The Big Benefits of Little Flaxseed in Your Diet

Little flaxseed packs a big punch in its abilities for our health. Some of its purported uses include helping to lower cholesterol, decreasing bone loss, increasing immunity, stabilizing blood sugar, promoting weight loss and fighting cancer. In addition to being high in both insoluble and soluble fiber, flaxseed is also high in a variety of other critical nutrients that offer us a world of health benefits.

Phytochemicals

Due to being a plant, flaxseed is one of the primary sources of the powerful antioxidant lignans. These are phytoestrogens that pretty much act like estrogen, a hormone in the body. Lignans are believed to help in protecting your body against cancer.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You have probably heard of these and for good reason. These acids are a major player in fighting inflammation. Flaxseed provides a mega source of alpha-linolenic acid. This acid is believed to be beneficial for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and asthma.

Vitamins and Minerals

Flaxseed contains magnesium, the majority of the B vitamins and manganese. Magnesium is critical for certain enzymes in the body to function, protein production, relaxation and contraction of muscles and transport and production of energy.

Manganese is a trace mineral. It is necessary in helping in the formation of the bones, sex hormones, connective tissues and blood clotting factors. This trace mineral is also necessary for helping to fight free radicals, normal nerve and brain function, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, blood sugar regulation and calcium absorption.

The B vitamins, in a nutshell, help to form red blood cells and are involved in making and getting energy from the food we eat.

Overall Health Benefits

Flaxseed is said to be beneficial in helping to fight cancer. The lignan concentration is believed to inhibit tumor growth, specifically in the case of breast cancer or colon cancer.

The alpha-linolenic acid is believed to play a role in increasing immunity by decreasing inflammation. While the research is only preliminary, it is believed that this may be beneficial for certain inflammatory disorders and autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Due to the fiber content, flaxseed is believed to help regulate your bowel movements and help to relieve constipation. The fact that it expands when you ingest it, it is believed to help with weight loss because you should feel fuller, faster.

Studies show that flaxseed also has some benefit in decreasing bone loss, and lowering blood sugar levels and lowering cholesterol levels.

Resources

University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed