Fabulous Flax

Flaxseed, Linum usitatissium, and flaxseed oil have been used for thousands of years. Flax was and still is being used to make linen. There are a number of websites that sell linen clothing made from flax. Flaxseed oil, also called linseed oil, is used by artists in making oil paintings. In the culinary world it is used for breads. It is also ground up and added to a host of foods. I like to grind it up and add it to smoothies.

Flaxseed  has health benefits. Here are a few of them:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Stabilizing blood sugar
• Reducing bone lose
• Increasing immunity
• Fighting Cancer
• Weight loss

As far as nutrition is concerned, flax is loaded with nutrients. These include almost all of the B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, fiber  (both soluble and insoluble), omega 3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals. These include alpha-linoleic acid, the plant version of omega-3's.

Flax contains lots of fiber. This is very good for gut and bowel problems. It contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Even if you don't have bowel problems it can help regulate you and prevent constipation.

There are a few cautions when using flaxseed. People who have inflammatory bowel problems like Crohn's disease should not use flaxseeds because of their laxative effect. Pregnant and nursing moms should not use it. Women with fibroids, endometriosis and polycystic ovary disease should not use it. Men with increased risk of prostate cancer should also avoid using flaxseed. Always check with your health care provider before using more flax than what is used for culinary purposes.

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Valerie Lull

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