Benefits of Flax seed Oil in Heart Disease

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in Nov 2004; Updated in Aug 2006 

Benefits of Flax seed Oil - Heart Disease/Cholesterol Lowering

Its high content of alpha linolenic acids has made flax seed oil become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Benefits of flax seed oil as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits of flax seed oil show that flax seed may also help lower blood triglycerides and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the chance of a heart attack.

Other Benefits of Flax seed Oil

Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type of phytoestrogen and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease -- including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flax seed oil in IBD (Crohn's Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

Moderately include flax seed in your diet. Indeed, a lot of food products contain flax seed such as bread, cereal and bakery goods. Bakers may use flax seed flour or include flax seed in baking.

5 Tips to include flax seed in home cooking:

Sprinkle ground flax seed on your cereal and salads
Substitute flax seed mixture for eggs in home baking such as muffin and pancake (1 tbsp milled flaxseed, plus 3 tbsp water = 1 egg). Final products will have less volume and taste gummier
Include flax seed oil in other recipe when nutty flavor is preferred
Substitute flax seed oil for other oils

Further Reading: Flaxseed vs. Flaxseed Oil: which one is better? High Cholesterol Diet Omega 3 fatty acids

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