2015-10-26
Joybynature.com Team
Oct
26

 

Flax also known as common flax or linseed is a food fiber crop that grows in the cooler regions around the world. This plant is useful in many ways. It is used to make textile and cloth called linen which is made from the fiber taken from the steams of this plant which is two to three times stronger than cotton fiber. Flax seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. The oil produced from flax seeds is called Flaxseed Oil or linseed oil has multiple uses. This vegetable oil is an edible oil which is extracted from dried, ripened seeds of flax plant. It not only an edible oil, but is also used to drying oil finishing, as varnish in wood finishing, as a pigment binder in oil paints and also to dry up putty quickly. Linseed oil is considered as a nutritional supplement being a rich source of alpha Linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). This oil also contains omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Just like fish oil, flaxseed oil is triglyceride, thus making it a vegetarian substitute of fish oil. Here is a quick view on the conditions, for which flaxseed oil can be used.

1. High Cholesterol

Flaxseed is one of the main ingredients of Mediterranean diet which makes special emphasize on health fats and maintains a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 acids. Following Mediterranean diet increases the HDL (good cholesterol) in the body and helps to keep the heart healthy and arteries unblocked.

2. Heart disease

People who eat fiber rich food and include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and dry fruits, in their diet along with alpha Linolenic acid (ALA) rich food are less prone to heart diseases. In order to stay healthy and fit and keep heart diseases at the bay, it is suggested that people should eat food that is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (like omega-3 fatty acids). ALA makes the platelets less sticky and reduces swelling. ALA also lowers high blood pressure.

3. Constipation

Adding linseed oil to your daily diet can help to treat the constipation problem. Alternatively you can also add flaxseeds in your daily diet , being rich in dietary fiber, it gives the digestive system a lot of roughage helping to clear the intestines easily and in a healthy fashion.

4. Cancer

Studies have shown that consumption of flaxseed oil can help to prevent breast tumors growth. Some researches also suggest that it might also help to prevent and treat colon and prostrate cancer.

5. Sjogren
s syndrome

Sjogren
s syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the your own immune system and antibodies attack moisture producing glands in the body like salivary glands and tear glands. It is suggested that including a teaspoon of flaxseed per day helps to improve the symptoms like dry amongst people suffering from Sjogrens syndrome.

6. Menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps

Flaxseeds have hormone balancing lignans and plant estrogens which help to balance the hormonal imbalance usually seen in women when they are about to attain menopause. It is also beneficial to soothe periods related problems like abdominal cramps.

7. Skin related issues

Being rich in fatty acids, flaxseed oil is useful to treat skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis. Flaxseed oil helps to soothe itchy, flaky and red skin. It also helps to heal the sunburn and side effects caused by sun burn. Applying flaxseed oil before exposing oneself to the sun prevents the skin from harmful UV rays thus reducing the chances of skin cancer and other skin related diseases. It also promotes the good health of hair relieving the flaky and itchy scalp.

Oily fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which promote good health of heart and overall body. But many people were unable to gain benefits from the oily fish being strict and pure vegetarians. Some people are allergic to fish hence cod liver oil capsules were not an option for them either. But Flaxseed oil capsules is the best alternative that would expose them to almost same goodness. To know more about flaxseed oil capsules, click here. You can also consume this oil in softgel form.

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