| 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.
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