Health Benefits of Eating Flaxseed

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil, also called linseed and linseed oil, contain several components that contribute to the health of several major body systems. Adults can take 1 or 2 tbsp. or capsules of flaxseed oil each day or they can add ground flaxseed to other dishes to benefit from the positive health effects.

Cancer Prevention

Preliminary studies show that the lignans in flaxseed may help prevent cancer.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease sufferers may find relief from symptoms when they eat flaxseed or take flaxseed supplements.

Heart Health

Flaxseed can improve cholesterol levels and decrease inflammatory proteins in the blood. These two actions as part of an overall healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of getting heart disease.

General Intestinal Health

Flaxseed is a source of dietary fiber which keeps the intestinal tract healthy and regulates bowel activity.

Menopause Symptoms

Studies have been done to study how flaxseed affects menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes. According the National Institutes of Health, some results show that it relieves these symptoms while others show that it doesn't.

References

• National Institutes of Health: Flaxseed
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed