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Flax Seed: New Dietary Supplement or Ancient Miracle Medicine?

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Flax seed is the richest plant form of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to reducing the risk of cancer. It is a grain much like oat and wheat, however, its nutritional value is far superior and it is also high in fiber. Most of the flax seed that you’ll find on the market is grown in Canada and although a lot of people don’t know much about it, it is considered one of the original “health” foods. Flax Seed has been used as a healing “medicine” dating back to as early as the Roman Empire.

If flax seed is so good, how come everyone doesn’t know about it? Although studies have shown the benefits of incorporating flax seed into our daily diet, the shelf life of flax seed isn’t long. Once a container of flax seed oil or flax seed meal is opened it must be kept in a refrigerator to keep it from going rancid. Because of this, many people choose to buy flax seed oil in capsules to take as a supplement or, alternatively, buy the flax seeds they can then grind themselves in a coffee and spice mill. Grinding only as much as you need will keep the flax seed fresh longer and avoid spoilage.

Benefits of Flax Seed

Many studies have been conducted on flax seed to define the health benefits. A Duke University study showed that flax seed was effective in reducing the size and aggressiveness of tumors in mice that had developed prostate cancer by genetically engineered means. As many as 3 percent of the mice did not get the cancer at all while taking the flax seed diet.

Many women suffer serious menopausal symptoms as the body experiences hormonal swings. Taking hormones to offset the side effects of menopause is either not desirable or not an option for some women. Flax seed contains phytoestrogens, which is a natural plant based estrogen that helps to keep a woman’s hormones in balance as she goes through the change. This offers hope of a more natural way to get through menopause.

Flax seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, shown to help lower the risk of heart attacks by providing a lubricant for the arteries. It also helps to reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Benefits of a flax seed rich diet are:

• Helps promote cardiovascular health
• High source of fiber and acts as a natural lubricant to the intestines
• Helps to reduce constipation
• Improves immunity to help reduce colds and flu
• Provides important fats that build brain function in babies when mothers take it during pregnancy and while nursing
• Helps to stabilize blood sugar
• Helps promote healthy skin and aids in clearing acne, eczema and
  psoriasis
• Because flax seed is high in fiber and has zero carbs, it can actually
  aid in weight loss when used in foods
• Helps decrease inflammation and may be beneficial to people with
  rheumatoid arthritis
• Flax seed oil contains lignans and phytoestrogens which help reduce the
  symptoms of menopause in some women
• Flax seed oil helps heal the inner lining of the intestines, and may give
  relief to those with Colitis and Chron’s disease.

Using Flax Seed

Flax seed is available in several forms. How you use it depends on personal choice, however, some forms are easier to use than others.

Since flax seed has a slightly nutty taste, sprinkling the whole seed on salads, in soups or in muffins will give a crunchy, nutty flavor. However, whole seeds don’t digest the same way meal or oil does. Whole seeds pass through the digestive tract, preventing the intestines from absorbing most of the nutrients.

Flax seed meal can be purchased already ground or you can grind it yourself. There are many uses for flax seed meal in cooking. Adding a tablespoon or two to hot or cold cereal or sprinkling it on salads and soup not only enhances the foods flavor, but it adds nutritional value. Adding a tablespoon to yogurt is also a great way to start the day. You can easily add a quarter cup of flax seed meal to any recipe by exchanging 1/4 cup of flour for 1/4 cup of flax seed meal.

For people who are lowering their egg intake, you can replace one egg with 1 tablespoon of flax seed meal and 2 tablespoons of water. Please note that the consistency of the food might change slightly.

Flax seed oil capsules are also available as a daily supplement for people who either don’t want to add it to food or don’t enjoy the taste of it. It is also available as an oil substitute in cooking and can easily replace higher fat oils in salads and baking.

Any way you incorporate flax seed into your daily diet, you’ll gain tremendous health benefits from it. Whether you’re concerned about eating heart healthy foods, are approaching menopause and want a natural way to alleviate symptoms or you want to help maintain your overall health, flax seed can be a great addition to your diet.