The Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Humans have been using flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) for thousands of years. According to archaeologists, flax was one of the first crops that humans ever cultivated. Flax was used in ancient Egypt to make linen fabric, medicine, and was used as a food source.
Today, flax is grown around the world for these benefits. Currently, the largest producers of flax seeds and flaxseed oil in the world today are Canada, China, France, Argentina, and Russia. Products containing flaxseed and flaxseed oil can be found on the shelves of most grocery and health food stores. These include nutritional drinks, crackers, bread, and other foods, and even personal care products and cosmetics.
What Makes Flax Seed & Flax Seed Oil So Great?
Why is flaxseed so popular in foods? Flaxseed is high in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other nutrients. These powerful little seeds are also an excellent source of dietary fiber. The kinds of fiber that foods like flaxseed provide has been shown to help in reducing the cholesterol levels within the body. Also, flaxseed is one of the most concentrated forms of plant-based Omega 3’s available, alpha-linolenic acid.
The diets of most people today is sadly lacking in Omega-3 fatty acids. Modern diets include a great deal of Omega-6 fatty acids that are found in conventional vegetable oils used in processed food. According to Dr. Herb Joiner-Bey, N.D. in his book, “The Healing Power of Flax”, our diets contain on average nearly 20 times the level of Omega-6 fatty acids to Omega-3’s. This has been shown to generate too much oxidation in the body and leads to diseases like cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and other chronic health issues.
The inclusion of flax in the diet can help to improve digestion, lower blood pressure, and act as an antioxidant to lessen the effects of foods containing high levels of Omega-6’s. For those who have diabetes, the fiber found in flaxseeds can be beneficial in helping their overall blood glucose levels. Flaxseed can also improve our hormonal balance and improve the complexion and elasticity of our skin by reducing inflammation.
Flaxseed oil is made from the fats found inside of flax seeds. The health benefits from taking a daily supplement of flaxseed oil include:
- Lowering cholesterol LDL and total cholesterol levels. This, in turn, can help improve overall health by decreasing plaque accumulation within the arteries. This lowers blood pressure and improves heart health.
- During the 1950s, German biochemist Johanna Budwig determined through her research that flaxseed oil, when taken along with a healthy diet, showed some effectiveness in the reduction of the size of cancerous tumors within the bodies of patients. More recent studies have shown that both flaxseed and flaxseed oil contain linoorbitides. Linoorbitides are compounds that act as antioxidants and have demonstrated the potential to fight various forms of cancer including that of the breast, lungs, skin, and prostate.
- Taking a daily flaxseed oil supplement has been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of diabetes by normalizing blood glucose levels in the body.
- Including flaxseed oil in the diet can help to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory substances from the body’s immune system and reduce the incidences of allergic reactions.
- Flaxseed oil helps the body to detoxify and can help promote weight loss and normalize the digestive system.
- Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This Omega-3 fatty acid can help to protect brain health as we age. The Omega-3’s in flaxseed oil can protect cognitive function and reduce the onset of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Flaxseed oil also helps to improve the overall health of our skin by helping it to remain supple and smooth while increasing hydration. Flaxseed oil can also help reduce keratosis and ease the appearance of forms of dryness and inflammation of the skin.
- Flaxseed oil contains phytoestrogens, which can help protect bone health by helping to protect against the effects of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other health conditions that affect bone health.
- Flaxseed and flaxseed oil can also help regulate pressure in the eyes, blood vessels and joint capsules.
- As we age, hair growth slows. The Omega 3 fatty acids contained in flaxseed oil improves blood circulation the scalp and can stimulate the sebaceous glands in the scalp and can help hair stay resilient and has also been shown to reduce hair loss as we age.
- Flax seeds and flaxseed oil has been shown by research teams in Japan and Australia to help those with asthma by reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
- Flaxseed and flaxseed oil also contain large quantities of phosphorus, which is essential to ensure bone density and good dental health. The inclusion of the mineral phosphorus is especially important for women before, during, and especially after menopause.
Putting the Power of Flax to Work for You
Flaxseed oil can be easily incorporated into our daily diets by using it in the meals we eat or by taking a daily nutritional supplement.
Because flax seeds and flaxseed oil are susceptible to oxygen, light, and heat, it is recommended to store them in a cool dark place. Some choose to refrigerate these items, but some flaxseed oil supplements, such as those we carry here at Sir Jason Winters International, do not require refrigeration.
At Sir Jason Winters, each bottle of our Flaxseed Oil Supplement has 100 soft gels that contain 1,000 milligrams of flaxseed oil in each. The recommended dose for our flaxseed oil supplement is to take it three times per day with a meal.
This is the recommended dosage for adults. Our supplement is not recommended for children under the age of 12 without first consulting a physician. For those who are pregnant, nursing, or taking other prescribed medications, or herbal supplements, we do recommend speaking to your physician or other health care professional before taking this or any other supplement.
The regular cost of our Flaxseed Oil Supplement is regularly $16.85 per bottle. Right now, you can order it at substantial savings, just $8.50 per bottle! You can also take advantage of our subscription service and save an additional 5% off of your monthly or bi-weekly order and have it sent to you automatically.
Resources
“Flax and flaxseed oil: An ancient & modern functional food” by Ankit Goyal, Vivek Sharma, Dandeep Gill, & Manvesh Sihag, 2013, Association Of Food Scientists & Technologists in India, Andra Pradesh, India
“Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements,” by Linda Skidmore-Roth, Mosby, 2001, pp. 349–352.
“Flax Seed and Fish Oil Omega 3 Benefit”, by Ellen Vincent, Smashwords, 2001,
“The Healing Power of Flax: The Definitive Guide” by Herb Joiner-Bey, N.D. 2007, Freedom Press, Topanga, CA