Flaxseed oil not only helps you lose weight, but also improves the appearance of your skin, hair and nails. Read how to choose an oil and how to use it to lose weight without strict diets and heavy physical activity!
Author: Kristina Lobanovskaya, doctor, practicing nutritionist Article updated: 07/14/2021
The amazing medicinal properties of flax were used in medical practice by doctors of Ancient Egypt to treat various diseases. In the days of Ancient Rus', people lovingly called it “Russian gold” and made healing decoctions, balms, and rubs from the seeds. Over time, cheaper oils (sunflower, corn) replaced flaxseed oil, but fortunately, modern cosmetology and nutrition give it a second life. Today, experts suggest actively using it in healthy nutrition and cleansing.
Flaxseed oil is an indispensable product for losing weight and renewing the body, treating and preventing various diseases. Regular use increases vitality, has a positive effect on the condition of the heart and blood vessels, and also reduces appetite and accelerates metabolism, which allows you to lose extra pounds forever. All this thanks to the unique composition developed by nature itself.
What benefits are contained in flax seeds?
The oil is obtained by pressing the seeds themselves. Flax contains a huge amount of useful substances: polyunsaturated fatty acids, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, etc. It is considered one of the unique products that is used not only for food purposes, but also as an auxiliary therapy.
One of the advantages of this product is that it can be used by patients with diabetes. This is due to the low content of carbohydrate compounds in flax products.
Let's look at the beneficial properties of flax seeds:
- They contain a complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9). Their volume is twice the content of the same components in fish oil. The body is not able to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids on its own, so they must come from external sources.
- The composition includes vitamin complex E and A, many microelements (potassium, phosphorus, etc.). Therefore, flax seed oil is used not only in dietary nutrition, but also to strengthen hair and prevent many diseases.
- By consuming flax seeds or flour made from them when losing weight, you can significantly reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body, and this is an excellent prevention of the formation of blood clots.
- In addition, the product helps stabilize hormone levels in the body (especially important during menopause).
- Due to the content of phenolic compounds, this product is used for cancer prevention.
- Bioactive peptide complexes help strengthen overall immunity.
Flax seeds are a storehouse of nutrients and microelements
Reviews from doctors and nutritionists
Sergey Petrovich, gastroenterologist, Vologda
Flaxseed oil is really healthy, it contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are so necessary for immunity, brain function and well-being. But I am for a reasonable approach to my health. Firstly, do not exceed the daily dose, which is 100 ml. Secondly, be sure to follow storage rules. This is a very capricious product. Interacting with air and sunlight, lipids (PUFAs) enter into an oxidation reaction, forming the so-called. peroxides, which cause great harm to the body. I would recommend using pharmaceutical capsules or seeds. In them, fats are in a more stable state.
Margarita, cardiologist
I often prescribe an “oil” course to my patients. Blood vessels are cleaned and strengthened, cholesterol drops, and blood pressure is equalized. For me the benefits are obvious.
Timur Harutyunovich, nutritionist, Moscow
I recommend this method to clients whose goal is to lose two to five kilograms. This is not an express diet and you shouldn’t expect quick results. But when losing weight, there is no sagging skin and stretch marks, as with a sharp weight loss. This method is good because due to the high content of linoleic and linolenic acids, the cleansing process is started. The intestines get rid of the accumulated “ballast” and the kilograms slowly but steadily go away.
Christina, nutritionist, St. Petersburg
I would not call this technique a “diet”. It's more of a nutritional regimen. Make it a rule to eat unrefined vegetable fats and good health, thick hair, smooth skin and strong nails are guaranteed.
Is it possible to lose weight with flaxseed oil?
Unfortunately, today every fifth woman faces the problem of obesity. This is a very unpleasant condition, which not only causes general discomfort, but also provokes the development of complexes. People suffering from this disease are wondering: does flaxseed oil help lose weight and how much?
Some sources note that following a proper diet using this product helps women lose weight. All this must be done in conjunction with visiting the gym and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (giving up bad habits, etc.). However, it should be noted that flaxseed oil only lowers cholesterol levels, therefore it is used for atherosclerosis and obesity to reduce its level in the blood.
Losing weight with flaxseed oil alone is impossible. The product is only a supplement to a proper diet. Banana diet.
