Flax Seed as a Dietary Supplement

Many people are raving about a new ingredient in dietary supplements: flax seed! Flaxseed comes from the flax plant. It contains a variety of essential fatty acids, the most beneficial of which is its omega-3 alpha linoleic acid, or ALA. Most of the uses of flax seed can be attributed to its ALA content.
Flax seed is used in a wide array of conditions. Flaxseed is high in fiber, and is used as a treatment for constipation. It can also help stabilize the sugar levels in your blood, making it especially useful for diabetic patients. Flaxseed also has antioxidant properties, which can fight off damage caused by dangerous free radicals. Thus, flaxseed is able to protect your body from developing debilitating diseases, such as certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and colon cancer. Flaxseed can also help protect bone health and prevent bone loss, protecting you from osteoporosis. It has also been noted to help re-establish hormonal balance, and can minimize the symptoms of menopause in older women. Some have even used it for dry eye syndrome and depression. Aside from these, flaxseed has also been shown to promote relaxation of the body and enhance healthy sleep patterns.
Flaxseed has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of ALA can result in diminished production of inflammatory chemicals in the body, thus minimizing inflammation. This makes flaxseed useful for certain medical conditions, such as arthritis and asthma.
Flaxseed has been studied extensively for its effects on the cardiovascular system. Researches have revealed that taking flaxseed can lower the levels of LDL cholesterol, the body’s “bad” cholesterol. Aside from this, individuals who were taking flaxseed were also noted to have a significant reduction in their blood pressure levels. Flaxseed was also discovered to have the ability to decrease the build up of plaque in the arteries by approximately 50%. Thus, people who are taking flaxseed supplements have a lower risk for serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Nowadays, flaxseed is also gaining popularity in the weight loss industry. Manufacturers claim that taking flaxseed can help suppress your appetite and make you feel full. At the same time, flaxseed can also promote the burning of calories and fat in your body. Flaxseed-based diet products also combine this ingredient with other high fiber components, such as wheat bran, oat bran and psyllium, in order to further achieve this effect. These products can help in cleaning out the toxins in the digestive tract and can help you lose unwanted weight.
Flaxseed is available in several forms, including seed, flour and oil. These forms can easily be incorporated into the food you eat. The seed form is very effective in providing the aforementioned benefits, but is not palatable. The best choice for most people is to take flaxseed in its capsule form, which is equally effective. Approximately 3000 mg (equivalent to 1 tablespoon of oil or 1-2 tablespoons of seed) of flaxseed a day is necessary in order to experience the full benefits.