Flaxseed along with flax oil have been used as both external and internal medicine since ancient times. It is used in the treatment of cholesterol, obesity, arthritis, high blood pressure, wounds, abscesses, etc.
Flax oil and seeds are rich in beneficial substances such as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as alpha-linoleic acid.
Our body wraps the latter substance in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These substances are usually found in fish products and are widely used for heart diseases, enhance immunity, and also treat complicated cases of female infertility.
The human body's ability to convert ALA entirely into EPA and DHA is not fully established. However, flax seed oil acts as an alternative to the plant source, usually to some extent. Therefore, it is a good substitute for people who do not like foods with sunflower oil additives.
Advantages
To better understand and know how flax seeds and oil are used and what they are used for, you need to familiarize yourself with the benefits of this product:
- Flax seeds actively reduce the percentage of cholesterol and glucose in the blood. They are rich in a huge amount of fibers, which quickly dissolve in the reins and other liquids. Due to this, flax seeds contribute to less absorption of cholesterol into the intestinal walls. Thus, regular intake of flax seed oil or the seeds themselves significantly reduces the risk of cholesterol plaques appearing in blood vessels, which in turn contribute to the development of heart and artery diseases, increased blood pressure and atherosclerosis. The fiber in flax seeds is dietary, so they also significantly reduce glucose levels in the body, which is essential for people suffering from diabetes.
- Reduced bone loss. A study has been conducted on diabetic rats showing that the process of bone loss is slowed in rats fed ground flax seeds. This is believed to be due to the elevated concentration of fatty acids in flax seeds.
You can lose weight with flax seeds. When flax seeds swell in the intestines, a person feels much fuller. If you crush the seeds of this plant half an hour before eating, it will reduce your appetite and help you lose extra pounds.- Flax seeds act as a laxative for constipation and regulate bowel movements for indigestion. The product copes well with problems in the digestive and intestinal tract.
- Improving the immune system. By taking the seeds of this plant for a long time, a person can improve the immunity of the entire body as a whole and it will become more resistant to various ailments.
- Reducing the risk of developing cancer. Studies conducted on flaxseed have found it to be beneficial in the fight against cancer, especially colon and breast cancer, due to its lignan content, which slows down tumor growth.
Flaxseeds are a type of grain that has been cultivated for many thousands of years and is still used in recipes today.
And you can simply buy this superfood at health food stores or the supermarket. Alternatively, flaxseed may reduce your risk of getting many types of ailments. With a nutty flavor, flax seeds can be used in both savory and sweet types of foods. If you know how to properly use the seeds of this plant with food, you can easily include them in your daily diet.
Contraindications
Do not use this natural product if:
- Active inflammatory processes in the intestinal wall.
- Acute pancreatitis, hepatitis.
- Diarrhea.
- Acute intestinal poisoning, food toxic infections.
- Hypotension (including orthostatic).
- Any hormonal-dependent processes in the body (fibroids, prostatitis, polycystic ovaries). A negative effect on estrogen levels was noted.
- Carrying a child and breastfeeding.
- Pathologies of the biliary tract occurring according to the hypertensive type.
Expert commentary
Kardash Anton Borisovich
Therapist, cardiologist. Doctor of the highest category.
Among the side effects, only allergic reactions are described. The most common symptoms are isolated skin itching, urticaria, and irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. In rare cases, anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema) may occur.
Do not combine use with drugs that affect:
- tone and motility of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and biliary tract;
- blood viscosity and coagulability;
- blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate.
Due to the wide range of contraindications and side effects, you should consult your doctor before starting therapy.
How to treat high cholesterol with flax seeds?
In addition to treating high cholesterol, this plant is used to reduce blood pressure. Flax thins the blood. This suggests that flax seeds cope well with the problems of atherosclerosis, gradually clearing the blood vessels of the formed cholesterol plaques. For this reason, many medical professionals note that they may interact with blood thinning agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel, etc. The preparation recipes are very simple. Flax seeds are taken as the best remedy for cholesterol.
Guard your arteries with seed. Don't wait for your doctor to tell you that your arteries are blocked. Start controlling your cholesterol now. Find out how flaxseed can help you take the first step.
How it works
Your liver makes the cholesterol your body needs, but extra cholesterol from the food you eat can lead to dangerously clogged arteries and possibly a heart attack.
What you need is a secret weapon to wrest excess cholesterol from your arteries before atherosclerosis develops. Flax seed can help cleanse your arteries.
Think about a 10,000 year old medicine. Scientists aren't entirely sure how it works, but they think three components in flaxseed may help.
Fiber is the most important component based on numerous studies.
Fiber in grains such as flaxseed helps cut damaging low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This is because fiber contains bile acids. These bile acids, essential for digestion, are made from cholesterol. And like a good guard, fiber escorts those bile acids straight out of your body.
So the next time your body needs more bile acids, it pulls cholesterol out of the blood. Less cholesterol in the blood means lower levels.
