| The
Fabulous Flax Seed
By Tracy
Rohland
As nutritional awareness and health maintenance become increasingly
popular, foods that were once staples of the human diet are
being “rediscovered” for their incredible health
benefits. One of these incredible foods is the flax seed.
Familiar as it is among patrons of the natural food market,
flax has yet to gain familiar ground in mainstream circles.
Even those who take flax on a regular basis may be unaware
of the extensive health benefits the small seed has to offer.
Often the person doesn’t understand exactly why they
should drink a spoonful of this marvelous oil everyday. The
following is a brief overview of the wide-ranging benefits
of the flax seed:
Flax is most noted for containing high amounts
of Alpha-Linolenic acid, a precursor to the omega-3 fatty
acid. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that can only be
obtained through diet. Without enough of these “good
fats” in the diet, the body has to use saturated fats
to construct cell membranes. Saturated fats are much more
solid, and cause a great deal of stress on the heart and arteries.
Many people, Americans in particular, are deficient in Omega
3 fatty acids. This deficiency has been linked to high cholesterol,
diabetes, and heart disease. By incorporating flax into one’s
diet and therefore increasing the intake of Omega-3s, a person
can do wonders for his or her body.
Research has shown Omega 3 oils
to be beneficial for the following ailments:
•
Arthritis: Omega 3 oils have been shown to lead to the production
of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
•
Diabetes: Omega 3 oils restore insulin sensitivity, helping
the body maintain normal blood sugar levels.
•
Multiple Sclerosis: Omega 3s play a critical role in maintaining
the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves.
•
Atherosclerosis: Omega 3s have been shown to break down cholesterol
in the blood vessel linings and raise HDL (“good cholesterol”).
•
A.D.D.: In many tests, children with attention disorders have
been shown to be deficient in Omega 3s. Supplementing with
flax has helped improve their concentration.
•
Skin problems: Flax oil, taken internally, has been shown
to improve skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
It works as an “internal moisturizer,” restoring
shine and vibrancy to skin.
Besides containing Alpha Linolenic acid, flax also contains
lignans. Lignans are found in the seed meal of flax and have
been proven to have strong anti-cancer properties. In fact,
flax contains 100 times more lignans than the next best source,
wheat bran. A diet including flax supports normal cell development
and minimizes the damage to cells due to carcinogens.
Top
of page
|
