Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum or anus. They can be mild, with occasional itching and discomfort, or painful enough to warrant surgery. Constipation is one of the many potential causes of hemorrhoids, and the fiber in flax can help prevent constipation. Always seek counsel from your health care practitioner before self-treating for hemorrhoids or adding flax supplements to your diet.
About Hemorrhoids
Your rectum and anus are lined with veins. When these veins become engorged with blood, the result is a painful swelling known as a hemorrhoid. These veins can swell because of pressure exerted on your rectal area, often due to pregnancy, obesity, extended periods of sitting or straining during a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids occurring inside your rectum might not cause symptoms unless they protrude outside your anus. External hemorrhoids lcan be quite painful. Because constipation can lead to straining during bowel movements and the subsequent development of hemorrhoids, keeping your stools soft may help prevent this condition.
About Fiber
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate your body is unable to digest. Although you receive no nutrients from dietary fiber, it is a critical component of digestive health because of the bulk it provides to your intestinal tract. This bulk helps waste products move through your intestines smoothly and assists in keeping your bowel movements regular, reducing the likelihood of constipation and hemorrhoids. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Ground flaxseed is also a particularly good source of dietary fiber.
Benefits of Flax
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant, valued for both its fiber and heart-healthy fats. Ground to release its nutrients, flaxseed provides fiber that serves as a laxative and stool-bulking agent to help relieve and prevent constipation. You can purchase ground flaxseed, or you can buy seeds in bulk and grind them in a spice grinder yourself. Although flaxseed oil is a common nutritional supplement, it does not contain the fiber component of ground flaxseed that may help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.
Recommendations
To keep your bowel movements comfortable and regular and to decrease your risk of hemorrhoids, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends including 25 to 30 g of fiber in your daily diet. If you are unused to this level of fiber consumption, increase your intake slowly to avoid constipation while your intestines adjust. For example, begin by adding 1 tsp. of flax to your morning cereal and gradually increase the amount until you consume 1 or more tbsp. of ground flaxseed each day. Drink plenty of water with your increased fiber intake to add needed bulk to your stools.
