What Is Flax and Flaxseed Oil?
Flaxseed oil comes from the seeds of the flax plant. Generally, a flaxseed is about 40% oil by weight. Of this oil, 55% of it is omega-3 fatty acid.
Flax is unique because, traditionally, the oil hasn’t been used much. The seed, however, has been used whole, cracked, or ground into flour then used in baked products. Flax has attracted nutritionists and those seeking a healthier diet because it has a high fiber content and it is rich in potassium.
After the oil is extracted from the flax seed, the “leftovers” are often fed to the livestock. An interesting side note is that the use of whole flax seed as food for chickens has increased in recent years because of the omega-3 properties.
It Has Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are really good for your heart and one tablespoon of flaxseed oil has over 7,100 milligrams! The alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed oil is also noteworthy. ALA is a form of omega-3 that is very good for you eye health.
Overall, omega-3 fatty acids are important for your heart and brain health, they also help to reduce inflammation, which may lower your risk of certain chronic disease that can be made worse by inflammation.
Is Flaxseed Oil the Same as Linseed Oil?
There has been some confusion between these. Flaxseed oil is also called as linseed oil.
As you can know about linseed oil.
Linseed oil comes from flax seeds. Flax is commercially important crop grown in cooler climates of the world. In fact, it is the oldest crop to be grown on earth. Flax is named Linum usitatissimum, second part of which translates into ” the most useful”. Flax plant was revered in ancient civilizations for its diverse uses. Flax seeds make a healthy inclusion in diet. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and in dietary fiber, great for people with constipation issues.
What Makes Flaxseed Oil So Beneficial?
Flaxseed oil is a potent plant-derived cocktail that contains a range of different components, each of which seems to offer health-giving benefits. The most important of these are:
Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA)
Around 50% to 60% of each seed is made up of an omega 3 oil called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is responsible for many of its health benefits.
While ALA in itself has health benefits, its greatest impact tends to stem from what the body can turn ALA into. Traditionally ALA has been seen as a precursor to two polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) known as Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). These are the same fatty acids found in fish oils, which help to provide a wealth of different health benefits.
For example, a group of women was provided with a flaxseed oil supplement for four weeks. After the experiment blood samples were taken to assess increases in the volumes of both EPA and DHA. Interestingly the experts found that the ALA led to increases in EPA “but had no effect on… DHA contents”.
Lignans
Lignans are a group of polyphenols believed to offer antioxidant benefits. However, lignans also belong to a group of chemicals known as “phytoestrogens” that mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. Flaxseeds are thought to be the number one plant source of lignans. In fact, they contain 7 times as many lignans as sesame seeds and over 300 times more than sunflower seeds.
Dietary Fibre
Being rich in fibre, flaxseeds (and flaxseed oil) can also help to support a healthy digestive system and to control glucose balance within the body.
Apart from above, there are many more multiple benefits of using flaxseed oil. Here are few flaxseed oil benefits.
Benefits of flaxseed oil
For Celiac disease or have gluten-sensitivity
For those who have Celiac disease or have gluten-sensitivity, then you don’t need to worry to consume flaxseed oil as it contains gluten-free. This is very great as you can prevent allergies. Moreover, flax has anti-inflammatory effects which can boost the benefit of consuming it for sure.
Improves Gut Health
What is even better with flaxseed oil? As it has a lot of antioxidant properties. At this point, flax seeds have lignans which are unique fiber-related polyphenols that are good for balancing the hormones and preventing earlier aging. Also, lignans act as anti-viral and antibacterial properties and the presence of polyphenols will promote the growth of probiotics in the gut. As a result, it will help to protect the digestion system as well. Therefore, you should consume regularly flaxseed oil, as it will give you numerous benefits then.
Reduces Inflammation
As described before, flaxseed oil contains the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which contribute to promoting the body health. It is known that the presence of omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation in the body. As a result, you can prevent the risks of diseases related to inflammation such as arthritis and other respiratory problems. Therefore, as flaxseed oil can help you to boost the healthy life, it will be worth to take it regularly.
Promotes Weight Loss
If you want to have the healthy diet, then choosing flaxseed oil for the consumption is a good way. It is known that flaxseed oil works as a natural laxative. It helps to lubricate the colon and promote the healthy digestion system. Indeed, it helps to detoxify the body and excess weight. Generally, flaxseed oil can help to lose some weight as well as reducing inflammation. Therefore, for those who want to keep the healthy track while doing a diet, then having flaxseed oil is very recommended.
