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Flax seed, also known as
linseed, is noted to have high nutritional value, making it a priority choice of
food for health conscious people. Flax seed has the natural properties of fiber,
lignans and omega-3
fatty acids that provide
preventative and restorative abilities to your diet. There are two types
 of
flax seed. One type is grown for the seed use and considered an oil seed
variety. The other is grown specifically for fiber production to be utilized in
the texture industry.
Even though flax seed has been
around since the dawn of civilization, it is more recently that mainstream
society is beginning to understand its relevance to a healthy life.
Nutritionists, physicians, and health conscious individuals are quickly becoming
passionate about the health benefits of flax seed.
The
health benefits of Flaxseed are as follows.
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Richest
source of omega fatty acids and
lignans (potent cancer fighters)
known in nature. The immune-enhancing
omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9 are balanced in the combination your body
requires for optimal health. Also loaded with vitamins and phytonutrients,
and an excellent source of protein and fiber, flaxseed is nature's gift to
health!
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Provides
improved Immune Function-
Immunity is the body's ability to defend itself successfully against foreign
substances. The alpha linolenic acid, as well as the lignans, decreases
inflammation and promotes healthy functioning of the immune system. Flax
seed may be useful to manage autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.
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Weight
Management -
research indicates that including flaxseed in your daily diet can help you
manage your weight. Besides
stabilizing your sugar levels, flax expands five times in bulk when
ingested. Flax taken half an hour before meals will help you eat less, so
you will lose weight while simultaneously strengthening your immune system.
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Affect
on Hormone Levels
- Flax seed, with its high concentration of lignans, is a
great choice for all women, whether younger, middle-aged, or older, as
a natural way to normalize
the menstrual cycle, manage menopause, and lower the risk of osteoporosis,
cancer and heart disease. Intake of flaxseed on a daily basis results
in hormonal changes that are beneficial to women of all ages. In
menstruating women who consumed 10 grams (about 2 teaspoons) of flax
seed on a daily basis, significant hormonal changes have
resulted. These changes are similar to those seen after consumption of
soy isoflavones. Positive effects included fewer cycle changes, along
with a reduction in ovarian disfunction. This, in turn, may decrease
the development of breast and other cancers. As women reach menopause,
the level of estrogens in their body decreases. This not only gives
rise to menopausal symptoms, but also increases the risk of disease, including
cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In post-menopausal women the
protective effects of lignans is due primarily to their estrogenic
activity. Lignans have even been proposed as an alternative to
hormone-replacement therapy in post-menopausal women. |
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Adding just
1/8-1/4 cup of flaxseed to your daily diet can help reduce the
risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and
assists with healthy weight management.
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Protection
against bone loss - Daily
dietary intake of flaxseed offers protection against bone loss, may increase
bone density, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
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Flax
seeds have Anti-cancer Effects - Extensive studies on both breast
and colon cancer indicate that flax seed may play an important role in
cancer treatment, as well as prevention. A breast cancer prevention program
done at the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Toronto Hospital, involving
50 women diagnosed with breast cancer revealed that- while waiting for
surgery, half of the women received muffins containing 25 grams of
milled flax seed daily while the other half received ordinary muffins. The
women who received the flax seed muffins had slower-growing tumours compared
to the other group.
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Flax
seeds help Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease - It aids in
decreasing the so-called "bad" cholesterol. Increase the
"good" cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, suppresse the
development of atherosclerosis and inflammation, and enhances blood vessel
tone. Researchers at the University of Toronto found that total blood
cholesterol levels dropped by 9% and LDL ("bad" cholesterol)
decreased by 18% when a group of nine healthy women added flax seeds to
their regular diets. The women ate 50 grams of milled flax seed a day for
four weeks |
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Seed
for Fiber - The benefits of flaxseed in
its whole seed form far surpass those of flax oil because freshly ground
seed includes the fiber content that is so vital to maintaining digestive
health. The insoluble fibre in flax
seed is helpful in regulating bowel movements, increasing the frequency of
bowel movements, and preventing or treating bowel irregularities and
constipation. Soluble fibre is helpful in lowering blood cholesterol levels
as well as lowering blood sugar levels (important for people suffereing from
diabetes). |
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Flavor
enhancer - The light, nutty taste of flax seed enhances the
flavour of food, and adds nutritional value to your diet. Flax seed may be
eaten on its own, sprinkled on cereal, popcorn, and salads, or added to
oatmeal, yogurt, and blender drinks. Adding flax seed to baked goods adds
flavour, extra texture, and good nutrition. Milled flax seed may be baked
into a variety of products including breads, pancakes, bagels, muffins, and
cookies. |
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Look
for a brand that has been certified organic - If
you opt for oil or capsules, make sure the oil is expeller-pressed (also
called "cold-pressed"). Expeller-pressed seeds produce the
highest-quality flax oils. But most importantly, look for the lignans.
Milled flax is by far your best source of lignans, but if you prefer oil or
capsules, the bottle should state "with lignans" clearly on the
label. |
Above are the reasons why Flax
seed is gaining popularity among health and nutrition experts as well as
consumers. Start adding them to your diet, to derive better health.
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Developed
by
WF
Team
on 10th April 2003.
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