Flax Seed Oil:
In this day and age of fat phobia and the resultant barrage of low fat
and non-fat food products lining the grocery store aisles, a
recommendation to supplement your daily diet with one to two tablespoons
of essential fatty acid rich flax or borage seed oil would appear to go
against what you are being told. To the contrary, this is exactly what
health conscious consumers are doing across the country, not only to
attain and maintain health. THe fatty acids have been scientifically
validated to not only benefit optimal health, but in many instances,
serve as a treatment for the over 60 health ailments.
It is true Americans should not consume more than 20-30% of daily
calories as fats, a lack of the dietary essential fatty acids has been
suggested to facilitate degenerative disease. Surveys indicate that at
least 80% of our population is deficient in the essential fatty acids,
this may present a serious health threat. Unfortunately, mass
commercial refinement of fats and oils products and foods containing
them has effectively eliminated the essential fatty acids from our food
chain, contributing to our modern day deficiency.
Flax seed oil is considered by many to be the answer to this health
dilemma. Oil extracted from flax seed is unique because it contains both
essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic, an omega-3 fatty acid, and
linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, in appreciable amounts. Flax seed
oil is the world's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids at a whopping
57% (over two times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids as fish oils).
Omega-3 fatty acids have been extensively studied for their
beneficial effects toward:
o Arthritis
o Cancer
o High cholesterol levels
o Heart pain - Angina
o High blood pressure
o Multiple sclerosis
o Psoriasis & Eczema
o Stroke & heart attack
The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in flax seed oil is but one of
its positive attributes. The essential fatty acids combined here have
proven to impart a regulatory function on the body's fatty acid
metabolism. Fat metabolism is as important, if not more critical, than
our body's metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates as evidenced by the
drastic rise in fat related degenerative diseases, such as vascular
disease and strokes.
Dietary essential fatty acids common to flax seed oil are ultimately
converted to hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins, and are
important for the regulation of a host of bodily functions including:
o inflammation, pain, and swelling
o pressure in the eye, joints or blood vessels
o secretions from mucus membranes and their viscosity
o smooth muscle & autonomic reflexes, gastrointestinal, arterial, ear,
heart
o water retention
o blood clotting ability
o allergic response
o rheumatoid arthritis
o nerve transmission
o steroid production & hormone synthesis
Scientists continue to discover regulating effects of prostaglandins.
Without the essential fatty acids, the building blocks of
prostaglandins, a malfunction of fat metabolism is certain, as are
problems in the regulation of the above listed bodily functions.
For some individuals, flax seed oil may offer only half of the solution.
Those deficient in co-factor nutrients, specifically the vitamins pro-A,
A, C, E, B2, B6, pantothenic acid, B12, biotin, and the minerals
calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and zinc, sometimes have
difficulty in converting the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, found in
flax and other seed oils to the healthful prostaglandins. See NutraPack
product that offers all of these if you need a great multi-vitamin.
Still others are thought to lack the necessary enzyme (catalyst) to make
this conversion; particularly those afflicted with diabetes, asthma,
cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism and the aged. For those
suffering from co-factor deficiencies, a broad spectrum multi-vitamin
and mineral may be recommended with, perhaps, an oil supplement rich in
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Individuals who may lack the proper enzyme
system would require a GLA supplement in addition to the flax seed oil
to effectively skip over the absent or impaired enzyme and continue on
toward normal production of beneficial prostaglandins.
Nature's most potent concentration of GLA comes in the form of borage
seed oil (24%). A great deal of scientific research has been conducted
with supplements rich in GLA, resulting in significant interest
regarding the aforementioned health ailments, as well as those affected
by pre-menstrual syndrome, benign breast disease, eczema, psoriasis,
obesity, and vascular disorders.
When considering an essential fatty acid supplement and deciding on
either flax or borage seed oils, the most sensible solution may be a
formulation of the two.
The combination of both flax and borage seed oil yields a true
Omega-Twin by providing nature's best of the omega-3 fatty acids in flax
with the best of omega-6 fatty acids in GLA rich borage oil. This option
has now been made available by a flax & borage oil product called
Advanced Omega by Symmetry.
Supplementation with flax seed & borage seed oils makes good sense for
the following reasons:
1. Omega-3 fatty acids and GLA together on the production of beneficial
prostaglandins.
2. Over 60 health problems have proven to benefit from both flax seed
and borage seed supplements.
3. Flax seed oil combined with borage seed oil work together for even
better results.
4. Flax seed and borage seed oils combined is less expensive than
purchasing them separately.
Conclusion :
The answer appears not to be no fat, but the right fat, as common to
flax and borage seed oils, to achieve optimal health.
Past and present scientific research supports the use of essential fatty
acid nutrients in promoting optimal health. Flax seed oil is recognized
as nature's richest source of essential and omega-3 fatty acids. Borage
seed oil is recognized as nature's richest source of GLA. These natural
plant substances used alone have created a great deal of interest in the
treatment of numerous health problems.
Evidence exists to suggest the combination of omega-3 fatty acids with
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) may further complement the therapeutic result
of either fatty acid used singularly.
Other Flax Seed Information:
Flax, an ancient but little known seed, has recently gained worldwide
recognition for its many nutritional attributes. Seven years ago,
researchers from The University of Toronto began to study the potential
benefits of flax. Their results showed that flax seed could lower serum
cholesterol and also prevent the growth of new cancer cells. The
prediction is: flax will likely be found in many new foods in the near
future. In Dr. Andrew Weil's new book "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health"
flax seeds are the first things that he suggests that anyone interested
in eating healthier do. He recommends whole flax seeds ground into
cereal or sprinkled on foods, but they are also available in capsule
form or in flax seed oil. The FDA presented their findings at a recent
convention on Experimental Biology and related the following findings:
Levels of 1.25 and 2.5% flax in the diet stimulated the immune system.
flax increased vitamin D levels and increased the retention of calcium,
magnesium and phosphate. flax is very high in lignans which have
anti-tumor properties and may be linked to a low incidence of breast
cancer and colon cancer. Moderately high levels of flax, compared to
the same level of oat bran was better in lowering triglycerides, total
cholesterol and LDL, and favorable effects on insulin activity. flax
seeds are very reasonable priced and seem to be a valuable addition to
the daily diet.
Note: Every reasonable care is taken over the information offered here, however no responsibility or liability whatsoever will be taken for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any information, treatment, or application of any recipes or tips presented herein