How To Balance Your Diet with Flax Seed Oil

Flax seed oil is a popular supplement. As with anything, you should discuss any supplement with your care provider before taking it and young children, pregnant women and nursing women should avoid taking it.

After reading this article, if you plan on taking flax seed oil, the recommended dosage is 1,000 mg one to three times a day. When buying flax seed oil, buy it in dark capsules and store it in dark bottles in a dark and cool place-flax seed oil becomes rancid if exposed to too much light.

Flax seed oil comes from the flax plant and may also be called linseed oil. It's made up of many helpful components, each spelled out below.

1. Essential fatty acids. Flax seed oil contains helpful fatty acids including omega-3 fatty acids. We need omega-3 acids to help build cell membranes and make our cells stronger. Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower cholesterol and prevent clots in arteries. Our brains are also made up of phospholipids which consist of fatty acids. These can help with cognition, memory, moods and concentration. You can get omega-3 oils from fish oil, canola oil or cold-water fish. Flax seed oil contains 50% more omega-3 oils than fish oil.
2. Aids in digestion. Flax seed oil is very helpful to digestion. It can help with constipation, be a buffer for excess stomach acids, may sooth ulcers and some studies have shown that it prevents buildup of toxins in the bowel.
3. Lignans. Flax seed oil also contains lignans, a chemical compound found in many plants. Lignans are one of the two major classes of phytoestrogens, which are natural antioxidants Lignans have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Some studies have also found that diets high in lignans may reduce the risk of breast and colon cancers. You can get lignans from whole grains, but flax seed oil contains 100 times more lignans than whole grains.
4. Vitamins and minerals. Flax seed oil also contains B vitamins, potassium, zinc, iron, vitamin E, carotene, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorous, manganese, silicon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and cobalt. It also aids in the absorption of calcium.
5. Lecithin. Lecithin emulsifies fat and cholesterol, improves digestion, stabilizes blood glucose, enhances cardiovascular heath and may actually fight tumor formation.
6. Other components. Flax seed oil also contains fiber and protein.

Body builders speak highly of flax seed oil and some claim that it shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles, and increases stamina and may even accelerate healing of sprains and bruises.

Flax seed oil may take up to six weeks before you see results, so don't stress if you don't see immediate improvements to your health.

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