The health benefits of flaxseed are many. It is a great source of essential fatty acids, especially for vegetarians. The oil derived from the actual seed has a rich concentration of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. Flaxseed is also a fantastic source of lignans and fiber.
Most Westernized diets contain too many omega-6 fats and too few omega-3 fats, but omega-3s benefit our health in a variety of ways. Ideally our dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 should be 4:1 however, with the abundance of vegetable oils, margarines, and processed and convenience foods available, our fatty acid ratio is probably closer to an unhealthy 30:1. Flax provides us with a rich source of omega-3, aiding in rebalancing this ratio and therefore helping in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer, as well as in beautifying us through improved skin, hair, and nails. Continue reading “The Benefits of Flaxseed”
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