Fantastic Flax -- How Does it Work?

Flax seed is often recommended by dieticians for its various beneficial effects in the body. However, if you're anything like the average person, you wouldn’t know a flax seed if it came up and kissed you in the street! Today we are looking at the benefits of flax seed whole food supplements as a regular part of your diet, and exactly how they work in the body.

Flax is also known as linseed; it is this name which is most commonly used when flax is incorporated into bread. The nutritional basics of flaxseed, for a hundred gram quantity, are:

• 450 kCal
• 41 grams of fat
• 28 grams of fiber
• 20 grams of protein

Flax whole food supplement is known to be extremely high in fiber -- it is one of the foods highest in dietary fiber known to humans. Fiber has a whole range of health benefits, including making people feel full faster (and therefore reducing the risk of overeating), speeding the passage of foods through the digestive system (and reducing the re-absorption of harmful chemicals in the waste), lowering LDL and total cholesterol, and helping regulate blood sugar (reducing mood swings, insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes).

Flax is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, and for people that don't eat fish (or are concerned about heavy metal contamination of fish), is a great dietary source. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in various studies to help in conditions like:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Immune-suppressing conditions
• Autism and ADD
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Like other whole grains and bran cereals, flax seed whole food supplements are high in lignans. These are known to be potent antioxidants; this is the reason for flax's possible anti cancer potential.

There are, however, a few cautions about the use of flax seed whole food supplements for certain individuals. These include:

• People at increased risk of prostate cancer should not take flax seed oil -- the Mayo Clinic completed research showing that alpha linoleic acid in flax oil could increase prostate cancer risk.
• People with irritable bowel syndrome may have an adverse reaction to flax seed, experiencing worse cramping and diarrhea.
• Ask your doctor if the phytoestrogens in flax seed whole food supplements could interact with any of your conditions or other medications.