Promotes Digestive Health
One of the excellent health benefits of drinking flaxseed oil is to promote the work of digestion system. As all know that flaxseed oil has the positive result in treating constipation and stopping diarrhea. This is very good to boost the healthy digestion system for sure. It will help to prevent the risks of constipation which is the common diseases of the digestive system. For the tips, to keep the digestive system healthy, you can consume fiber foods together with flaxseed oil. Then, you can be free from the risks of digestive problems.
Lowers Cholesterol Level
The great thing comes from flaxseed oil is its ability to lower the level of cholesterol in the body. In this case, flaxseed oil generally will use the excess cholesterol in the blood to be excreted through the digestive system. This benefit is linked to the presence of soluble fiber in flaxseeds. As a result, as you can control the cholesterol level, then you can also protect the healthy heart as well. Thus, as you know the amazing health benefits of consuming flaxseed oil, then you can start to consume it regularly.
Promotes Heart Health
As all know that by consuming flaxseed oil helps to treat heart diseases. At this point, due to the presence of alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseed oil, then it is beneficial to reduce the risk or heart attack. Indeed, the regular consumption of flaxseed oil will help to prevent all heart diseases. For the tips, to keep your healthy heart, you can consume healthy foods which have low cholesterol level together with flaxseed oil for sure.
Promotes Brain Health
One of the excellent benefits of flaxseed oil is to promote the brain health. It is due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids which have a role in promoting the brain function. As a result, this kind of fatty acids will help to promote the cognitive and brain performance for sure.
Balances Hormone
Flaxseed oil also has the benefit to balance the hormone in the body. This is applied in women who go through menopause. As a result, it helps to balance the estrogen level in the body. It will help post-menopausal women function better then.
Treats Menopause Symptoms
Another benefit provided by flaxseed oil is the way it eases mild menopause symptoms. It is shown that flaxseed can be beneficial to help menstrual breast pain for women not yet going through menopause. Moreover, it will also help to relieve the breast pain for the woman who has a menstrual cycle as well. Then, as flaxseed oil offers you great benefits, then you will have no doubt to take it as a natural medication.
Prevents Cancer
Generally, Cancer pointed that flaxseed oil or flaxseed oil capsules help to prevent cancer. At this point, it can be the natural treatment and prevention of cancer. Then, by consuming flaxseed oil can help to inhibit the growth of breast tumors.
Moreover, due to the presence of antioxidant properties in flaxseed oil, then it will help to protect the body against cancer cells. For the tips, to prevent cancer, all you have to do is consuming the healthy foods such as green vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy foods as well. With the great efforts in life, then you can prevent the bad things for sure.
Promotes Skin Health
Due to the presence of antioxidants in flaxseed oil, then it is beneficial to protect the skin from the damage of environmental stress. It will help to protect the skin against free radicals and UV rays. The anti-inflammatory properties in it also reduce the redness or sunburn. Indeed, it acts as the sooting oil for natural treatment. Therefore, flaxseed oil has the ability to make the clear and youthful skin.
Moisturizes Skin
Using flaxseed oil as the beauty treatment can bring benefits such as making your skin smoothe and brighter than before. Then, it will help to hydrate the skin and prevent the dry skin as well.
Removes Cellulite
Flaxseed oil can help to boost the collagen production. As a result, it will help to fight cellulite on the skin. Then, it is recommended to add flaxseed oil to your diet as a way to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Prevents Earlier Aging
The next beauty benefits provided by flaxseed oil is its ability to make the skin youthful. At this point, this benefit is linked to the presence of essential fatty acids in flaxseed. As the consequence, using flaxseed oil on the skin will help to fight wrinkles and the appearance of fine lines. Indeed, it helps to repair the skin cells and improve the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Thus, if you want to have the youthful and healthy skin, then you can count on flaxseed oil as well.
Prevents Skin Problems
Next, flaxseed oil has the amazing benefit to prevent the skin diseases such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin inflammation. This kind of essential fatty acids contained in flaxseed oil can help to improve the skin health and prevent the common skin disorder like eczema. Hence, if you want to prevent the risk of skin problems, then you can consume flaxseed oil for the natural treatment.
Promotes Hair Health
Consequently, consuming flaxseed oil will help to strengthen the hair and prevent hair loss. It will also help to promote the hair growth. For the tips, you can have the supplements flaxseed oil regularly to achieve the healthy hair for sure.
To sum up, flaxseed oil has the source of essential fatty acids that bring excellent benefits to the body health. In this case, you can add flaxseed oil supplement to your daily diet for good results.
