Flaxseed oil detailed introduction to benefits

What is flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil comes from the seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). Flaxseed is actually one of the oldest crops, as it has been cultivated since the beginning of civilization. The Latin name for flaxseed means “very useful,” and that’s because every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized.

Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil is emerging as important functional food ingredients because they rich in a-linolenic acid (ALA); in fact, flaxseed is the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is low in saturated fatty acids, moderate in monounsaturated fatty acids and rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Natural flax seed oil benefits

Aids in Weight Loss

Since flaxseed oil lubricates the colon and works as a natural laxative, it’s excellent at keeping things moving in the digestive system. By helping your body to get rid of food and wastes more quickly, it helps your body to detoxify and shed excess weight. That means adding flaxseed oil as a carrier oil to essential oils for weight loss can lead to additional benefits beyond dropping some pounds.

May Relieve Constipation and Diarrhea

Constipation is slower than normal movement of food waste through the digestive tract. It’s generally accompanied by a variety of symptoms, such as bloating, gas, back pain or fatigue. One of the main folk or traditional uses for flaxseed oil has been constipation relief. By acting as a lubricant to the colon, flaxseed oil offers easy and natural constipation relief.

May Help Fight Cancer

In the world of natural cancer treatment and prevention, flaxseed oil is well-respected and included in natural treatment diets like the Budwig diet protocol for cancer. Studies even show that flaxseed oil benefits may include helping prevent the growth of breast tumors.

May Remove Cellulite

As we age, collagen production decreases, but consumption of flaxseed oil helps to increase collagen production.

Structural changes in the skin’s tissues, including weakened collagen, makes cellulite more visible because the skin becomes thinner and less able to conceal the irregularities created by the superficial fat and connective tissue just below its surface. By adding flaxseed oil to your diet, you can actually help to fight the appearance of cellulite.

May Reduce Eczema

Eczema is a common skin disorder that causes dry, red, itchy skin that can blister or crack. It’s generally caused by an allergic response to foods, chemicals or other substances, such as perfumes or soaps.

In addition to avoiding unhealthy skincare products, you can also greatly improve eczema through your diet. Essential fatty acids help improve skin elasticity and texture, making flaxseed oil one of the top choices for improved skin health in general and pesky skin problems like eczema.

May Boost Heart Health

There’s evidence that eating foods high in alpha-linolenic acid like flaxseed oil might help prevent and treat heart disease. One study suggests that people who eat a diet high in ALA are less likely to have a fatal heart attack, meaning flaxseed oil might lower risk factors for this common killer.

Nutrition Facts

Flaxseed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are both polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that the body is unable to produce, but are necessary to human health. It’s highly important to get the right balance of of PUFAs since omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, while many omega-6 fatty acids contribute to inflammation.

With flaxseed oil, the omega-6:omega-3 ratio is 0.3:1, which is exactly in line with how much of each type of fat you should be consuming.

Flaxseed oil contains ALA, which the body converts into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the omega-3 fatty acids readily available in fish oil. It’s also naturally high in antioxidants like tocopherols and beta-carotene, but researchers indicate that traditional flaxseed oil may lose these properties when it’s extracted and purified.