Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed is 35% oil, and 55% of that oil includes the crucial omega-3 fatty acid and 45% Omega-6 fatty acid. Remember, both omega-3 and 6 are essential oils that need to be included in your diet to promote heart health but are sorely missing in the foods we eat today. Essential means that your body cannot make it but requires it and so must derive all of it from the food you eat.
Flaxseed Fiber
Flaxseed is 35% fiber with one-third being Soluble (digestible) Fiber and two-thirds Insoluble (non-digestible) Fiber. Soluble Fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugars, thereby helping with both heart disease and diabetes.
Lignans
Lignans are an exciting type of insoluble fiber that act as phytoestrogens and have been shown to help relieve the symptoms of menopause, as well as having anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It is the anticancer effects of lignans that have received the most research lately.
Suggested Daily Usage
4 Tablespoons of Flaxseed or 1/4 cup of seeds is the suggested daily usage. Flaxseed is a hard seed that needs to be ground into fine flour and this is easily accomplished with most coffee grinders. Immediately pour the flaxseed flour into a glass and add at least twice as much liquid. Stir and drink immediately. If the drink is too thick, add more liquid then stir and drink. Any kind of juice will work, and is also tasty with just plain water. Add a couple of Tablespoons or more of ground flaxseed to Pancakes, Yogurt, Cereal, Soups, Salads, Smoothies, Peanut Butter for smaller children and whatever else you can think of.
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Weight Control
Not only is flaxseed such a complete whole food source, but also an incredible natural weight control food! There are two major reasons for this:
Fiber & Protein
Flaxseed is 35% fiber which acts as a "bulking agent" and swells 3 to 4 times its size when ingested. This is why it is so important to drink plenty of liquid with your ground flaxseed.
Flaxseed is 30% protein, therefore it digests slowly in your stomach and keeps you "full" longer.
For the benefit of using flaxseed to control your weight, simply use it as a meal or snack replacement several times a day, but do not eat anything for at least 45 minutes after ingesting the flax. Let the flaxseed swell so that when you do eat regular food, you probably won't eat as much.
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