The Many Benefits of Flaxseeds

The Many Benefits of Flaxseeds a FREE article
By Jennifer Gruenemay, LifeScript Staff Writer

Flaxseeds have a long history of medicinal use, being traced back to the ancient Babylonians who dwelled
over 5,000 years ago. The earliest mention of flaxseeds in recorded history occurred in 650 B.C. when
Hippocrates wrote about the benefits of flaxseeds for easing abdominal pains. Today, these seeds are cultivated
both for use in the textile industry and as a nutritional aide. Nutritionally speaking, flaxseeds are known to be
a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, both of which have demonstrated the power to combat
heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Why Flaxseed is Good for You
As a natural source of fiber and one of the easiest ways to supplement your diet essential fatty acids, flaxseeds
are becoming a pantry staple in many health-conscious consumers’ homes.

One of the greatest benefits of flaxseeds and flaxseed oil is that they are a good source of omega-3s, which
is a type of essential fatty acid.

The key word to remember here is “essential,” which means that the body is incapable of producing this
compound on its own.

Therefore, it must rely on dietary intake to receive proper amounts of this health-promoting nutrient.

Proper intake of omega 3 fatty acids is essential to good health.

Unfortunately, the typical American diet, which is low in fish and rarely includes flaxseeds, does not
provide sufficient amounts of this essential fat, making supplementation almost mandatory.

Will you notice a difference in your health if you do not get enough omega 3s in your diet?

It’s possible, since dry skin, hair and nails are all signs of an omega 3 deficiency.

What you may not notice due to a lack of essential omega 3 fatty acids in your diet is what is even more
important – the health of your heart.

Proper intake of omega 3s, which can easily be achieved by eating more fatty fish and flaxseeds, has been
shown to lower both cholesterol and blood pressure, which helps to protect against heart disease.

Since heart disease is currently ranked as the #1 killer of both men and women in the U.S., eating more
flaxseeds and fatty fish would be an intelligent preventative measure to take against this deadly killer.

More Benefits of Flaxseeds
Not only do flaxseeds provide heart-healthy omega 3s, but they also are a rich source of lignans,
a specialized type of fiber.

Lignans have phytochemical-like properties that may fight colon, prostate, breast, and
skin cancers, as well as ease some of the symptoms of menopause.

Flaxseeds are the most abundant source of lignans, boasting up to 800 times more than other foods.

Flaxseeds have also been found to:

- Have anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in the treatment of lupus and gout.

- Dissolve gallstones.

- Strengthen and fortify hair, nail and skin, as well as speed the healing of skin lesions.

- Help clear up acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and even help heal sunburns more quickly.

- Facilitate nerve impulses, which may prove to be useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy,
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

- Relieve constipation and diverticulosis.

- Regulate mood and decrease the tendency toward depression.

If you want to start experiencing the many benefits of flaxseeds, take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil
a day and sprinkle flaxseeds on your yogurt and salads.

Make sure to keep flaxseed oil cold and stored in an opaque container to avoid damage from light and heat.

Do not cook with flaxseeds, since heat destroys their beneficial effect.

Some people are allergic to flaxseeds, so if you have a tendency toward food allergies, please use
caution if trying flaxseeds for the first time.

More Benefits of Flax
What is flax?

Flax is one of the most ancient of useful herbs. Its Latin name, Linum usitatissimum, means "most useful."
Flaxseed excavated from ancient Greek archeological sites has been dated back to 1900 to 1700 B.C., and
the use of flaxseed is inscribed on tablets at Pylos. Both the Greek historian Thucydides and the Roman Pliny
mention the use of flax for food. In fact, so impressed with this gift of nature Pliny wrote, "What department
is to be found in active life in which flax is not employed?" Of flax Bartholomew had this to say, "None herbe
is so needfull to so many dyurrse uses to mankynde as is the flexe." And Dioscorides extolled flaxseed's
power for "mollifying all inflammation inwardly and outwardly." Hippocrates encouraged the use of flaxseed
for the relief of abdominal pains, while Theophrastus recommended flax mucilage as a cough remedy.
Hildegarde of Bingen used flax meal in hot compresses for the treatment of both external and internal ailments.

The value of flax to these early cultures is reflected in the rich folklore that surrounds the plant. Flax was believed
to be a blessed plant; one that could bring good fortune and restore health. French leader Charlemagne, so
impressed with the herb's culinary, medicinal, and domestic usefulness, passed laws and regulations requiring
its cultivation and consumption. Flax was much loved and widely cultivated throughout Europe after that,
and its cultivation and use continued to expand to other lands and cultures.