Are You Experiencing the Benefits of Flax Seed Oil?One of the many benefits of flax seed oil is that it can give your body the Omega-3 fatty acids it needs to be at it's best.
On this page you can find information on what flax oil is, how it can greatly benefit you, and Tips on how to use it most effectively.
Flax itself is an herb that has been cultivated since the dawn of time in Eurasia. It's primary use was for creating linens and cloth. However, since the 1800's it's use for these has greatly diminished (due to the production of cotton). Each flax plant produces 10 seeds. These seeds (when pressed) contain a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids (approximately 55%). Omega-3 fatty acids are like vitamins, your body can not produce them. However, your body does need them, especially to create hormone-like substances, called prostaglandin which control 1000's of functions in your body. Such as:
Also important to note is that your body uses Omega-3 fatty acids to produce 1 type of prostaglandin, while using Omega-6 fatty acids (from corn oil, safflower oil, etc.) to create another type of prostaglandin. The benefits of flax seed oil can put your diet "back into balance" and give your body the Omega-3's it needs for your optimal health and performance.
100 years ago getting enough Omega-3's wasn't a problem. With the invention of modern processing this changed. The "Western" diet dramatically increased in Omega-6 fatty acids which come from corn oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oils. Today the "Western" diet is dominated by Omega-6 fatty acids (as much as 10 times
that of Omega-3s). We get a truckload of Omega-6 from salad dressings, vegetable oils, grain fed feed, breads, and processed foods (yeah, even pizza!). The Solution Supplementing flax seed oil or fish oils can put your diet and your prostaglandin levels, back into balance. Omega-3's affect:
Other Benefits of Flax Seed Oil Flax seed oil also contains a natural fiber called Lignan. This natural fiber contains plant estrogen’s that have been shown to have balancing affects on hormones. Lignan is also a good antioxidant and is being studied for it’s affects on heart health, menopause, and acne, to a name a few. Tip- Before buying a flax seed oil, check the label to make sure it has Lignan still in it (some brands have up to 10% while others have none).
One of the benefits of flax seed oil vs. fish oils is taste. Flax seed oil has a mild taste which makes it easy to add to your diet. And even if you don't really like the taste, it also comes in convenient softgels. Tip 1- When you begin using flax seed oil, start with a lower dosage than recommended and over weeks work your way up to a regular amount. This will enable your body to fully utilize the additional nutrition it's receiving. Tip 2- If you like the taste, buying flax seed oil in a 16oz container is more economical. 1 tablespoon ($.35 a serving) is equivalent to 12-15 1,000mg soft gels ($.65 a serving). But it is a give and take. The flax oil will last 2 - 4 months (if refrigerated) in a 16oz container. On the other hand, the flax oil capsules will last up to a year - due to being sealed from the air.
Tip 3 All unsaturated fats can turn rancid very quickly when exposed to light and air so if your oil tastes "bitter" its gone bad. To prevent this:
Tip 4- Since flax oil has a light, nutty flavor, it can be added to balsamic vinegar to create a nice salad dressing or into your protein shake (creates a thick, rich treat!).
Return from Benefits of Flax Seed Oil to Foundational Supplements Return from Benefits of Flax Seed Oil to Safe Weight Lifting for Women Home page
|
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
