If you are thinking of increasing omega 3 in your diet, the benefits of flaxseed oil and fish oil are two excellent options. But, our todays’ focus is on the amazing benefits of flaxseed oil.
Flaxseed oil comes from highly nutritious flaxseed. Similar to the seed, it contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids which aid in having healthier brains and hearts, decreased inflammation, and good skin and hair.
Flaxseed oil contains 50-60% percent omega-3 fatty acids content in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
A tablespoon of flaxseed oil, with its nutty and somewhat sweet flavor, is, fortunately, one of the healthy foods that is an easy addition to your daily routine, which is a fantastic tip considering all of its health benefits.
Similarly, the high content of this acid allows preventing more diseases than the fish oil itself, which is why most people today choose flaxseed oil, especially those who are not meat-eaters.
Omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in almost all kinds of body processes, including inflammation, heart health, and brain function. Omega-3 deficiency can lead to low levels of intelligence, generalized health problems, or some chronic diseases such as cancer or arthritis.
7 Benefits of Flaxseed Oil:
Flaxseed oil has numerous benefits when compared to other seeds of this type. Keep reading to find out!
Aids in Weight Loss
Thanks to its ability to lubricate the colon, flaxseed oil can function as a natural laxative. It is an excellent seed for keeping things moving within the digestive system. It helps pass down the food quickly through your body. This, in turn, is an efficient way to lose weight and detoxify your body.
Moreover, adding flaxseed oil as a carrier to essential oils for weight loss is another great tip to shed those stubborn pounds!
Improves Digestive Disorders
Among the best benefits of flaxseed oil is that it can act as a natural laxative for the colon. It can quickly relieve constipation symptoms. If you consume it regularly, you can get rid of the discomfort, inflammation, gas, and abdominal pain caused by slowed bowel movements.
As if that weren’t enough, it can also help patients who have recurring diarrhea, demonstrating flaxseed oil’s dual effectiveness in treating digestive problems.
Fights Cancer
The benefits of flaxseed oil as a natural medicine that focuses on cancer therapies are well-known worldwide. This may explain why most people use it in naturopathic treatments like the Budwig diet for cancer regimen.
Some studies show the benefits of flaxseed oil to be pretty productive in preventing some cancers, such as breast cancer. This is because the ALA acid that linseed oil possesses has the ability to reduce the growth of so-called cancer cell lines progressively.
Researchers believe this oil has the power to modify signaling pathways. These are used as supplemental therapy that can treat many types of breast cancer. By altering signaling pathways, ALA present in the seed slows down the growth of breast cancer cell lines. Thus, some researchers support using it as a low-cost complementary therapy for many breast cancers.
Eliminate Cellulite:
Do you want a know a natural solution for cellulite? It is natural for people to lose some collagen as they age. However, using flaxseed oil can help you significantly in enhancing collagen production.
If you want to reduce the damage caused by superficial fat and lack of collagen on your skin, include flaxseed oil in your daily diet. This can help you combat the unattractive areas that cellulite forms on your skin.
Reduces Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition resulting in dry, red, itchy skin that blisters or splits.
It happens due to an allergic response to food, chemicals, or other substances, such as perfumes or soaps. In addition to avoiding allergens, you can also improve eczema symptoms significantly through your diet.
Flaxseed oil is high in essential fatty acids. These can help enhance skin suppleness and smoothness, making it an excellent treatment for eczema and other skin disorders.
Heart Health Improves
There is a piece of evidence that eating foods high in alpha-linolenic acid such as flaxseed oil can help prevent and treat heart disease.
A study discovered that women who ate large amounts of ALA (1.5 grams per day) had a 46 percent lower risk of sudden cardiac mortality than women who ate the least quantity of ALA (approximately half a gram per day). Other population studies have found that as people consume more alpha-linolenic acid-rich foods, their risk of heart disease decreases.
Treats Sjogren’s Syndrome
Dry eyes and dry mouth are the two most prevalent symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune system condition. In addition, several studies have found a variety of possible correlations between food and tear duct health.
Precisely, one of these studies evaluated in-depth the abilities that linseed oil has to treat diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome. The findings revealed that treating patients who had Sjogren’s syndrome with oral flaxseed oil capsules (one or two grams per day) reduced ocular surface inflammation. It also alleviated symptoms of dry keratoconjunctivitis (dry eye).
Flaxseed Oil Nutrition
Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body converts into two omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that are found in fish oil.
When it comes to acid content, flaxseed oil’s nutrition is outstanding. A tablespoon of oil, which is a normal serving amount, comprises of approximately:
- 120 calories
- 01 grams of protein
- 6 grams of fat
How to Choose and Use Flaxseed Oil?
It is best to buy a cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil from a brand. It should be stored in an opaque bottle (typically black) to prevent oxidation. In addition to ALA, natural oils contain beneficial lignans. To avoid the weird taste, you can get it in pill form, but it is recommended to buy the oil.
One of the most convenient benefits of flaxseed oil is its versatility. It can be used instead of other oils for dressings and salad sauces. It is tasty and it’s frequently seen in protein smoothies and shakes.
It’s essential to keep the bottle well closed to avoid oxidation and rancidity; for best freshness, consume flaxseed oil within six to eight weeks of opening. If you aren’t planning to take flaxseed every day or are easily distracted, it’s best not a small bottle of flaxseed oil, to begin with.
Side Effects and Interactions With the Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil supplements are tolerated well by the body, with few reported side effects. This product is likely one of the safest for humans, especially when taken in suitable doses. However, soft stools and diarrhea can be caused by large doses of two teaspoons (30 grams) or more per day.
If you are on any of the following medications, you should see your doctor before taking flaxseed oil or other omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
How Flaxseed Oil Reacts When Taken With Medications?
- Anticoagulants (blood-thinning) work better when combined with omega 3 fatty acids like linseed oil.
- Supplementing anti-diabetic medications with omega-3 fatty acids may raise fasting blood sugar levels, which may increase the need for medication.
- Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine (Sandimmune) treatment may lessen the harmful side effects of this medication in transplant patients, such as high blood pressure and renal damage. But it can potentially have negative consequences.
BOTTOM LINE
Packed with numerous benefits, flaxseed oil is your go-to seed for various health issues, but to increase your omega 3 intake, taking it with fish oil can make the blood excessively thin. So before taking them at the same time, consult your doctor.
