The primary health benefit of the oil of the flaxseed, Linum usitatissimum, also called linseed oil, is due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Flaxseeds contain a high quantity of alphalinolenic acid, or ALA, a precursor to eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA. Because ALA has to be converted into EPA and DHA in the body, you have to eat more ALA-rich flax seeds to gain the same benefits you'd reap from eating mackerel, salmon and other fish that are rich in DHA and EPA.
Lowers Blood Pressure
According to World's Healthiest Foods, an International Study of Macro- and Micro-nutrients and Blood Pressure, or INTERMAP, study revealed modest but notable reduction in blood pressure in individuals consuming 2 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day, with a high percentage of their total daily caloric intake coming from foods rich in omega-3s. The study found identical results in people receiving omega-3s from fish and vegetable sources such as flaxseeds. Researchers indicate, however, that relying on omega-3 fatty acids alone cannot be a significant source of blood pressure reduction.
Lowers Triglyceride Levels
Diets very high in omega-3 fatty acids also improve the ratio of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins, to good fat, or high-density lipoproteins in the blood. The study cited by the U.S. National Library of Medicine used fish sources of omega-3s, with results inconclusive as to the effects of ALA on triglyceride levels. The study found benefits to be dose-dependent, which suggests that a large quantity of flaxseed oil would need to be consumed to see similar benefits over time.
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Given the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on cholesterol and blood pressure, it shouldn't be surprising that increasing your intake of omega-3s reduces your overall risk for all types of heart disease, including fatal and nonfatal heart attack. ALA is believed to have direct heart health benefits, including reducing blood clots, reducing inflammation, promoting blood vessel elasticity and reducing risk of irregular heart beat.
Improves Bone Health
ALA from flaxseeds can prevent bone loss and inflammation, according to a study published in Nutrition Journal and cited by World's Healthiest Foods. Unlike omega-6 fatty acids, which are found more commonly in animal food products, the prostaglandin hormones generated from omega-3 fatty acids reduce joint inflammation, potentially alleviating conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. A ratio of 1.6:1 omega-6 to omega-3s was indicated to have anti-inflammatory results in as little as six weeks.
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