Flaxseeds are slightly larger than sesame seeds and have a hard shell that is smooth and shiny. Their color ranges from deep amber to reddish brown depending upon whether the flax is of the golden or brown variety. While whole flaxseeds feature a soft crunch, the nutrients in ground seeds are more easily absorbed.
Benefits
Richest source of omega fatty acids and lignans (potent cancer
fighters) known in nature. The immune-enhancing omega fatty acids 3, 6, and
9 are balanced in the combination your body requires for optimal health.
Also loaded with vitamins and phytonutrients, and an excellent source of
protein and fiber, flaxseed is nature's gift to health!
Provides improved Immune Function - Immunity is the
body's ability to defend itself successfully against foreign substances. The
alpha linolenic acid, as well as the lignans, decreases inflammation and
promotes healthy functioning of the immune system. Flax seed may be useful
to manage autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid
arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.
Weight Management - research indicates that including
flaxseed in your daily diet can help you manage your weight. Besides
stabilizing your sugar levels, flax expands five times in bulk when
ingested. Flax taken half an hour before meals will help you eat less, so
you will lose weight while simultaneously strengthening your immune system.
Affect on Hormone Levels - Flax seed, with its high
concentration of lignans, is a great choice for all women, whether younger,
middle-aged, or older, as a natural way to normalize the menstrual cycle,
manage menopause, and lower the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and heart
disease. Intake of flaxseed on a daily basis results in hormonal changes
that are beneficial to women of all ages. In menstruating women who consumed
10 grams (about 2 teaspoons) of flax seed on a daily basis, significant
hormonal changes have resulted. These changes are similar to those seen
after consumption of soy isoflavones. Positive effects included fewer cycle
changes, along with a reduction in ovarian dysfunction. This, in turn, may
decrease the development of breast and other cancers. As women reach
menopause, the level of estrogens in their body decreases. This not only
gives rise to menopausal symptoms, but also increases the risk of disease,
including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In post-menopausal women
the protective effects of lignans is due primarily to their estrogenic
activity. Lignans have even been proposed as an alternative to
hormone-replacement therapy in post-menopausal women.
Protection against bone loss - Daily dietary intake of
flaxseed offers protection against bone loss, may increase bone density, and
reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Flax seeds have Anti-cancer Effects - Extensive studies
on both breast and colon cancer indicate that flax seed may play an
important role in cancer treatment, as well as prevention. A breast cancer
prevention program done at the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Toronto
Hospital, involving 50 women diag
