Flax is a plant that is cultivated for its seed which is the source of flaxseed oil – a rich source of compounds that is used for its medicinal value.
Flaxseed oil is loaded with essential fatty acids. These are essential compounds that help to make your systems function normally. But since the body doesn’t have the ability to produce them on its own, you need to get it from natural food sources, such as the flaxseed oil.
Essential fatty acids work to protect your cell membranes from damage and to optimize their main function of admitting useful substances and rejecting harmful ones.
EFAs also contain omega 3 fatty acids which help to provide nourishment to your brain and health to your heart.
Here are some of the health benefits of flaxseed oil.
1. It helps to prevent heart diseases.
Flaxseed oil is rich in essential fatty acids which can help to prevent and treat heart diseases. It also helps to lower bad cholesterol levels which are one of the main causes of high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
2. It helps to prevent inflammation.
Omega-3 fatty acids help to prevent inflammation which is caused by gout, lupus and fibrocystic breasts. It can alleviate joint pains and inflammation of the skin, joints and kidneys. Aside from these benefits, omega-3 also helps to facilitate absorption of iodine, especially on women who are suffering from fibrocystic breasts.
3. It helps to prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders and gallstones.
Flaxseeds are rich in dietary fiber, an essential substance that your body needs in optimizing the functions of your digestive tract. This can lead to the prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticular diseases. It can also help to repair damage on the intestinal tract and prevent the formation of gallstones and dissolve existing ones.
4. It helps to keep your skin healthy and protected from acne, eczema, psoriasis and sunburn.
Flaxseed essential oil contains skin-healing properties which help to protect your skin from eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Thanks to the essential fatty acids which can do a lot of wonders for your overall health.
5. It helps to promote healthy hair and nails.
The abundance of EFAs in flaxseed oil which includes omega-3 can help to give you lustrous hair and healthy nails.
6. It helps to prevent nerve damage that can lead to numbness and tingling. It may also help to treat Parkinson’s disease.
7. It may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
This still needs further studies. But according to research conducted by the University of Toronto, the lignans in flaxseed oil may help to benefit people who are suffering these types of cancer.
Flaxseed oil also helps to treat menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, female infertility, male infertility, and impotence.
