Adding flax seed to your diet can make you healthier. Flax seed is high in three nutrients known to have positive health affects: omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and lignans. Flax seed is commonly found in three different forms. These are whole flax seed, ground flax seed and flax seed oil. Katherine Zeratsky, RD, of the Mayo Clinic, suggests choosing ground flax seed over whole flax seed to maximize benefits. Whole flax seeds are not easily digested. If the seeds are not broken down in digestion, the health benefits are not realized.
Improve Heart Health
Flax seed can help improve your heart health. According to the Flax Council of Canada, flax seed is high in omega-3 fatty acid and more specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). A study in "The Journal of Nutrition" led by Guixiang Zhao, PhD, found that ALA has the ability to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Katherine Zeratsky, RD, writes that flax seed can help improve heart health by improving cholesterol levels.
Reduce the Risk from Some Forms of Cancer
Flax seed is also very high in lingans. The Flax Council of Canada says that flax seed is one of the richest lingan sources. Lingans are part of a family of nutrients that have been shown to fight certain forms of cancer in studies conducted on laboratory animals. Flax seed's high ALA content may also reduce cancer risk. The Flax Council of Canada's research indicates ALA fights inflammation, which may slow cancer cell growth.
Prevent and Treat Constipation
Flax seeds are very high in soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is an important part of maintaining a health digestive track and preventing constipation. The Flax Council of Canada recommends consuming flax to relieve constipation.
FIght Inflammation
Elaine Magee, RD, writes that flax seed is a strong anti-inflammatory. Specifically Magee says that research indicates that the ALA and lingans may reduce inflammation linked to certain diseases, such as Parkinson's and asthma.
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