Being natural substances, antioxidants are derived from various plants, including vegetables and fruits. Blueberries and cranberries are typically the fruits that are often touted by nutrition scientists as the crowning antioxidant rich foods. In the vegetable variety, russet potatoes, red beans, and red cabbage crown the list as well. However, there are also other fruits and vegetables that may contain more essential advantages to our health. One such food product is flax seed where we get the valuable flaxseed oil.
What is Flaxseed Oil?
Flaxseed Oil is also known as Linseed Oil. The oil is created from the seeds of the flax plant. Typically, linseed oil is the yellowish drying oil that is extracted and used as a carrier in oil paint and also as a wood finish. When the flax seed is cold pressed without the extraction, it is called flaxseed oil and is used as a nutritional supplement. More information than you need to know? Maybe, but I thought it was interesting that a lowly plant seed could be used for both furniture finish AND the next best nutritional supplement since the multi-vitamin.
Flaxseed oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are valuable in a whole host of ways - heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis to name a few. Omega 3 fatty acids are typically associated with fish oils but flaxseed oil provides a good alternative source of the Omega 3's for the vegetarian that prefers plant based supplements.
Lignan is a chemical compound found in plants that is a powerful antioxidant. Flaxseed oil contains one of the highest concentration of lignan known. Why is that important? Studies have shown populations that ingest a high amount of lignans have a lower occurrence of cancer. Lignans are antioxidant molecules with anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial qualities. These plant hormones are also believed to block the manufacturing of hormone-based tumors.
Here's an interesting tidbit:
Dark chocolate is also an antioxidant. It has the same antioxidants as tea.
Antioxidants have proven to have considerable health advantages and anti-aging qualities. As an antioxidant, the flaxseed oil’s lignans can help increase the body’s immune system, keeping harmful, disease-causing germs from harming the cells. Lignans also increase the manufacturing of a substance tied to estrogen and conducts it out of the body which also makes it helpful in relieving PMS symptoms.
Other advantages of flaxseed oil include helping to shelter the body against inflammations, high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides and promotes the absorption of calcium.
Flaxseed oil is an important nutritional supplement. Unlike considerable supplements promoted lately, flaxseed oil is not expensive.
