by Colette Georgii

Created on: June 06, 2007   Last Updated: April 04, 2009

The health benefits of flaxseed

Flaxseed is a very beneficial herb that protects against heart disease by lowering cholesterol. Flaxseed lowers total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol).

Flaxseed also protects against dry eye syndrome, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes; promotes bone health; and reduces inflammation due to asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis.

Flaxseed is high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals and due to the omega -3 fatty acids it is also high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Other nutrients available in Flaxseed are manganese, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus, Vitamin B6, and lignan phytonutrients.

Flaxseed comes three ways - oil, crushed, and whole. The best way to take Flaxseed is crushed. Whole seeds could pass through the system without digesting, so if you have whole seeds, which can be purchased raw or in bulk, you should crush them either in a coffee grinder or food processor. They should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will last a few months. Flaxseed once it is crushed can spoil quickly if not stored properly.

If you use Flaxseed Oil which might work faster it is very important to keep it refrigerated and out of the sun because it spoils quickly. Usually it comes in dark containers and is found in the refrigerated area of your local health food store, natural food cooperative, or whole foods market.

The recommended daily dose of flaxseed for adults is 1.1 to 1.6 grams (1 tblspn) per day.

Ways to use raw crushed Flaxseed are

* add to hot or cold cereal (1 tblspn)

* add to mayonnaise or mustard when making a sandwich (1 tspn)

* add 1 tblspn to 8 ounces yogurt

* bake into cookies, muffins, breads, etc.

* sprinkle on your popcorn

* use in place of eggs in baked goods, pancakes, etc.

* use in place of fish

* add to breakfast shake

* sprinkle on cooked vegetables

* add 1 tblspn to smoothie

Flaxseed originated in Mesopotamia and has been around since the Stone Age. Flaxseed use was very popular in Greece and Rome but with the fall of Rome its use diminished, however Charlemagne brought Flaxseed back and introduced it to Europe.
The scientific name for Flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum, which means useful.

The best flaxseed is an organic or natural product. Look for organic flaxseed at your local health food store, natural foods cooperative, or whole foods market.

References:

www.whfoods.org
www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/ANO1258

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