Flax seeds

Most nutrition experts recommend ground over whole flaxseed because the ground form is easier to digest. Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, which means you won't get all the benefits. Flaxseed's health benefits come from the fact that it's high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as phytochemicals called lignans. One tablespoon (7 grams) of ground flaxseed contains 2 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids (includes the omega 3s), 2 grams of dietary fiber and 37 calories. Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. Flaxseed may also help lower total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. You can buy flaxseed in bulk — whole or ground — at many grocery stores and health food stores. Whole seeds can be ground at home using a coffee grinder or food processor. Tips for including flaxseed in your diet: • Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your hot or cold breakfast cereal. • Add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to mayonnaise or mustard when making a sandwich. • Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into an 8-ounce container of yogurt. • Bake ground flaxseed into cookies, muffins, breads and other baked goods. Like other sources of fiber, flaxseed should be taken with plenty of water or other fluids. Flaxseed shouldn't be taken at the same time as oral medications. As always, talk with your doctor before trying any dietary suppl...

Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of Flaxseed is found in all kinds of today's foods from crackers to frozen waffles to oatmeal. The Flax Council estimates close to 300 new flax-based products were launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2010 alone. Not only has consumer demand for flaxseed grown, agricultural use has also increased. Flaxseed is what's used to feed all those chickens that are laying eggs with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its primary healthy reputation to three of them: • Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have • Lignans, which have both plant • Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types. The Health Benefits of Flax Although Lilian Thompson, PhD, an internationally known flaxseed researcher from the University of Toronto, says she wouldn’t call any of the health benefits of flax "conclusively established," research indicates that flax may reduce risks of certain cancers as well as cardiovascular disease and Recent studies have suggested that flaxseed may have a protective effect against In animal studies, the plant omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed, called ALA, inhibited tumor incidence and growth. The lignans in flaxseed may provide some protection against cancers that are sensitive to hormones without interfering with the Lignans may help protect agai...

Flax is one of the oldest crops in the world and has been used by people throughout history for all sorts of purposes. In fact, its Latin name, Linum usitatissimum, means “very useful.” Today, flaxseed is an important addition to many diets, offering health benefits for everything from heart health to blood sugar levels. Health Benefits The vitamins, minerals, and fiber in flaxseed can provide important health benefits. Magnesium, for example, is important for more than 300 different reactions in your body. Magnesium is also important for strong bones and helps build your DNA. Flaxseed also provides a significant amount of Flaxseed provides other health benefits, such as: Heart Health Flaxseed has been shown to improve One study showed that eating flaxseed daily for six months significantly reduced blood pressure, whether or not participants were taking blood pressure medication. In another study of people with diabetes, flaxseed was also found to lower “bad” Lower Risk of Cancer Compounds called lignans have been linked to a lower risk of cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer. Flaxseed is one of the best natural sources of Digestive Health Flaxseed is often used as a fiber supplement because of the large amounts of Control Blood Sugar Supplementing your diet with flaxseed may also help you manage your Nutrition Flaxseed is surprisingly rich in protein, providing a healthy, plant-based form of protein to help muscle regeneration and hair growth. It's also an excell...

Flaxseed—also commonly referred to as flax seed or linseed—can be a nutritious addition to your diet. The small golden or brown seeds are high in heart-healthy fiber and fatty acids. They can be eaten whole or used to make flaxseed oil, extracts, flour, and food products like salad dressing. Flaxseed has been promoted as a healthful and sometimes medicinal substance for thousands of years, dating back to Hippocrates. For example, based on a 2,000-calorie-per day diet, a serving of flaxseed provides 11% of the daily recommended intake (DRI) of thiamin. Thiamin is a water-soluble B vitaminthat is needed by the body to metabolize carbohydrate and It is also vital for neural function.A tablespoon of flaxseed also contains 2% of the DRI of For example, flaxseed has been investigated as a treatment for hot flashes, especially during menopause. The seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are similar to the hormone estrogen. However, research reviews have found that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of flaxseed for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Flaxseed is also sometimes used to treat acne, psoriasis, stomach upset, ADHD, bladder inflammation, diverticulitis, and eczema. Currently, there is little evidence to support these uses. However, the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine is funding research to understand how flaxseed may play a role in treatment for ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabol...

