Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds. In fact, linseed or "flax seed" are different names for the same seed. Flaxseeds are a great source of dietary fiber; minerals like manganese, thiamine and magnesium; and plant-based protein.
Flax is one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid (or ALA), in the world. Another unique fact about flaxseeds is that they are the source of lignans in the human diets; flaxseed contain about seven times as many lignans as the closest runner-up, sesame seeds.