Flax Seed Oil

The benefits of flax seed oil and flax seeds are being highly touted. Flax should definitely be included in any list of superfoods. Not only are these seeds fabulously healthy but they also boost your metabolism promoting weight loss.

There is nothing new about the benefits of flax seeds. They are one of the original health foods, valued for their healing properties. Flax was one of the original "medicines" used by the father of modern medicine, namely Hippocrates. Flax seed oil fell out of favor because oil producers found nutritious oils to be less profitable. The very elements that give flax oil its nutritional benefits - essential fatty acids - also give it a short shelf life, making it costlier to produce, transport, and store. However, because of new scientific studies validating the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in our diet, flax oil has regained some “main street” credibility.

You can get the nutritional benefits of flax oil by consuming a tablespoon of flax oil per day or 2 tablespoons of ground flax meal per day. The flax oil gel caps are convenient but you would have to take 6-8 per day and they seem to be more expensive. Aside from being a great source of omega 3's, flax oil is also a good source of omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA). Sunflower oil, safflower oil, and sesame oil are greater sources of omega 6 fatty acids, but unlike flax oil, those oils don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to the “good” fats, flax seeds also contain other nutrients which actually make eating the ground flax meal slightly superior to consuming just the oil. For example:

• Flax seeds contain a high quality protein.
• Flax seeds are rich in fibre. The combination of the oil and the fiber makes ground flax meal an ideal laxative.
• Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, C, E, and carotene. The seeds also contain iron, zinc, and trace amounts of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Flax seeds contain a significant amount of a very healthy phytonutrient, known as lignin. Other foods that have lignin include wheat bran, millet, oats, buckwheat, rye, and soybeans. Lignins seem to flush the body of excess estrogen and thereby reduce the incidence of estrogen-linked cancers, such as breast cancer.

As mentioned above, ground flax meal is slightly more nutritious than flax oil. However, for practical purposes, most people avoid the bother of having to grind the seeds and prefer to simply use the oil for its omega-3 fatty acid. But from a nutritional stand point it's worth the trouble to grind fresh flax seeds and sprinkle them as a seasoning on salads or cereals, or mix them into breads or muffins. When buying seeds, be sure they are whole and not split. Splitting of the hard outside coating of the flax sees exposes the inner seed to light and heat and decreases the nutritional value. Pre-ground flax seeds are also available. A single ounce of flaxseed meal (approximately 4 tbsp.) will yield a whopping 6 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.

Flax oil, flax seeds, and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for your health. Here are some of the specific ways flax oil will benefit your health. The following is a list of some of the benefits associated with supplementing your diet with flax oil or ground flax meal.

1. Flax oil promotes cardiovascular health. The ultra-high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Fish oils and algae are also good sources of essential fatty acids.
2. Flax oil provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important at the stage of life when a child's brain grows the fastest, in utero and during infancy. A prudent mom should consider supplementing her diet with a daily tablespoon of flax oil during her pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
3. Flax promotes healthy skin. Flax oil as a dietary supplement seems to help people who have dry skin or eczema, or whose skin is particularly sun-sensitive.
4. Ground Flax meal promotes colon health. Flax seeds have antioxident properties and, as a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, it lowers the risk of constipation.
5. Flax supplements can boost immunity. A research study showed that children supplemented with less than a teaspoon of flax oil per day had fewer and less severe respiratory infections than children not supplemented with flax oil.
6. Flax oil increases nutrient value of other foods. Flax oil taken with a meal can actually increase the nutritional value of other foods. Research shows that adding flax oil to foods rich in sulfated amino acids, such as yogurt, vegetables of the cabbage family, and animal, seafood, and soy proteins helps the essential fatty acids become incorporated into cell membranes. Mixing flax oil with yogurt helps to emulsify the oil, improving its digestion and metabolism by the body.
7. Flax may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.
8. Flax fat can help with weight loss. Fats high in essential fatty acids, such as flax oil or ground flax meal, increase the body's metabolic rate, helping to burn the excess, unhealthy fats in your body.

Eating the right kind of fat gives you a better chance of your body storing the right amount of fats. This process is called thermogenesis and is a process by which specialized fat cells throughout the body kick into high gear and burn more fat when activated by essential fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). A daily supplement of omega 3 fatty acids such as flax oil may be an important part of weight control programs.

Always remember flax oil is a rather fragile oil and can go rancid easily. For that reason extra care must be used when storing and using flax oil and flax meal. Follow the simple tips outlined below for safe and cost effective use and storage of flax oil or flax meal.

• Don't use flax oil for cooking. Oils high in essential fatty acids are not good for cooking. In fact, heating this oil can turn these healthy fats into harmful fats. Add flax oil to foods after cooking and just before serving.
• Healthy fats spoil quickly, with olive oil being an exception to the general rule. To prevent spoilage, follow these tips:
• Purchase only refrigerated flax oil stored in black opaque containers.
• Keep your flax oil in the refrigerator with the lid on tight. Minimize exposure to heat, light, and air.
• Because the oil is likely to turn rancid within six weeks of pressing, buy flax oil in smaller containers (8-12 ounces, depending on how fast you use it). Plan on a consumption rate of 1 tablespoon per day per member of the household.
• Only grind as much flax meal that you may consume at a given time
• Keep ground flax meal in the fridge.

While flax oil and or ground flax meal cannot be a substitute for a balanced and healthy diet, it certainly is a very important and beneficial supplement. I encourage everyone to take a daily flax oil supplement.

I hope you enjoyed this article.