Flaxseed and its Many Benefits
Flax seed is a called the most powerful plant food known to mankind. It is attributed to help in the fight against such diseases as cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
Flax Seeds are rich in many compounds but the popularity of the seed is due to the omega-3 essential fatty acids, lignans and fiber. One tablespoon of flax seed has about 1.8 grams of omega-3 fatty acid. Lignan is known for its anti-oxidant properties and also for being a good source of plant estrogen. Flax seed is a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
The recent studies carried out in the field of health benefits of flax seeds have shown that it has protecting properties against many forms of cancer such as breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The plant omega-3 fatty acid has been found to slow down the tumor incidence and growth.
Lignans have been shown to provide protection against hormone sensitive cancers. Lignans may help against cancer by blocking the enzymes that are required for metabolizing the hormones and by hampering with the growth and spread of tumor cells.
Omega-3’s help in reducing the cardiovascular diseases by various methods such as the anti-inflammatory action and normalization of heart beats. It also helps in preventing the hardening of arteries and deposition of plaque in the arteries.
Omega-3 may also be helpful in alleviating arrhythmia and heart failure, since it helps regulating heart beats.
Daily consumption of flax seed may even help in controlling the cholesterol levels. This is because LDL has been attributed to increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The cholesterol-lowering effects of flax seed are the result of the combined benefits of omega 3 ALA; fiber and lignans.
Lignans have been shown to help control the diabetes by improving the blood sugar levels.
Omega-3 and Lignans have been seen to reduce the inflammation caused by disease such as Parkinson’s disease and asthma by blocking the release of pro-inflammatory agents.
Flax seed has been shown to help in reducing the instances of hot flashes by half when taken on a daily basis. The severity of the hot flashes also dropped by a huge percentage.
Flax seed can be taken in any of the forms available; flax seed, flax seed oil or the Lignans. It is safe to take 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed on a daily basis.
It is best to have it in the ground form for easy digestion and maximum benefits. Flax seed can be grinded at home and added to the foods that you eat regularly. It can be stored in the freezer, where it is kept from getting oxidized and losing its nutritional potency.
