Health Benefits of Flax Oil

The benefits of flax seed oil and ground flax meal can't be over stated. Not only are these seeds packed with health benefits but they also seem to naturally boost your metabolism which promotes weight loss.

Flax seeds are one of the original health foods, valued for centuries for their healing properties. Flax was one of the original "medicines" used by Hippocrates. However, new studies validating the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in our diet, have given flax oil some new recognition.

You can access the nutritional benefits of flax by consuming a tablespoon of flax oil or 2 tablespoons of ground flax meal per day. The flax oil gel caps are convenient but are the most expensive way of getting the health benefits. Aside from being a super source of omega 3 fatty acids, 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 those oils don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition to the “good” fats, flax seeds also contain other nutrients. Therefore eating ground flax meal is slightly better for you than consuming just the oil. For example:

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

Flax oil, flax seeds, and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for your health. The following list contains some of the benefits associated with supplementing your diet with flax:

1. Flax supplements can boost immunity. A research study showed that children consuming a teaspoon of flax oil per day had fewer respiratory infections than children not consuming flax oil.
2. Flax oil increases the nutrient value of other foods. Flax oil when 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 soy proteins actually helped the essential fatty acids become incorporated into cell membranes. Mixing flax oil with yogurt helps to emulsify the oil and improve its ability to be metabolized by the body.
3. Flax may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.
4. Flax oil is good for cardiovascular health. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
5. Flax oil provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
6. Flax contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin. Flax oil seems to help people who have dry skin or eczema, or people whose skin is particularly sensitive to the sun.
7. Ground Flax meal promotes good colon health. Flax seeds have antioxident properties and, as a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, flax lowers the risk of constipation.
8. Flax fat can help with a weight loss regime. 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. This process is called thermogenesis and happens when specialized fat cells burn more fat after being activated by essential fatty acids.

Flax oil is a fragile oil and can go rancid very easily. Healthy fats generally spoil quickly, with olive oil being an exception. Extra care must be used when storing and using flax oil and ground flax meal. Purchase only refrigerated flax oil stored in black or opaque containers. Store flax oil in the refrigerator with the lid on tight. Because the oil is likely to turn rancid within six weeks of pressing, buy flax oil in smaller containers. Grind only as much flax meal as can be consumed at a given time. Keep extra ground flax meal in the fridge.

Don't use flax oil for cooking. Oils high in healthy 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.