Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

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Humans have used flaxseed oil for thousands of years, and it has a variety of health benefits. Manufacturers extract flaxseed oil from flaxseeds. People can use the oil in cooking and baking. What Are Flaxseeds? Is flaxseed the new wonder food? Preliminary studies show that it may help fight heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer. Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries. Flaxseed was cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC. In the 8th century, King Charlemagne believed so strongly in the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to consume it. Now, thirteen centuries later, some experts say we have preliminary research to back up what Charlemagne suspected. 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. What Is Flaxseed Oil? Flaxseed oil comes from ripened flaxseeds that manufacturers have cold pressed to extract the oil. Another name for flaxseed oil is linseed oil. Flaxseed oil is commercially available in both capsule and liquid form. It contains a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The body uses ALA from flaxseed oil and converts it in small amounts to other fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to a person's physical and mental health. Flaxseed oil does not contain the same nutrients as the whole seed. For example, flaxseeds contain fiber, magnesium, and vitamin B, but flaxseed oil does not. Benefits of flaxseed oil :- Although scientists have conducted more research into flaxseed than flaxseed oil, some studies into the oil do show promising results. The possible benefits of flaxseed oil include: Reducing cholesterol Similar to flaxseed, flaxseed oil may help lower cholesterol levels. The ALA in flaxseed oil might play a role in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol. In one small study involving 15 adults, the participants consumed either flaxseed oil or corn oil once per day with dinner. Researchers measured the participants' cholesterol levels at the start of the study and again 12 weeks later. Those who consumed the corn oil had no change in their cholesterol levels, while those who consumed the flaxseed oil had a significant decrease in LDL. Fighting cancer :- Flaxseed oil may help fight certain types of cancer. Although much more research is needed to draw a definite conclusion, some animal studies are encouraging. One study on mice with lung tumours found that those that consumed a 10 percent flaxseed diet had fewer tumours compared with those in the control group. Researchers have also studied effects of flaxseed and flaxseed oil on other types of cancer. One review indicates that in animal studies, the fatty acid in flaxseed oil may suppress breast tumour size and growth, as well as promote cancer cell death. Reducing diabetes risk :- Flaxseed oil may also help lower the risk of diabetes. One analysed studies also determined the effect of flaxseed oil in people with diabetes. This study involved 25 people who had pre-diabetes. These participants were either women experiencing menopause or men who were overweight. They consumed either 13 grams (g) or 26 g of flaxseed daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, those who consumed 13 g of flaxseed had a decreased blood sugar levels. Those who ate higher doses of flaxseed did not experience any changes. Researchers are not sure why the high-dose group did not have any changes. While flaxseed oil may have a positive effect in people with pre-diabetes, larger and more comprehensive studies are needed to make firm conclusions. Decreasing inflammation :- In one meta-analysis, flaxseed and its derivatives decreased circulating C-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation. However, these results were only present in adults who were obese. How to use flaxseed oil :- Flaxseed oil is sensitive to light and heat, so it is best to buy it in an opaque or dark glass bottle to protect it from the light and store it in a cool, dark place. The taste of flaxseed oil is mild. People can drink a spoonful straight or incorporate it into dips and sauces. People can also use flaxseed oil instead of other oils or butter for cooking. Flaxseed oil is sensitive to heat, so cooking with it will change the nutritional properties. For those who do not want to add flaxseed oil to food, it is also available in capsule form as a supplement. Flaxseed oil does not have the same nutritional value as whole flaxseeds. However, it is still a good source of ALA, which is one type of omega-3 fatty acid. Adverse effects are rare and typically mild. Incorporating flaxseed oil into a healthful diet is fairly simple. It provides an omega-3 boost and may have some additional benefits, such as decreasing cholesterol and fighting inflammation.