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For centuries, flax seed oil has been used in painting and varnishing as a drying oil and is one of the oldest commercial oil products in the known world.
However, in more recent times, the health benefit of flax seed oil has come to light, and the oil has become a basic nutritional supplement for many purposes. |
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The Many Benefits of Flax Seed Oil.
First of all, flax seed oil is a prime source of omega-3, the healthy fat that is essential to a diet. Most omega-3 oils are taken from fish products, but both brown and yellow (or golden) flax seeds are rich in the substance. Brown seeds are more often used in paints or as fiber and cattle feed. However, the yellow seeds are frequently used in food products. Unfortunately, the omega-3 oils in the flax seeds have been difficult for the human body to absorb in comparison to those in fish, so this has led to the production of a new breed of flax seeds, referred to as “omega”.
The Omega strain is the primary seed used for flax seed oil now, since it is easier for the human body to retain the omega oils in this variety. As a seed, it has a nutty-buttery flavor and can be added to oatmeal, yogurt, or other products in which the eater desires a crunchy or nutty consistency and taste.
For those who wish to cook in a healthier manner, you can replace one egg with a tablespoon of ground flax seeds and three tablespoons of water. The oil is more commonly reserved for use as an alternative to heavy vegetable oils, especially when dressing salad with oil and vinegar. This lighter oil mixes better with the vinegar for an overall more consistent coverage. The health benefit of flax seed oil can also be reaped through the ingestion of capsules containing the oil, which will dissolve in the digestive system and disperse the substance accordingly.
There are several health benefits of this supplement due to its concentration of omega-3 oils, especially for populations that have little access to a fish diet. These healthy fats can help to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and the formation of plaque in arteries. There is also evidence to suggest that the supplement can help to control blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
One of the more recent developments in determining the health benefits of flax seed oil has come from the University of Toronto. In clinical studies, the administration of flax seed oil has reduced tumor growth in mice, particularly in tumors that are typically found in post-menopausal breast cancer. This is believed to be an effect of lignans in the flax seeds, and these are additives used in the tamoxifen that is typically prescribed to treat breast cancer patients. Studies conducted on humans are believed to show positive results in the future. While flax seed oil holds the possibility of treating other types of cancer, including prostate cancer, the results are both fewer and less promising in nature. Studies continue, since there are no known flax seed oil side effects.
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