Flax Oil

Some of you have been asking me about Flax Seed Oil and I am here to say I take it daily and have been for about two and a half years. I have a capsule in the morning before breakfast and one again before dinner. I also have the ground flax that I use while cooking. Again, I am not a dietitian. I am only telling you my opinion and what I have researched! My old dietitian told me about it and then later my trainer said it helped with all sorts of things--including weight loss (It helps make things flow easier)! Talk to your doctor and do your own research and then decide if you want to take it daily.

It has been nicknamed as the healing oil, flax oil is one of the healthiest types of oil available. It contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in relation to omega-6 fatty acids. It has many health benefits, such as...

Weight loss

This is not speculation, but researched fact. A diet higher in Omega-3 fatty acids of which High Lignan Flax Oil is the richest source, will have more lean muscle, lower bodyfat, and better health. In fact, the Omega-3's are so important, that they have been found to be all of the following:

Cholesterol reducing (the perfect fat to include in a high protein diet)
Anti-lipogenic (they block fat storage)
Anti-catabolic (they prevent muscle breakdown)
Increase lipolysis and beta oxidation (Fat burning - even the brown fat cells in the love handles)
Improve insulin sensitivity (Keeping blood sugar levels down and metabolism high)
Increase thermogenesis (Slightly elevated body temperature promotes faster fat burning

In researching exactly what this "Great Oil" does I found that adding flax seed oil to your foods, or taken with a meal, creates a feeling of satiation (feeling of fullness and satisfaction following a meal). The essential fats in flax seed oil cause the stomach to retain food for a longer period of time as compared to no-fat or low-fat foods. The addition of Flax seed Oil to food results in a gradual release of nutrients into the small intestine. The physiological effect is a slow, sustained rise in blood sugar, then a prolonged plateau of blood sugar. Ultimately, the blood sugar undergoes a slow and gradual drop.

Heart
Flax oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. More than half of the oils found in the flax seed come in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids help to create flexible membranes in the cell walls and produce a substance that helps prevent blood clotting. Thus, flax oil can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Also, those who regularly take flax oil have lower blood pressure than those who do not.

Menopause
Flax oil contains 10 times the amount of lignans found in other typical sources such as sesame and rye. Lignans are polyphenolic antioxidants that can interfere with the negative effects that estrogen hormones have on the body's metabolism. Results from a study reported in the American Institute for Cancer Research Newsletter in 1998 found that taking flax oil daily reduced the size of tumors in some patients with postmenopausal breast cancer. In addition to this, the lignans found in the flax oil can help with the alleviation of osteoporosis, which can appear after menopause.

Bones
The omega-3 fatty acids in flax oil can lead the body to create series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, which are anti-inflammatory molecules. These substances can be quite effective in the reduction of inflammation in the cells. This can help alleviate medical conditions such as arthritis and migraines. In addition to this, the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax oil can promote bone health by preventing excessive bone loss.

Anti-Aging
Manganese is one of the minerals that is abundantly found in flax oil. It functions to help in the formation of connective tissue and bones. In addition to these benefits, manganese is necessary for the brain and nerves to function normally. Furthermore, it is necessary in order to produce manganese superoxide dismutase, which is a kind of antioxidant that can remove free radicals. Free radicals damage the membranes in cells, leading to aging and possibly diseases such as cancer.

Pregnancy
Flax oil is a rich source of folate, which acts as a co-enzyme for many of the body's functions. Folate helps in the production of new cells and the formation of DNA. Flax oil is beneficial for pregnant women because it can help keep the fetus healthy by prevention of defects in the neural tube. The folate found in flax oil can also prevent the formation of problems in the heart, nerves and limbs of the fetus.

Always looking for little tips for you! Have a great day!

**Info from WebMD