Don’t think that by eating something sweet and washing it down with butter, you can be sure that you won’t gain extra pounds. The maximum effect when using flaxseed oil for weight loss can only appear if it is consumed while actively performing complexes of special physical exercises, which are also aimed at burning excess calories.
The product contains useful microelements and vitamins that help improve the body's metabolism and improve the digestion process. To date, there is no confirmed data on the effect of flaxseed oil on the process of losing weight.
How to take for weight loss?
So - how to drink flaxseed oil correctly for weight loss and whether its use will help.
To do this, there are strict rules that must be followed exactly. Otherwise, you should not count on a positive result. It is worth noting here that flax oil, used for weight loss, seems to help this process, as it has a laxative effect.
The product is recommended as a dietary supplement for those suffering from obesity because it lowers cholesterol levels. Ginger for weight loss.
How to drink correctly?
Today there is a lot of information on the Internet about how to drink flaxseed oil for weight loss. Using only this product in the diet, not a single person has yet managed to lose excess weight. Proponents of losing weight in this way identify several basic schemes for taking oil internally without the main meal. It can be consumed in its pure form or added to ready-made dishes (for example, cottage cheese or yogurt). The recommended daily intake is no more than 2 tablespoons. If this amount is exceeded, side effects may worsen, which include nausea, vomiting, problems with stool, etc.
You need to choose the right oil. It is better to purchase it from a pharmacy chain; it should be stored in dark glass bottles.
It is best to store the container in a cool and dark place.
It is not recommended to drink hot drinks within 60 minutes after drinking a dose of oil - this will reduce its beneficial properties and may cause undesirable consequences. In order to get the maximum effect from losing weight, you need to exclude fried, spicy and fatty foods from your diet. In this case, it will be easier for the body to digest the amount of food received.
So, how do you take this weight loss product? Proponents of this method recommend drinking a teaspoon of oil in the morning on an empty stomach (at least half an hour before meals) and before bed; Gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon at a time. It’s worth thinking about whether oil, as a fatty product, can help you shed extra pounds, except perhaps by having a laxative effect.
Flaxseed oil can be consumed in its pure form or added to salads
For people who suffer from frequent constipation, it is recommended to consume flax seeds with a large volume of warm (not hot!) liquid. A decoction of seeds or mucus from them gently envelops the intestinal walls, helps move feces and triggers peristalsis.
What time of day?
In order to lose weight, supporters of the method recommend consuming it 30 minutes before meals and before bed, which is associated with better absorption of all the beneficial components of this product. At night, the oil supposedly helps speed up metabolic processes in the body thanks to special enzymes. Is it possible to eat bananas at night?
How long?
To achieve the desired effect, supporters of the method recommend taking flax seed oil for weight loss for at least 2 months every day. The daily dose is increased gradually during the first week, starting with one tablespoon per day.
At the end of the dosage regimen (last 7 days), the dosage should be the same as in the first week (1 teaspoon in the morning and evening). This seems to be supposed to help the body readjust itself smoothly. A repeat course is carried out no earlier than after 2 months.
Reviews and results of losing weight
Those who have tried the wonderful properties of this natural healer only confirm its positive effect on weight loss and overall well-being.
Tatyana, 23 years old, Kazan
I drank flaxseed oil at night to lose weight. Before that, I was on Malysheva’s express diet and the American diet. With these diets, the weight went away quickly, but then it came back with big gains. I was skeptical about the rave reviews about the oil. Moreover, in the first week I lost only 1.5 kg. But I began to feel better, my hair shone, my nails became stronger. A month later I lost 4 kg. At least a little, but stable.
Oksana, 26 years old, Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan region
After the birth of my daughter, I gained 7 kg. Since I was breastfeeding, for a very long time I could not find a diet that would be suitable for breastfeeding. In a program about traditional medicine, I heard about flaxseed oil. I started looking for information, reviews from nutritionists. I consulted my lactation consultant. She allowed. It suited me perfectly. My skin has improved and my intestinal problems have finally disappeared. Weight is slowly decreasing.
