Joining the long list of people that are unaware of flax seed benefits may not harm your health, but it certainly won't help it in the long run. Alpha Linolenic Acid, also know more commonly as ALA comes from flax seed, and is a fatty acid, which contains omega 3. Omega 3, as we are all aware of these days claims to offer some protection from coronary heart disease. Among a number of other benefits. I would make sense then, that including flax seen to your meal plan has the potential to up your health. In addition to heart protection, a healthier colon is another benefit that can be derived by including a little flax.
Of course, not all flax seed available to the consumer is created equal. Organic products are quite popular, and it does make sense to buy organic flax. If the seed is overly processed, than many of the desired benefits will be lost. None-organic seed, that has been over exposed in the production process, will simply lose many of the Omega 3s it would normally contain. Going organic is not necessarily a guarantee of quality flax seed, but it's a step in the right direction. Buying from a reputable retailer (online or offline) is a good place to start.
Multiple benefits have been attributed to flax seed, with varying degrees of research to back them up, but here are a few:
Flax seed can help as a laxative, thanks to the increase in dietary fiber it provides. One does have to be careful with the dosage here, as too much fiber in anyone's can have the reverse desired effect. Drinking extra water during the day, is generally recommended as part of an increased flax seed regimen. There have been some studies done, to suggest that flax seed, and more specifically the omega 3 fatty acids found within may aid with the shrinkage of some cancerous tumors. Specifically some breast and prostrate cancers. Diabetes sufferers can benefit from a little extra flax in their diet, as it supposedly stabilizes the level of blood sugar in the body.
A word of warning though, as with any new food, it's good to error on the side of moderation when trying it out. Too much of a good thing, can actually be a bad thing. Flax seed does contain hydrogen cyanide, which when over consumed can actually be toxic. If our unsure, it's always best to consult with your own personal doctor before changing your diet.
While flax seed is not exactly a savory item to be adding to your menu, there are a few simple ways to include it. I actually find it rather bland and tasteless, which would explain why many people simply sprinkle it on foods they already eat. Sprinkling it on your cereal, sandwiches, muffins, or salads is one rather subtle way of introducing it. Cooking with it in other more savory dishes or baking it into your favorite baked goods is a simple way to give everyone in the family a little more healthy food.
Flax Seed Benefits Of
Doctors generally believe that the best way to treat mood, thought, and memory disorders is with pharmaceutical medicines that directly influence levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. Although drugs have very important clinical uses, they are only part of the solution. A comprehensive approach to treating cognitive disorders should include foods and supplements that benefit the overall health of brain cells. These include omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish.
One way to influence brain health through diet is to consume the right fats and oils. About 60 percent of the brain consists of lipids (fats) which make up the lining, or cell membrane, of every brain cell. The types of fats present in the brain influence its structure and function. How well your mind works depends, in the long run, on what you eat.
Combating Eye Disease with Flaxseed
Another study has found that omega-3 fatty acids, and by extension, flaxseed, can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which is an eye disease that destroys vision by damaging nerve cells in the eye. The results of a Harvard study, published in August 2001 in the Archives of Ophthalmology, showed that people with a high intake of omega-6 (vegetable oils) were more likely to develop macular degeneration, while those with a combination of lower omega-6 intake and high omega-3 intake were less likely to have the disease.
Flaxseed has recently gained attention in the area of cardiovascular disease primarily because it is the richest known source of both alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the phytoestrogen, lignans, as well as being a good source of soluble fiber. Human studies have shown that flaxseed can modestly reduce serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, reduce postprandial glucose absorption, decrease some markers of inflammation, and raise serum levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid.
The flax plant, an ancient crop, yields the fiber from which linen is woven, as well as seeds and oil. The oil, also called linseed oil, has many industrial uses, it is an important ingredient in paints, varnishes, and linoleum, for example. Flaxseed oil also comes in an edible form, sold mostly at health-food stores. Like olive, canola, and most other plant oils, it is highly unsaturated and heart-healthy.
Both Chris Campbell & Tiara James are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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