Due to the ridiculous efficacy of organic flax seed oil, organic flax seed oil capsules and organic flax seed oil supplements, it is beyond the scope of this article to adequately illustrate the many benefits of the different variants of organic flax seed oil.
Flax seeds (also known as Linseeds) have been described by many as the new wonder food.
The flax plant is grown and harvested for its seeds and its fibers. Flax is definitely another wonder crop that is used in a variety of commercial products other than food including soap, fabric, fishing nets (who knew?), paper, medicines and hair gels.
The Science
Flax seeds are very high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, dietary fiber, and manganese and are a good source of vitamin B6, folate and the minerals magnesium, copper and phosphorous. While most non-vegetarians take fish oil supplements to get their Omega 3′s, flax seed oil is the best way for vegetarians to experience fish oil benefitsin a meat free way.
The Omega 3 Fatty Acids in organic flax seed oil are the “heart healthy” or “good fats”.
Organic flax seed and organic flax seed oil contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and other health conditions and contains a group of chemicals called lignans that are believed to play a role in the prevention and elimination of cancer.
Something I learned recently was that the Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils are essential fatty acids which can only be obtained from food sources and despite man’s best efforts, they cannot be synthesized.
Known Health Benefits of Flax Seed Oil
The following health benefits of flaxseed have been reported by not only the Canadian Council of Flax who cites supporting studies and references, but a myriad of other clinical studies:
• Arrhythmia
• Prostate cancer
• Blood pressure
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Asthma
• Heart health
• Depression
• Helps alleviate disorders of the colon (the colon is thought to be the initial staging source of cancer in the human body)
• Breast cancer
• Protect bone health
• Lowers blood pressure in men with high cholesterol
• Puts the brakes on prostate cancer growth
• Decreases inflammation
The lignans compounds found in flax seed have molecules that have been found to provide some protection against breast cancer.
Other health benefits denoted for women include: reduced dry eyes, reduced or eliminated hot flashes and help with ovulation and balancing of the hormones.
Lignan compounds also happen to be recognized as antioxidants and to be extremely beneficial for viral, fungal and bacterial infections. (Is there anything organic flax seed oil can’t do?)
Flax Seed Oil Pregnancy Benefits
If all of the benefits above weren’t enough, expectant mothers should also consider the added benefits that organic flax seed oil, organic flax seed oil capsules and organic flax seed oil supplements can have on the unborn child. The fatty acid supplements in organic flax seed oil have been shown to decrease stress levels, improve energy and strength and play a significant role in cognitive advancement and function.
But wait, there’s more……….
Want to know what the main ingredient is in the “Natural Diet for ADHD” and the diets developed to combat Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s?
You guessed it, organic flax seed oil, organic flax seed oil capsules and organic flax seed oil supplements.
I know what you are thinking, Vincent, that sounds great, but if it is so healthy, it’s gotta taste awful, right?
Truth be told, Wendy uses variations of organic flax seed, organic flax seed oil, organic flax seed oil capsules and organic flax seed oil supplements in not only her daily diet, but I recently found out that the kids and I had become the unknowing and unsuspecting new recruits in her quest to help us get and stay healthy. She has been incorporating the different variants of organic flax seed, organic flax seed oil, organic flax seed oil capsules and organic flax seed oil supplements into our daily meal plan without the kids and I knowing or complaining.
Here’s some of the ways that she uses it:
Oil in Dressings
Drizzle on toast w/ jelly instead of butter
Seeds lightly ground and put on salads (because of the nutty flavor, this is an excellent healthy salad topping)
Flax Meal as a substitute for flour (infinitely better than bleached white over processed flour that is stripped of all of its nutrients)
Add the seeds to homemade energy bars
Top oatmeal with it
And for the kids, she sneaks them into Rice Krispie treats, muffins, bread, cupcakes, cookies and virtually anything she can without the kids ever noticing or complaining. (They do lose some of the benefits when they are baked but they are still good for you)
Because it comes in so many different variations, there is sure to be a type that is right for you.
One thing to keep in mind, as always, we only advise USDA Certified Organic Flax Seed Oil products because they are “guaranteed” to not contain pesticides or to be genetically modified.
Try some today!
Your heart, body and mind will thank you!
Learn more about the benefits of fish oil!
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