Flaxseed is a whole grain that can be found in health food stores and some supermarkets. It can be sprinkled on food, or is sometimes used in baked goods, such as muffins or bread.

What is So Special with Flaxseed?

Flaxseed contains a substance called alpha linolenic acids. Alpha linolenic acid is omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Omega 3 fatty acid is a type of essential fatty acid, which can only be acquired from food.

Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flaxseed is also rich in another substance called lignan, which is a type of phytoestrogen and also provides fiber.

Flaxseeds and Cholesterol

Flaxseeds can help lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure. Several studies indicate that flaxseed oil, as well as ground flaxseeds, can lower cholesterol, thereby significantly reducing the risk of heart disease. Flaxseed oil may also have a protective effect against angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure. In addition, a 5-year study done recently at Boston's Simmons College found that flaxseed oil may be useful in preventing a 2nd heart attack. It may also help prevent elevated blood pressure by inhibiting inflammatory reactions that cause poor circulation and artery-hardening plaque.

Good food, no magic bullet

All plant foods, including flax, have good things to offer. Garlic, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, legumes, and whole grains all have a range of beneficial chemicals. If you want to add flaxseeds to your diet, that's a good idea. But if cheeseburgers are your main source of calories, adding flaxseeds won't help much.

Known as linseed in Europe, flaxseed is prized by health-conscious eaters everywhere due to its abundant omega-3 fatty acid content. Small, oval-shaped flaxseeds come from the flax plant, which is grown in European countries, including France, Belgium, Russia, and Germany. In the United States, flaxseeds are primarily produced in Montana, Minnesota, Texas, and the Dakotas.