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and flaxseed oil, which comes from flaxseed, are rich sources of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid — a heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid. Flaxseed is high in soluble fiber and in lignans, which contain phytoestrogens. Similar to the hormone estrogen, phytoestrogens might have anti-cancer properties. Flaxseed oil doesn't have these phytoestrogens. Flaxseed can be used whole or crushed, or in a powder form as meal or flour. Flaxseed oil is available in liquid and capsule form. People use flaxseed and flaxseed oil to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar and treat digestive conditions. Some people also take flaxseed to treat inflammatory diseases. Research on the use of flaxseed and flaxseed oil for specific conditions shows: • Heart disease. Some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil, might benefit people with heart disease. Early research also suggests that flaxseed might help lower high blood pressure, which plays a role in heart disease. • Cholesterol levels. Several studies show that taking flaxseed daily can reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels. However, other studies aren't as favorable. • Diabetes. Taking flaxseed might lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the same results haven't been found for flaxseed oil. • Menopausal symptoms. Results have been mixed when it comes to use of flaxseed and the treatme...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. “Flaxseed has many nutritional benefits,” says dietitian Flaxseed benefits Why do dietitians love flaxseed? Let us count the ways: • Omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed (its closest friends call it “flax”) is chock-full of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of fatty acid that benefits heart health. Fish is famously the best source of • Lignans. These are a type of phytoestrogen, a group of compounds that are linked to a reduced risk of developing • Fiber. Flax is an excellent source of soluble • Protein. Flaxseed is a good source of high-quality plant protein, comparable to soybeans. • Potassium. Potassium is a mineral that’s important for cell and muscle function and helps maintain normal blood pressure. But many Americans don’t get enough. Enter flaxseed, which has more potassium than (the famously potassium-rich) bananas. How to shop for flaxseed Flax comes in several forms. Here’s what you need to know before you start using this superseed. • Whole flax has the longest shelf life, but it’s hard for your body to break down. You’ll have to grind it in a food processor or coffee grinder first, Zumpano says. Otherwise, all those nutrients will go in one end and out the other. • Pre-ground or milled flax can save you time, but it does have a shorter shelf life than whole seeds, Zumpano says. • Flax oil is full of...

• Constipation. Flaxseed is a good source of dietary fiber. Eating flaxseed in muffins or other foods seems to increase • Diabetes. Taking flaxseed by • High cholesterol. Taking flaxseed by mouth seems to help reduce • • Breast pain (mastalgia). Eating a flaxseed muffin daily for 3 months or taking flaxseed powder by mouth daily for 2 months seems to reduce breast pain that occurs at the start of the • Obesity. Taking flaxseed by mouth may help reduce • Swelling ( Possibly Ineffective for When taken by mouth: Flaxseed is likely safe for most adults. Adding flaxseed to the diet might increase the number of bowel movements each day. It might also cause side effects such as bloating, gas, stomachache, and Taking flaxseed extracts that contain lignans is possibly safe. Flaxseed lignan extracts can be used safely for up to 6 months. Taking raw or unripe flaxseed by mouth is possibly unsafe. It might be poisonous. When applied to the When taken by mouth: Flaxseed is likely safe for most adults. Adding flaxseed to the diet might increase the number of bowel movements each day. It might also cause side effects such as bloating, gas, stomachache, and Taking flaxseed extracts that contain lignans is possibly safe. Flaxseed lignan extracts can be used safely for up to 6 months. Taking raw or unripe flaxseed by mouth is possibly unsafe. It might be poisonous. When applied to the Pregnancy: Taking flaxseed by mouth during pregnancy is possibly unsafe. Flaxseed can act like the hormone ...