Flax Seed & Health

Flax seed health benefit # 1

When discussing flax seed health benefits, it is of course impossible not to mention the high amounts of beneficial fatty acids present in flax seed. Flax seed contains a type of Omega 3 fatty acid known as ALA. In the human body, ALA is converted into Omega 3 EPA and Omega 3 DHA. The positive health benefits gained from a diet high in Omega 3 was recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2004, after many years of comprehensive studies. American flax seed producers are today allowed to place the following FDA approved informational text regarding flax seed health benefits on their products:

"Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of [name of food] provides [x] grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content.]

Flax seed health benefit # 2

Other important flax seed health benefit is their high fiber content. A 100 gram serving of flax seed contains around 30 grams of dietary fibers, which is very high compared to most other food products. If you know that you currently have a low-fiber diet and want to enjoy the flax seed health benefits, simply sprinkle a few tablespoons of ground flax seed over your cornflakes or include some ground flax seed in your favorite cup cake recipe.

One single tablespoon of flax seed will give you 3.35 grams of dietary fibers, which is over 13% of the recommended daily fiber intake for healthy adults. If you were to eat a cup of flax seed every day, e.g. by including it in your daily bread, sprinkle it over your breakfast cereals, eating flax seed cup cakes, mixing it into a tasty shake or smoothie and so on, you would actually get more than the recommended American RDA – just from the flax seeds!

The good thing about fibers is however that exceeding the RDA is perfectly safe and even considered healthy. If you are currently on a low-fiber diet, it is however better to make a slow change rather than stuffing yourself with half a cup of flax seed from day one. When the digestive tract is used to getting very little fiber, it must be given a chance to gradually accommodate to a new fiber-rich diet. If you force the change, you may experience increased gas, stomach ache and loose stools. Start out by eating one no more than one teaspoon of ground flax seed per day if you want to take advantage of the many flax seed health benefits without experiencing any of the side effects.

Flax seed health benefit # 3

Flax seed is a rich source of vitamin E; a fat soluble compound present in flax seed oil. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that will protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are essential a good thing since they carry out important tasks in the human body, but when we stick to a diet low in antioxidants they are allowed to roam free and can then cause a lot of damage. One of the main flax seed health benefits is therefore the increased control over free radicals provided by vitamin E.

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Information about how flax seed can improve your health