The Superfood Flaxseed

The flax seed carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains. Also the amount of fibre, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids in flax leaves grains in the dust.Additionally, it is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fibre content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance - many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied.

Aside from this information there are many other benefits to including flaxseed in your diet - which can be far more influential to health in general

Health Benefits of Flax Seed

Cholesterol - The consumption of flaxseed is associated with a reduction in total cholesterol, including the LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. Study after study has shown a positive response to eating ground flax seed daily. Eating low fat foods, increasing your exercise, limiting the salt, sugar and eating flax seed daily are a few ways that you can win the battle against high cholesterol.

Diabetes - Nutritionists are instructing their diabetic patients to eat flax daily. It has been discovered that the omega-3 fat and high fibre in flax may play a role in the fight against diabetes. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, participants who ate flaxseed bread had blood sugar levels 28% lower an hour after eating than their counterparts who ate bread made with wheat flour

Cancer - Flaxseed is high in lignans, up to 800 times the amount as in any tested plant food. Lignans (a phytoestrogen) have been called natural cancer fighters. Flax seed is also high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which has been found to be promising as a cancer fighting agent. The American National Cancer Institute has singled out flaxseed as one of six foods that deserve special study. Flax seed's high fibre aspect is also beneficial in the fight against colon cancer. Research has shown that increasing the amount of fibre in your diet reduces your colon-cancer risk. Flax seed, high in fibre, lignans, alpha linolenic acid, is a key player in the fight against cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Constipation - Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fibre. One ounce of flax provides 32% of our daily intake of fibre. It promotes regular bowel movements because it is high in insoluble fibre also it’s all natural fibre helps to absorb water, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass through the colon quickly. When adding fibre to your diet, it is important to make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. In the fight against constipation exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, drink eight glasses of water daily and add two to four tablespoons of flax to your daily regime!

Inflammation - Flax is high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids. That’s good news for people who suffer from inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. It is the inflammation within the joints that cause so much of the pain associated with arthritis. The January 1996 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the participants in a study that took flax oil daily reduced inflammatory responses by as much as 30%.

Menopausal Symptoms - Flax, like soy, is a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are oestrogen-like substances that are found in plants. Flax is the richest known plant source of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens act as a natural hormone therapy and help to stabilise hormonal levels. This stabilisation of hormonal levels helps to lessen the symptoms of menopause.

Heart Disease - Heart disease, the number one killer in Ireland, has claimed the lives of too many of our family and friends. Years of a sedentary lifestyle, supersize meals and processed foods has finally caught up with us. Numerous studies have been done on the effect of flax on heart disease, yielding many positive findings. Flax has been found to help reduce total cholesterol, LDL levels (the bad cholesterol), triglycerides. Flax helps to reduce clotting time and thereby reduces the chance for heart attacks and strokes. Regular intake of flax protects against arrhythmias and helps keep the arteries clear and pliable.

Immune System - Research has found that eating flax daily favourably affects immunity, the body’s ability to defend itself successfully against bacteria and viruses. Two components of flax, lignans and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), have been found to affect immune cells and compounds that control immune reaction.

Depression - Preliminary research suggests that eating a diet rich in flax could slash your risk of ever feeling “down in the dumps”. Follow up studies show that just 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily can help up to 2/3rds of severely depressed women bounce back within eight weeks. Flax has a mood boosting ingredient: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential for the proper function of brain cells, yet up to 85% of women aren’t getting enough of it. Early research notes that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be important for brain development. More research is needed in the area of flax and its relation to depression and brain function, however preliminary research is very promising.

Remember

It's tempting to think of flax seed as a super food due to so many potential health benefits. But keep in mind there is no magic food or nutrient that guarantees improved health.What matters is consistently making great dietary choices as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Flaxseed can be bought in seed form, in ground powder or in oil form