Health Vitamins and Minerals Guide

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Flaxseed is the most highly concentrated plant source of alpha linolenic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid similar to that found in salmon and other fatty fish therefore providing an alternative to vegetarians to get omega 3 fatty acids in their diet. Flaxseed has been shown in many studies to offer heart healthy benefits by lowering total and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). It may also help lower triglycerides and blood pressure as well as keep platelets from becoming sticky reducing the chance of a heart attack.
Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

Flax Seed Oil Benefits For The Skin

Many skin problems today such as acne, eczema and psoriasis may also be partly due to the fact that the modern diet is lacking in omega 3 essential fatty acids. As a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids flax seed is able to replenish the correct body levels of these fats and so benefit skin disorders that may result from a deficiency.

Patrick Holford says in his book “New Optimum Nutrition Bible”, “Another important component of a good skin diet is the Omega 3 and 6 essential fats. Each cell membrane - in effect the skin of each cell - is composed partly of essential fats, and in turn your skin is made up of countless cells. So the fatty acid content of your cell membranes is vital. Not only do the essential fats keep cell membranes smooth and soft, but also they help the membranes to do a better job of controlling what goes in and out of the cells. Without enough fats in the cell membranes, they are not able to retain water and they lose their plumpness. So for soft skin, include plenty of essential fat rich foods in your diet such as fish, nuts and seeds and their oils. Have seeds in salads, as snacks or ground up, and on cereals, yogurt or soups” (Holford, P. “New Optimum Nutrition Bible”)

The positive effects and excellent benefits of flaxseed seem to be never-ending. But realize that the benefits of flaxseed oil are still being tested and proven – what seems to work for one person may not work for another. Also realize the potential of negative effects (of course, for many, the high chance of positive effects greatly outweighs the low chance of negative effects).
Recently small studies of cancer patients who consumed flaxseeds have produced some encouraging results. In one study men with prostate cancer who ate an ounce of ground flaxseeds (almost three tablespoons) a day as part of a very-low-fat diet were able to slow the progress of their cancers between the time they were diagnosed and the time of surgery. A similar study of women awaiting surgery for breast cancer found that those who ate a flaxseed muffin daily (with about four tablespoons of ground flaxseeds per muffin) had a slower tumor growth rate. Studies of animals, too, suggest some anti-cancer benefit from flaxseed. But it’s always difficult to know whether it’s the lignans that help, or some other element in the flaxseeds. And not all studies have yielded positive results.

With high amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber which helps keep the bowels moving regularly to rid the body of the toxins that can lead to diseases, it is a great benefit to gastronomical health. Research has shown that flax seed oil attaches itself to toxic bacteria protecting sensitive mucous membranes of the colon and gastric intestinal tract as the bacteria passes through them. This action is believed to deter the ability of toxic bacteria to produce cancerous tumors in the gastric intestinal tract and colon.

Counter inflammation associated with gout, lupus and fibrocystic breasts: Omega-3 fatty acids appear to limit the inflammatory reaction associated with these conditions. In cases of lupus, flaxseed oil not only reduces inflammation in the joints, skin and kidneys, but also lowers cholesterol levels that may be elevated by the disease. Taking flaxseed oil for gout may lessen the often sudden and severe joint pain or swelling that is a symptom of this condition. In addition, the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to boost the absorption of iodine–a mineral often found in low levels in women suffering from fibrocystic breasts–makes flaxseed oil potentially valuable for treating this often painful condition.

Flax seed oil is undoubtedly one of the best sources of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid, and another important fact is that, it has the ideal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. Flax seed oil is the world’s richest vegetable source of Omega-3 fatty acid and is suitable for vegetarian diets. It has a pleasant nutty flavor and contains no cholesterol. Although both fish oil and flax seed oil are high in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, flax seed oil is a much suitable supplement for vegetarians and recommended for those who have high blood pressure.

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