Flaxseeds, The Natural Cure For Many Ills
Flaxseeds contain several B vitamins as well as minerals such as Copper, Manganese, Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc. But the two truly remarkable constituents of flaxseeds are Omega-3 fatty acids and lignans.
Omega-3 fatty acids are credited with improving
• mental health (incl. depression, anxiety, ADHD in children as well as age-related decline in the aging)
• eye health
• cardiovascular health
• bone and joint health (including osteoporosis)
Omega-3 fatty acids are also known to fight
• inflammation
• autoimmune diseases
They may lower
• the risk of stroke
• cholesterol levels
• blood pressure levels
Omega-3 fatty acids benefit skin health and appearance, can help restore the wake and sleep cycle, and may even help you lose weight.
Flaxseeds are the richest source of lignans. (Lignans are polyphenols and precursors to phytoestrogens.) Lignans have cancer-fighting properties and help control symptoms of menopause.
Interestingly, flaxseeds are believed to reduce the risk and slow the progression of prostate cancer. Flaxseeds contain lysine which blocks the androgen sex hormone DHT. DHT is blamed for causing prostate cancer, male hair loss, and the development of male characteristics in aging women.
IMPORTANT: Flaxseeds may interact with some medications and hormone therapy. They should be avoided by patients who experienced intestinal blockage, pregnant or nursing mothers. To be on the safe side, consult your doctor before adding flaxseeds to your daily health routine.
Flaxseeds are a power food a health-conscious person should incorporate into their diet and self-care. Flaxseeds strengthen the immune system (by supporting healthy bacteria in the gut); help regulate bowel movement and do wonders for skin and eyes! (I became a believer in the first 24 hours of use!)
There are many sophisticated cooking recipes involving flaxseeds available online. If you are into cooking: go for it. But if you’re not, here are two foolproof ways to get you started.
1/ Take a cup of filtered water and sprinkle 1 tbs of whole flaxseeds over it. Cover and let it stand for 10 hours. After 10 hours, stir and drink it. Yes, you can eat the seeds, too. (If you’re looking for something sexier, do the exact same thing but instead of water, use a cranberry juice….)
2/ Take a cup of plain (it’s the healthiest) yogurt and sprinkle 1 tbs of flaxseed MEAL (ground flaxseeds) over it. Let it stand for an hour or two. Stir and enjoy!
You don’t have to be a chef to benefit from flaxseeds…
More about flaxseeds:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-flaxseeds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/lignans
https://pickledplum.com/flaxseed-benefits-that-have-changed-my-life/
https://manmatters.com/blog/flax-seeds-benefits/
Photo credit: Pezibear on Pixabay