Rusantsova Daria, 45 years old, Belorechensk, Krasnodar region
I have never been on a diet, I have no problems with being overweight. But with age, my vision began to decline, and general health problems began. A colleague advised me to drink flax oil. To be honest, I couldn’t drink it with spoons. Reminded me of the fish oil that was forced into me as a child. I bought flax capsules at the pharmacy and at the same time started adding it to salads (though mixing 1:1 with olive oil). After a week and a half, intestinal function improved; after a month, the skin on the face became more elastic and the eyes began to tire less. I will definitely repeat the course in the spring.
Alena, 30 years old, Moscow
After the protein diet, I could not improve my bowel function. The constant discomfort and heaviness in my stomach was terribly annoying. I decided to try this vaunted product. But, not believing in success, I slightly overdid the dosage. It’s good that the experiment coincided with a day off. After that, I reduced the dose to the recommended one and started taking it regularly. I recommend.
Can there be any harm from using it?
Despite all its beneficial properties, it still has some contraindications:
- the presence of stones in the gall bladder;
- pathology of the pancreas;
- high blood pressure (ginger for hypertension);
- cholecystitis;
- blood clotting disorder;
- malignant formations.
Along with its beneficial qualities, this product, if used incorrectly, can cause serious harm to the human body. This is due to antinutrients (cyanogenic glycosides), which tend to be divided into three fractions: linostatite, neolinostatin and linmarin.
When cyanogen glycosides enter the intestines, hydrogen cyanide is released, which in turn promotes the formation of thiocyanates. The latter disrupt the absorption of iodine by the thyroid gland. This causes a severe deficiency of this element in the human body and other serious pathologies.
Proponents of this method recommend using flaxseed oil for weight loss only after prior consultation with a doctor.
The benefits and harms of flax oil.
Flax oil has a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, which makes it dry quickly. Depending on the types of processing, the product can be either beneficial or harmful to our body. To lose weight, you should use unrefined flaxseed oil. It is settled and filtered or centrifuged; this method is called “cold pressing”, since the heating reaches a maximum of 20 degrees. Thanks to this processing, all useful substances are preserved, but unfortunately, the oil quickly deteriorates, leaving sediment. You can also use hydrated flaxseed oil; it retains its beneficial properties, and its shelf life is increased due to treatment with water.
Review Reviews
Reviews from specialists and patients who have used flaxseed oil for weight loss are positive. This is observed only if you follow a proper diet and visit the gym.
Flax oil itself does not lead to weight loss. The product only helps improve metabolism in the body and improves intestinal function. Women also note an improvement in the condition of their hair and nails when using this product. Benefits of aloe vera for facial skin and hair.
Today on the Internet you can find a lot of information about how to lose weight with flaxseed oil. Those who used it and did not adhere to any other conditions for losing weight did not lose excess weight. And due to the high calorie content of the product, in some cases, on the contrary, a slight increase in body weight was recorded on the scales.
To improve the effect of flax seeds, supporters of this method of nutrition recommend using the oil together with fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, etc.) or adding it as a dressing to vegetable and fruit salads.
How to choose and store correctly
Flaxseed oil is unique and expensive. By chasing cheapness, you risk buying a surrogate extraction product that will do more harm than good. Therefore, no matter where you buy oil: at the market, in a supermarket or pharmacy, it is important to adhere to the following rules when choosing.
- Pay attention to the degree of cleaning. The oil must be unrefined, low-component (without corn or sunflower impurities), cold pressed.
- It is worth choosing a product packaged in small, dark containers. Natural oils do not like sunlight, quickly oxidize and begin to taste bitter. It is better if the bottle is glass, since plastic is not always suitable for storing fats.
- Always pay attention to the production date and expiration date. The fresher the oil, the better the taste, the higher the benefits. Once opened, it must be used within three months.
- Fresh oil should be golden in color, without bitterness or specific taste. Due to the high content of PUFAs, a slight “fishy” odor is acceptable.
It is forbidden to take flax oil internally after the expiration date!
Temperature changes and exposure to sunlight lead to oxidation and breakdown of omega acids. Therefore, after purchasing, store the bottle in a cool, dark place at a temperature of 5-10 degrees (the side door of the refrigerator or a dark cabinet away from heating appliances and other heat sources).
Under no circumstances should the oil be frozen or heated. This leads to the appearance of dangerous carcinogenic compounds in it.
