Flaxseed has been around forever, yet is one of the newest hot nutritional items. The flaxseed comes from a flowering plant that is grown in the Canadian prairie just for its beneficial seeds. Flaxseed oil is also sometimes known as linseed oil.
Flaxseed oil is nature’s richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids and is also a great source of Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, too. Flaxseed or flaxseed oil is a great addition to any diet.
Which is Better- Flaxseed or Flaxseed Oil?
Both flaxseeds and flaxseed oil have the same benefits in terms of giving your body the essential fatty acids it needs. However, eating flaxseeds also gives you fiber, which the oil will not. Flaxseed oil, however, is easier to take as a supplement.
If you choose to use flaxseeds instead of taking flaxseed oil, be sure to grind them first. Your body will have more difficulty digesting the whole seeds, and will not get as much benefit from them as it will from ground seeds.
You can grind flaxseeds in a coffee grinder and then store them in an airtight container. They can be added to cookies, breads and muffins. They can also be added to your breakfast cereal or a container of yogurt.
The Health Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil has been shown to improve nearly every function in the body. Flaxseed oil’s essential fatty acids support your immune system, your cardiovascular system, your reproductive system and the regulation of your body’s systems, like heart rate and blood pressure.
People who consume high levels of lineolic acid ( the kind found in flaxseed oil) have been shown to have lower incidences of cancer. It has been used to treat some forms of depression and helps improve memory function.
Over time, taking flaxseed oil can help you have more energy and can help muscles recover faster. It may also lower your blood pressure, and relieves the symptoms of arthritis in some.
Flaxseed and Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The primary benefit of taking flaxseed oil comes from its high level of Omega 3 fatty acids. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil supplies all the Omega 3 an adult needs in a day, making it a simple way to improve your health and prevent all the dangerous diseases listed above.
Most Americans are deficient in Omega 3, and risk serious health benefits because of it. Even children, who need Omega 3 for proper growth and maturing of bodily cells, especially the ones in the brain, can be deficient.
Our bodies cannot produce Omega 3 fatty acids, so we must get it from our diets, and its clear that most of us don’t.
Omega 3 Deficiencies are Linked To:
- Heart Attacks
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Insulin Resistance
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Diabetes
Flaxseed oil makes it easy to get your Omega 3 fatty acids everyday. This simple supplement can make a world of difference when it comes to your health.
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