Health and Fitness Oasis

Holistic medicine and health food professionals are extolling the benefits of flaxseed oil and milled flaxseed. This plant, originally found in Europe, has been used as a source of fiber for many years.

Flaxseed contains lignans, which are used to counter hormone related problems and also to ward off the ill effects of bacteria and fungi. There are several studies that show the benefits are extensive while there are other scientists who claim the research isn’t conclusive and more studies are required before physicians could recommend the use of flaxseed oil for specific ailments.

More recently scientists have discovered that the plant and oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for people who are suffering from cardiac problems and lupus.

The dietary fiber in flaxseed, both the oil and the seeds, has been used to help treat people with constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticular diseases. By helping the stool to be softer and pass more easily through the colon and exit the body flaxseed helps to decrease the consistent trauma to the colon and anus.

There is some research and case studies that point to the benefits of flaxseed oil and the EFA’s (essential fatty acids) to decrease the inflammation with acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn and rosacea. The Omega-3 fatty acids also help to keep your hair healthy and your nails strong.

Other studies point to the benefits of flaxseed oil within the neurological system. It appears to help reduce the severity of nerve damage and aids in triggering nerve impulses. There is some belief that it also helps to combat the damage done to the nervous system by Parkinson’s Disease.

Flaxseed can be used as oil, a capsule or as milled or whole seeds. The whole seeds can be sprouted and added to salads but the benefits are not as concentrated as the oils. There are some uses of the oil and capsules on the outside of the body as people use it to moisturize the skin. However, flaxseed oil also has a bit of a ‘fishy’ odor so smearing it all over your skin may make for some interesting conversation!

The benefits of flaxseed oil are from the ingestion of the oils. You can use the oil in salad dressing, sprinkle crushed seeds over your salad or use the crushed or milled seed in breads.

Most recently research has been done to confirm the benefits of flaxseed oil and the potential to prevent kidney damage in patients with lupus. More studies need to be done on this particular use and others before it can be recommended for use. However, there don’t appear to be side effects from taking flaxseed either.

As a cautionary note – flaxseed is sold for uses other than ingestion or external use for humans. It can be used in plantings and gardening. These particular products are not meant for humans and should never be used as such.

Flaxseed oil benefits are many and varied and almost too good to be true. Except that it’s a natural product that appears to have years of studies to back up the varied claims. The decision is yours on how you would use flaxseed oil and the milled seeds but the side effects are minimal to none. So the question is – why not give it a try?

Check out the finest quality flaxseed oil at: Herbal Remedies

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm and is filed under Health Tips, remedies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.