Flaxseed provides all eight essential amino acids and a wealth of nutrients, including Omega-3 andOmega-6 Essential Fatty Acids, digestive enzymes, protein, vitamins and minerals. Flaxseed is said to helplower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improve circulation and immune function and also to treat inflammatory disorders. New research indicates that the use of Flaxseed may also help to significantly reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.
Flaxseed has a variety of beneficial uses, which include reducing the risk factors of coronary heart disease, recent research has shown that Flaxseed’s high Omega-3 fatty acid and its soluble fiber content have helped to reduce serum triglycerides and blood pressure. It also helps to reduce the hardening effects of cholesterol on cell membranes. Most of the soluble fiber in Flax is mucilage gum, which is a thick, sticky substance that blocks cholesterol absorption and also helps balance blood-glucose levels, thereby making it useful for reducing high blood sugar.
Flaxseed is rich in fiber. As an important source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, it has been long used to treat constipation and promote regularity. The insoluble fiber swells in the bowel to produce a gentle, bulking laxative, and the high oil content lubricates the intestines. A high-fiber diet including Flaxseed has been linked to a reduced risk of many chronic diseases, including diverticulosis, certain malignant diseases, i.e., colon (the quicker waste is eliminated, the less time the colon is exposed to toxins and bacteria), Flaxseed also plays an important role in the clinical management of autoimmune diseases and certain hormone-dependent malignancies (breast, endometrial and prostate).
Flaxseeds have been used as a relaxing expectorant, easing sore throats and hacking coughs. Folk healers have long used the seeds to soothe any kind of lung or throat disturbance. The mucilage in Flaxseed has been effective for inflammations of the mucous membranes, which is soothing for many conditions including pharyngitis and gastritis.
Several studies have shown that Flaxseed’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties may reduce the pain, inflammation and swelling of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Flaxseed is also known to decrease hot flashes in post- menopausal women who do not take estrogen. The findings, published in the summer 2007 issue of the Journal indicated that the frequency of hot flashes in the subjects decreased fifty percent over six weeks, and the overall hot flash score decreased an average fifty-seven percent for the women who completed the trial. Participants also reported improvements in mood, joint or muscle pain, chills and sweating; which significantly improved their health-related quality of life.
Flaxseed is an old remedy for inflammations and ulcers and as a drawing poultice for boils and abscesses.