Flaxseed is one of the most versatile seeds on the planet. It has been used for centuries as a health food staple, to make the textile fiber Linen and the oil from flaxseed (otherwise known as Linseed oil) is used to make paint.
History
Flaxseed is thought to have originated in Mesopotamia (which is now modern Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq) widely considered the cradle of civilization.
The health benefits of flaxseed were widely known all throughout ancient Greece and Rome - in fact Hippocrates the Father of modern medicine, used the flaxseed extensively for medicinal purposes. The flaxseed was first introduced and cultivated in North America by the early colonists and today Canada is the world's largest producer.
Health Benefits
What makes flaxseed so beneficial to your health is that it is a rich source of a group of compounds called Lignans. These compounds have shown to be protective against hormone sensitive cancers such as breast, uterine and prostate cancers.
As Lignans are broken down in your intestine, they produce compounds which interfere with the cancer promoting effects of excess estrogen. Additionally, flaxseed can help prevent cancer because it has a high soluble fiber content which blocks the absorption of carcinogenic chemicals in your intestinal tract and eliminates them through regular bowel movements.
Studies have also shown that Lignans interfere with the production of the inactive form of testosterone called Dihydro-testosterone (DHT), which plays a role in male pattern baldness and prostate growth otherwise known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Flaxseed is also one of the richest plant based sources of the polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acid called Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), which is considered essential to human health since it must be obtained through the diet.
Not only does flaxseed contain Omega-3 fatty acids, but it also contains moderate amounts of Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids, all of which help to protect against cardiovascular disease by lowering the "bad cholesterol" called Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and also by reducing the incidence of blood clots.
Studies also suggest that the Omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed help reduce inflammation in the body by interfering with the production of inflammatory hormone like substances called prostaglandins. Inflammation is now thought to be a major causal factor in diseases such as heart disease, cancer and dementia.
Preparation and Usage
Since the human digestive tract cannot break down the hard outer shell of whole flaxseed, it's recommended that you grind the raw flaxseeds (1 tablespoon in a coffee grinder works best) right before you consume them. You may notice initially that you experience mild intestinal gas, but this will subside over time as your body adjusts to the increased fiber intake.
Ground flaxseed can be added to recipes for muffins, bread and other baked goods. It can also be sprinkled on hot cereals such as oatmeal and added to yogurt. Whole flaxseed keeps indefinitely if stored in a sealed jar and kept at room temperature.
You can purchase prepackaged ground flaxseeds at the market, but this is not recommended because the nutritional content quickly begins to deteriorate shortly after processing.
Many health conscious individuals consume flaxseed oil daily - however, although there are some benefits found in the oil (such as Omega-3 fatty acids), it is lacking in the other healthful compounds found in the whole seed like fiber, Lignans, protein and minerals.
Flaxseed oil is also fairly unstable and will quickly begin to oxidize or go rancid when exposed to light and/or heat, which is the reason it should never be used for cooking and it must be stored in an opaque container in the refrigerator.
If you do decide to make flaxseed oil a regular part of your diet, then it's best used on salads as a dressing and in smoothies or protein shakes to increase their Omega-3 fatty acid content.
I hope that this article has given you some insight into the health benefits of whole flaxseed and by adding it to your daily diet, you'll become a big believer in the need for this amazing seed!
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