Flaxseed also contains special plant chemicals called lignans. In fact, flaxseed is the richest source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside or SDG lignin. Your stomach breaks SDG into two substances called enterodiol and enterolactone. Because it seems to help lower cholesterol in animals, scientists suspect it could do the same for humans.
Another component is ALA - alpha-linolenic acid. It is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that probably does not lower cholesterol. But ALA can still help prevent other causes of heart problems, such as blood clots and irregular heartbeats.
Benefits of including flaxseed oil in your diet
Flaxseed oil is one of the most suggested food products by nutritionists. This is understandable. Firstly, it replenishes the entire required volume of fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated ones, necessary for the body to function normally. Secondly, the complex of vitamins and minerals included in its composition improves the functioning of nerve cells, relieves intoxication problems in the body, restoring liver cells. It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of all organs and systems, as it activates metabolic processes in them.
The benefits of flaxseed oil for the human body have been confirmed by scientists. If you include it in your daily diet, it will become a preventive measure for a variety of diseases. It is recommended to be consumed cold, as a dressing for vegetable salads. Can be used in porridges, in dressing cold potatoes, and added to side dishes. The taste of flaxseed oil may not at first seem very attractive to a modern person spoiled by unhealthy food. But regular use of this product forms a habit and the nuances of the taste of this product are not noticed.
Effect on cardiovascular diseases
A decrease in blood cholesterol by 25% and triglycerides (participating in the formation of cholesterol) by 65% leads to an increase in vascular patency and a decrease in blood viscosity. This helps reduce the risk of blood clots and cholesterol plaques. In addition, the unique composition of flaxseed oil helps restore the internal walls of blood vessels, which also has a positive effect on their condition and reduces the risk of cholesterol deposits on their walls. After all, cholesterol is deposited only on damaged walls of blood vessels.
Improving the condition of the vascular system and blood quality leads to an overall improvement in the condition of the cardiovascular system. The positive effect of flax oil on reducing cholesterol is especially important in connection with the side effects of statins. These drugs are prescribed by doctors to lower cholesterol in patients with cardiovascular diseases. But, recently, the legality of prescribing statins for high cholesterol has been refuted by many cardiologists. The fact is that they have many side effects that negatively affect human health, which forces many to refuse to use them. Flaxseed oil has no side effects and can be taken as a preventative anti-sclerotic agent for a long time.
Fighting diabetes
Flaxseed oil is an excellent prevention of diabetes. It improves the functioning of the pancreas and the entire endocrine system. Thanks to the unique composition of flaxseed oil, insulin production is stimulated and blood sugar levels are reduced, which is why it is used in the treatment of diabetes.
With systematic consumption of oil, the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is reduced. This occurs by stabilizing or even reducing blood sugar levels, which improves the general condition of the patient.
Benefits for obesity
Vegetable fat and obesity are seemingly incompatible things that exclude each other. This is true, but not with regard to flaxseed oil. The fact is that this wonderful natural product is not deposited in the body as fat, but rather breaks down excess fat into glycerol and water. Then these substances are simply eliminated from the body naturally during the metabolic process. Unsaturated fatty acids – linolenic and alpha-linolenic – contribute to the process of fat breakdown. Thus, flaxseed oil is a natural catalyst for the fat burning process. This process occurs during the night's rest. Therefore, for fat burning, flaxseed oil should be consumed in its pure form at night.
Along with excess fat, toxins and breakdown products leave the body, which allows you to cleanse the body from the inside, starting from the cellular level and ending with the urinary system and gastrointestinal tract. Along with the activation of lipid metabolism, cerebral circulation improves and the body's resistance to stress to the action of endogenous and exogenous factors increases.
We can continue listing the benefits of flaxseed oil for the body. Its action is so multifaceted that it is difficult to find another such simple natural remedy that would be so useful for healing the body. Its regular consumption with vegetables or separately cleanses the body of toxins, normalizes blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels, improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, all organs and systems.
Research results
According to one study, cholesterol levels dropped significantly when people with high cholesterol levels ate six slices of flaxseed bread a day. And when scientists looked at studies related to flaxseed and heart disease, they found more evidence that flaxseed may help reduce bad cholesterol. It's important to note that researchers used one to five tablespoons (15 to 50 grams) per day in their studies to help participants lower their cholesterol levels.
Flaxseed oil has zero fiber and zero lignans, so you're really only getting omega-3s. Flax capsules will not affect your cholesterol.
Scientists suggest that adding flaxseed to a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat may help reduce LDL cholesterol by 5 to 10%. This may seem small, but think about it. If we, as people in the United States, could lower LDL cholesterol by 5%, we could reduce the rate of heart disease and stroke by the same amount.
So, finally, you have a way to reduce your cholesterol and keep it off forever. Just remember - if you have any health concerns, talk to your doctor before receiving flax seeds.
How are the seeds of a plant such as flax used?
Flax seeds can be taken either whole or ground. But it is better to use them after grinding them in a coffee grinder. After all, they are not digested in the stomach as they should be. Ground seeds are very easily accepted by the stomach and intestines, are easily digested and provide the body with such beneficial substances as omega 3, protein and fiber. It is better to take ground flax seeds with plenty of liquid to avoid clogging the stomach and intestines.
