What is Flaxseed

Flaxseeds have been consumed for at least 6,000 years, making them one of the world’s first cultivated superfoods. What does flaxseed do for you that makes it one of the most popular “superfoods”? Flaxseeds contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids (although not the same type that fish, such as salmon, do) along with antioxidant substances called lignans that help promote hormonal balance in addition to several other benefits of flaxseed.

Benefits of flaxseed

Helps Decrease Menopausal and Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms

Lowering cholesterol and improving heart health

The fiber, phytosterols, and omega-3 content of flaxseed may help boost heart health. The lignans it contains may help protect against cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Phytosterols are molecules that are similar in structure to cholesterol, but they help prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. Eating foods that contain these nutrients may help reduce the levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, in the body.

In 2010, researchers at the Iowa State University's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center looked at the effect on cholesterol levels in men who consumed at least 3 tablespoons of flaxseed a day, including at least 150 milligrams (mg) of lignans. The men saw a decrease of nearly 10 percent in their cholesterol levels after 3 months. However, it did not have the same effect on women.

Prof. Suzanne Hendrich, who led the Iowa research, suggested that the different may be due to testosterone levels in men, which are lower in women.

In 2008, a study of 55 Native American women who had undergone menopause suggested that a daily intake of 30 g of flaxseed reduced their LDL cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent.

Fiber is also thought to help reduce cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber dissolves to produce a gel-like substance that can help reduce cholesterol and glucose levels.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend eating more fiber as part of a heart-healthy diet. One benefit is that it makes you feel full, so you are less likely to overeat.

Omega-3 oils, usually found in oily fish, have been linked to reductions in cardiovascular risk. Some researchers have suggested that flaxseed could offer an alternative to marine sources of omega 3.

include helping improve digestion, giving you clearer skin, lowering cholesterol, reducing sugar cravings, balancing hormones and even helping fight cancer — and that’s just the beginning!