The Real Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

This hub will discuss the tangible benefits of taking flaxseed oil as a supplement to your everyday diet. Over the years I have heard so much nonsense talked about this, I thought you might like to hear from an actual user of the product. They way many people describe ths product you would be convinced that you may as well take garlic or cod liver oil as they are also supposed to be a cure or remedy for everything.

I once read somewhere that nettles is the greatest natural drug available and much as I would like that to be true because nettles are widely available and free, the reality is that they make an awful soup and their only saving grace is they they do contain some useful natural healing elements. However that does not make them the greatest medical cure in the world and at the end of the day, most of them sting.

Similarly when I started reading up about the benefits of flaxseed oil it started to become a similar story. It seemed that the oil extracted by brushing these seeds appeared to cure just about any ailment you can imagine. I have no idea why people make such outrageous claims so I did my own research rather then just dismiss the entire idea altogether.

If I am going to consider anything I do like to understand what it is and where it comes from. In simple terms these very small seeds come from the flax plant and when they are completely crushed an oil can be drained off and used. When you dip your finger into this oil it has a distinct nutty taste and flavour to it.

Coming from Ireland myself I have known over the years that we make a lot of Irish linen and that flax plant was used to do this. There are still many old flax mills in Ireland and for many years especially around Belfast this provided a lot of work for women in these mills. The flax plant is an annual plant with pale blue flowers and can grow up to four feet tall. The leaves are green and slender. This plant actually has quite a few uses depending on which part of the plant is used and linseed oil is probably the best known.

The seeds will either be a golden yellow or a brown colour and the key to their medicinal properties is that they do contain Omega 3 fatty acids. They also contain lignans and other dietary fibre.

Omega 3 is found in abundance in fish and there is copious research available stating the benefits of having a good balance of omega-3 in our bodies. For those who are not big fish eaters or who don't eat fish twice a week, it is certainly worthwhile considering topping up with a supplement and flaxseed oil is certainly one method for doing just that. These seeds can be bought in many health stores, drug stores and pharmacies and come in capsule and liquid form. You can also buy them easily on line. My one word of caution here is that in liquid form it does have a very short shelf life so make sure you don't buy too large an amount at any one time.

Also keep it out of the light and in the fridge if possible as that will prolong its short lifespan. Over many years I have researched some strange stuff and one field I do like to dabble in is which nations lives the longest. In all cases (Third world excluded) it is the Mediterranean countries that do that, and I would suggest that is primarily down to their diet.

A diet of pasta, salad, fish and fruit is certainly 100 times better than an Irish diet of potatoes meat and vegetables. Both of those are certainly better that a diet of fast food and other products that are full of fat and simply create a culture of obesity. That may sound a little harsh but as I watch the young people in my own country develop ever increasing waist lines it would be naive to look past what is causing that.

I am a fish eater but not a regular one. Sadly due to the state of our waters and seas, the many European Medical Councils recommend no more than two portions of fish per week as there so many contaminating elements to consider. Personally I only ever eat fish about once a month and I do take flaxseed oil as a supplement. It certainly contributes to my overall health but does it cure anything?

That is very difficult to prove and everything I have researched and delved into does show clear evidence that it improves overall health and well-being and this makes it good enough for me.

You can read more about Flaxseed oil benefits here.