The pharmacy sells ready-made ground flax seeds in the form of flour. Please note that flax seed oil does not contain the required amount of fiber.
Choosing oil on the shelves of stores and pharmacies
Although flaxseed oil is sold in small shops and supermarkets, a higher quality product will be sold in a pharmacy.
The highest quality oils are sold in dark glass or plastic bottles, which protect them from strong exposure to sunlight and light.
The shelf life of natural high-quality oil is no more than 6 months, and after opening the bottle, it is stored for no more than 7-8 weeks. Also, it is important to pay attention to the composition; it should not contain any impurities, only pure flax seed oil.
Most often it is sold in volumes of 200 or 500 ml. For 1 course of treatment you will need approximately 250-300 ml. But you should also not forget about the release form in the form of capsules, which are much easier to use.
Recommended daily amount of flax seeds
Experts recommend that you take about a tablespoon a day of ground flaxseeds, while children should eat no more than a quarter teaspoon of the substance. Given the high content of fiber, protein and other vitamins, you can start taking flaxseed with a small amount at first and then gradually increase the dosage. In terms of calories, each tablespoon of ground seeds contains 36 calories, and each tablespoon of whole seeds contains 50 calories.
How to use
Ground flaxseeds can also be added to other healthy foods. You can add flaxseed to sugar-free cereals or low-fat yogurt. They can be sprinkled over hot oatmeal as they add a nice nutty flavor and health benefits.
Try soaking flaxseed powder before adding them to juice or puree, this will give them a softer and firmer texture. To use flaxseeds in this way, you need to immerse a teaspoon in enough water and soak them overnight for better effect. Then how to use flax seeds after they have absorbed water is simply stir them with juice or puree of vegetables or fruits.
Flax seed recipe
There is an option - using crushed grains. Suitable only for women, since the seeds contain large quantities of phytoestrogen - a plant analogue of female sex hormones.
Can be combined with the use of oil or decoction of flax seeds. In the evening, one and a half to two hours before bedtime, stir three level teaspoons of grains ground in a coffee grinder in a glass of 1% fat kefir. In this case, drink the oil or decoction twice.
The contraindications are the same as for consuming oil. But taking such a cocktail can cause discomfort in the intestines. It is advisable to first make sure that the product is suitable, starting with adding 1 spoon. Helps reduce weight.
Storing flax seeds
Now that you know how to use flax seeds, you need to know the best way to store them. Store them in the refrigerator or freeze them to keep them fresh, otherwise the seeds can easily spoil due to their fatty acid content. As for the container, keep them in an airtight container even after you open the bag, regardless of whether they are whole seeds or crushed seeds. If you buy flax seeds, freeze them in the freezer in an air-locked container, except in an open bag that can be stored in the refrigerator so you have easy access to them.
Cautions
In addition to the question of how to use flax seeds, there are some precautions to take when using them. While omega-3 oils are especially beneficial and are good for colon health, for people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, flaxseed may act as a laxative and should not be used. People who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not consume flaxseeds, as well as women who have endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease, or uterine fibroid tumors. Men who have a higher risk of contracting prostate cancer should also not eat flaxseed. If you have any questions about eating flax seeds, talk to your doctor before you start taking them.
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Features of the use of decoction and linseed oil
There are 2 common forms of using flaxseeds - oil and decoction. In each case we are talking about a specific set of useful preventive and therapeutic properties.
Decoction | Linseed oil |
Mild laxative effect – helps in treating constipation. | Accelerates the process of removing toxins from the body. |
Prevention of atherosclerosis. | Improving the structure of nails and hair. |
Eliminates manifestations of the inflammatory process of the gastrointestinal mucosa. | Prevention of cardiovascular diseases. |
Prevention and treatment of gastritis. | Saturates the body with nutrients throughout the diet. |
Prevention and treatment of worms. | Improves the functioning of the endocrine system. |
Reduces the likelihood of developing anemia. |
Important!
Only a doctor has sufficient experience to determine in what form it is best to use flaxseeds to normalize cholesterol levels. The doctor is based on the results of the examination.
Rules for using flaxseeds
Dietetics have developed recommendations based on which you can safely eat a nutritious product.
Namely:
- they need to be crushed before use;
- the product is eaten immediately - during long-term storage, the seeds oxidize and lose their nutritional properties;
- the ground product can be added to broth, porridge or jelly;
- It is allowed to take ground seeds before or after meals.
The duration of the course is determined only by the doctor.
Rules for using flaxseed oil
The product is stored only in dark containers, protected from sunlight. The container must be closed with a tight lid, otherwise the liquid will lose most of the beneficial components. The list of practical tips will continue with the recommendations listed below:
- oil is a good addition to salads and cereals;
- it is forbidden to eat it raw;
- It can be purchased in capsule form - a good option for those who do not tolerate the natural bitterness of the product.
The maximum duration of the course of treatment is 30 days, unless otherwise advised by the doctor.