Flax Oil & Hair Growth
Flax seed is rich in essential fatty acids. But, more specifically, flax seed contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, the "healthy fat" your body needs to function properly but doesn't produce on its own. The oil that comes from flax seed promotes healthy skin and nails and encourages hair growth. Combined with a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, flax oil can stimulate hair follicles and encourage growth. Does this Spark an idea?
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Flax Oil
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Flax oil is made from the brown seeds of the flax plant, an ancient plant known for its seeds and fiber for the production of linen. One of the best ways to overcome a deficiency of essential fatty oils is by taking flax seed oil, which contains the richest source of omega-3, apha-linolenic acid. Smaller quantities are found in walnuts, spinach, whole grains, soybeans and canola oil. Flax oil contains unsaturated fatty acids and is easily oxidized. Flax oil must be stored in a dark bottle in the refrigerator.
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The Balance of Omega-6 With Omega-3
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Unfortunately, most Western diets consist of more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet consists of 14 to 25 more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. It is recommended that the ratio be two to four times of omega-6 fatty acids. To ensure you are getting the proper ratio, reduce your intake of animal fat and oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids and increase your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax seed oil.
Dosage
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The recommended daily dosage of flax oil is 1 tbsp. of cold-pressed flax oil from organically grown flax seeds. However, you can take 2 tbsp. of ground flax seeds each day. Note that flax seeds must be ground; otherwise, they will passed straight through the body unused, forgoing any nutritional benefits. Although, flax seed is also known as linseed, which is commercially used to polish furniture or for oil painting, it is not the same as flax seed oil. Linseed oil is highly toxic if taken as a food supplement.
Hair Growth
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Hair grows on average half an inch per month. The hair gets a lot of beneficial effects from the use of supplements that contain essential fatty acids, such as flax oil. When hair looks dull and is dry, it is usually because there aren't enough omega-3 fatty acids in the body. By using flax oil, you can restore these essential fatty acids often associated with lifeless hair and stimulate healthy follicles.
Lifestyle
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In addition to flax oil, practicing sensible eating habits and following a dietary regimen can aid hair growth. Avoiding fad diets that deprive hair of the essential nutrients needed for hair growth is highly recommended. Using a towel to dry hair can protect hair follicles from breakage. In addition, massaging the hair with flax oil weekly can stimulate blood cells to the scalp and relieve stress, a contributing factor to hair loss.
References
- Photo Credit "KARPOV THE WRECKED TRAIN" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: karpov the wrecked train (kenny) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
