Health Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

Nowadays, a great variety of oils, which can be used for cooking and as healthy meal ingredients, are available in our markets and shops. Those are good old sunflower oil and olive oil, corn oil and peanut oil,  and controversial rapeseed oil. Other oils, like fish oil or flaxseed oil, are very rich in useful elements and especially omega 3, omega 6 an omega 9 fatty acids, but these oils are not used for frying and are more likely to be consumed in the forms of capsules or supplements. However, flaxseed oil (also known as linseed oil) can be also added to salads or other dishes, as an important element of healthy nutrition plan.

Flaxseed oil is definitely one of the most beneficial oils. It is obtained by cold pressing from the seeds of the flax (Linum usitatissimum), a blue flowering plant. In contrast to fish oil, which is a very popular natural health-promoting product, flaxseed or linseed oil has great amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid that converts to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the most valuable omega 3 fatty acids which help in cholesterol level regulation. This is supposed to be the most important therapeutic property of linseed oil.

The other main health benefits of flaxseed oil take source from high content of other types of fatty acids. In addition to reducing the risks of having cancer, regular consumption of flaxseed oil (in reasonable amounts) is linked to positive effects on skin and blood, reduced risks of blood clots formation and constipation relief. A variety of health benefits of flaxseed oil is associated with preventing the most common and hard diseases of modern aged people, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, poor mental function and others. Flaxseed oil is one of the most effective remedies to improve fat metabolism and calcium absorption, contributing to good dental health.

Specialists underline that linseed oil and its products have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and can be very effectively used to combat influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and other infectious diseases. This oil can be used by those who have such ailments as glaucoma, psoriasis, autism, panic attacks, Lyme disease, and emphysema. Also, flaxseed oil supplements are recommended to those who have asthma and suffer from frequent migraines and depressions. Products of linseed oil can be used for strengthening hair and nails, for improving the eyesight and even to assist weight loss. Finally, this oil can act as a natural aphrodisiac and improve stamina!

To enjoy all the above mentioned health benefits of flaxseed oil, it is enough to add to your daily diet only 1-2 tablespoons of this oils. The easiest way is adding some drops of this oil to your veggie salads, or buy a flaxseed oil product in your health food store.  Other ideas for using linseed oil is to add a tablespoon of it into your bakery, sprinkle several drops of it on your cereal, muffins or sandwich, or add several drops to your mayonnaise or mustard meal dressing. However, before starting any type of therapy involving linseed oil, do not forget to contact your doctor and ask for more information about this natural remedy.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

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