Seeds from the flax plant possess medicinal and nutritional value. It not only promotes digestive health by acting as a laxative, it also contains essential fatty acids that make it a heart-healthy supplement. Before taking flaxseed, consult a qualified professional.
Calories
"The Scoop on Flax Seed," a nutrition handout from the University of New Hampshire's Health Services, lists 36 as the amount of calories in 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed. The handout recommends ingesting one to three tablespoons per day to take advantage of flaxseed's health benefits; to be safe, you should only do so on the advice of a doctor or nutritionist.
Additional Nutrients
Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains roughly 1.6 grams of protein, 3.3 grams of fat and 2.2 grams of fiber. Of the 3.3 grams of fat, 1800mg are omega-3 fatty acids. Alpha-linolenic acid, the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed, cannot be created by the human body; you must obtain it through diet. ALA may help to decrease the risk of heart attacks, lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
Considerations
While omega-3 fatty acids may improve the health of your heart, they may also make taking medications that thin your blood dangerous. Taking ground flaxseed may also interfere with diabetes medications, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. If you have schizophrenia, breast cancer or prostate problems, flaxseed is probably not an appropriate addition to your diet.
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