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Flax Oil Benefits

Nicknamed as the healing oil, flax oil is one of the healthiest types of oil available. It contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in relation to omega-6 fatty acids. Some of its nutrients include unsaturated alpha linolenic acid, vitamin E and carotene. Flax oil has many preventive and curative health benefits.

  1. Heart

    • Flax oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. More than half of the oils found in the flaxseed come in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids help to create flexible membranes in the cell walls and produce a substance that helps prevent blood clotting. Thus, flax oil can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Also, those who regularly take flax oil have lower blood pressure than those who do not.

    Menopause

    • Flax oil contains 10 times the amount of lignans found in other typical sources such as sesame and rye. Lignans are polyphenolic antioxidants that can interfere with the negative effects that estrogen hormones have on the body's metabolism. Results from a study reported in the American Institute for Cancer Research Newsletter in 1998 found that taking flax oil daily reduced the size of tumors in some patients with postmenopausal breast cancer. In addition to this, the lignans found in the flax oil can help with the alleviation of osteoporosis, which can appear after menopause.

    Bones

    • The omega-3 fatty acids in flax oil can lead the body to create series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, which are anti-inflammatory molecules. These substances can be quite effective in the reduction of inflammation in the cells. This can help alleviate medical conditions such as arthritis and migraines. In addition to this, the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax oil can promote bone health by preventing excessive bone loss.

    Anti-Aging

    • Manganese is one of the minerals that is abundantly found in flax oil. It functions to help in the formation of connective tissue and bones. In addition to these benefits, manganese is necessary for the brain and nerves to function normally. Furthermore, it is necessary in order to produce manganese superoxide dismutase, which is a kind of antioxidant that can remove free radicals. Free radicals damage the membranes in cells, leading to aging and possibly diseases such as cancer.

    Pregnancy

    • Flax oil is a rich source of folate, which acts as a co-enzyme for many of the body's functions. Folate helps in the production of new cells and the formation of DNA. Flax oil is beneficial for pregnant women because it can help keep the fetus healthy by prevention of defects in the neural tube. The folate found in flax oil can also prevent the formation of problems in the heart, nerves and limbs of the fetus.

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