Flaxseeds are one of the most important sources of Omega-3. It is enough to add a handful of seeds to your diet to forget about taking fatty acids in a blister pack or in the form of hated fish oil. The same handful of flaxseeds will improve the condition of your skin, help you grow shiny curls and save on nail extensions.
Seeds can be used not only as an additional ingredient to a dish. Flax can be ground into flour and used to make pasta, smoothies and healthy desserts. The practice of grinding any healthy food into flour is gaining momentum. Keep up with fashion trends in the world of healthy eating and take the blender off the shelf once again.
Adding flax (in any form) significantly increases the nutritional value of the entire dish. It is recommended to introduce flax before 16:00 so that the body receives maximum benefit from the product, and your waist remains as slim.
Dolgunets and curly: similar in appearance, but different benefits
It may come as a revelation to many that the seeds of this plant, which are sold everywhere today, are very different from each other. And this is important to know in order to be able to choose a truly useful product. The fact is that in our country two subspecies of flax are traditionally cultivated: long-lasting and curly .
While the former is used for tissue production, the latter is grown for its nutritious seeds. Actually, their name reflects this feature. Dolgunets have a long stem, and this is the source of fibers needed by the textile industry. At the same time, its inflorescence is poorly developed. On the contrary, curly flax is rather short, but has a lush inflorescence that produces several capsules with seeds.
The chemical composition of these plants is also significantly different. Although the seeds of the curly tree are somewhat smaller than those of the longhorn, they are more saturated with oil. It’s not for nothing that this subspecies has a second name – oil flax . The content of very healthy oil in such a product reaches 49%, while in the seeds of the long-lasting plant it is no more than 40%. And in terms of the content of Omega-3 fatty acids, curly also surpassed its brother.
Today, the market contains mostly fiber seeds. For many companies this is not the main, but an additional product. As we remember, such flax is grown for its fabrics. That’s why the price is often significantly lowered – the main thing is to sell the product. For the same reason, manufacturers do not indicate the name of the variety on the packaging.
grows the curly flax variety “VNIIMK 620” so that the consumer has the opportunity to obtain a truly valuable and healthy product.
Detoxification and holistic wellness
Flaxseed oil has become famous as a means of “burning” excess weight.
It is not for nothing that flaxseed oil has become famous as a means of “burning” excess weight. It’s easy to guess why, because the active substances contained in the product accelerate the process of removing harmful waste from the body and toxins accumulated in it.
Saturating the body with beneficial amino acids and minerals, without stress to the digestive and nervous systems, and without harm to well-being, flaxseed oil will begin to rid you of all harmful accumulations from the first day of use.
Flaxseed: chemical composition
Of course, the powerful healing power of this plant is largely due to the chemical composition of flaxseed. In terms of the amount of nutrients, there is little that can compare with this plant. Perhaps these seeds are of greatest interest to humans due to their high content of Omega-3 acids. But they also contain a lot of other useful substances. So, 100 grams of seeds contain: protein (18.29 g), fats (42.16 g), carbohydrates (28.9 g). Flax seeds also include: phytosterols, fatty acids, glycosides, mucus, starch, dietary fiber.
This product contains micro- and macroelements: potassium (813 mg), calcium (255 mg), phosphorus (642 mg), sodium (30 mg), magnesium (392 mg). It also contains the following vitamins: A, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, K, PP. It is important that flax protein contains many essential amino acids: threonine, lysine , leucine, isoleucine, valine. Flax is rich in complex carbohydrates - fiber , which is beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract.
It should be especially noted that these wonderful seeds contain three types of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In terms of their content, this product is superior not only to plants, but also to such healthy fish as salmon. The following were found in flax seed: Omega-3 (58.6%), Omega-6 (14.2%). The product also contains a small amount of Omega-9. By the way, the first two substances are considered essential for humans, since they cannot be produced in the body. That's why it's so important to get them regularly with food. You may be surprised that the content of such a nutrient as Omega-3 flax seed is 3 times higher than the popular nutritional supplement - fish oil.
In addition, the shell of these inconspicuous seeds also contains phenolic compounds - lignans , which have strong antioxidant properties. Scientists have found that flax is the leader among plants in terms of their content. Flax seeds contain approximately 800 mg/g of substances. Let us add that this product contains a special type of these compounds – SDG lignans (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside). At the same time, for some reason the unique component is not preserved in the plant oil.
It is worth mentioning the chemical composition of flaxseed oil: triglycerides, linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids. Moreover, the amount of nutrients depends on the variety, climate and soil on which the raw materials were grown.
Use in cooking
The seeds are used as an additive to vegetable salads, meat or fish dishes, desserts and smoothies. In cooking, derivatives made from flaxseeds are no less revered. From them, vegetable oil is obtained (mainly by cold pressing) and flaxseed flour.
Flaxseed oil
This product is enriched with unsaturated acids, the concentration of which is twice that of fish oil [7]. Nutritionists recommend dressing salads with this oil or drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach (only in case of direct need for the body). Culinary experts love flaxseed oil for its delicate aroma, which combines subtle nutty notes mixed with natural plant aromas. Unfortunately, you cannot fry with flaxseed oil, since when decomposed, unsaturated fatty acids form carcinogenic compounds. It also begins to smoke, burn and makes the dish unfit for consumption.
Flaxseed flour
Flax is a virtually waste-free product. Flour is obtained from seeds immediately after pressing the oil. The taste of flour is practically no different from traditional wheat or oatmeal, but the functional range is radically different. Flaxseed flour can absorb large amounts of moisture. If you are used to adding 1-2 tablespoons of water and oil to wheat flour, then for flaxseed flour this amount will have to be doubled. Experienced cooks focus on the consistency of the dough and vary the ingredients according to how they feel. If you are not sure of your own sense of proportion, then strictly follow the stated recipe.
Another important property of flour is its long shelf life. Flaxseed flour increases the shelf life of baked goods, so manufacturers often include it in the composition so that the product can last longer at the point of sale without compromising taste, quality and appearance.
Flax is a promising drug for cancer prevention
Lignans have recently attracted the attention of the US National Cancer Institute, which has conducted major studies on flax. It turned out that these grains are an excellent remedy for cancer prevention. Why? Scientists have found that in addition to antioxidant properties, flax lignans have a number of qualities: antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and immunomodulatory. Based on dozens of experiments, American biochemists came to the conclusion that SDG lignans are even superior to vitamin E antioxidant properties.
In addition, they found that these substances are phytoestrogens , that is, their action resembles the female sex hormone estrogen. Thanks to this, American researchers recommended this product as a means of cancer prevention.
Australian scientists continued US developments in this area. QueenElizabethIIMedicalCentre staff have found that regular consumption of flax seed reduces the risk of breast cancer in women. The fact is that SDG lignans, when entering the body, act as an estrogen substitute. It has been established that cancer in women is often caused by a lack of this hormone.
Application in cosmetology
For facial skin
Flaxseed oil is a real salvation from age-related signs on the skin. It is best suited for flabby, dry and aging skin. How to use oil for facial care?
- Prepare a homemade mask. Decide on your skin type and basic needs (moisturize, nourish, improve tone, remove wrinkles, minimize oily shine) and select additional components for the mask that will cope with your individual problem. Prepare, grind and mix all products, apply to skin for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
- Enrich your basic care with linseed oil. Add a few drops of oil to each jar of serum and day/night cream. After a few days, the result will become noticeable to the naked eye: the skin will glow and look healthy.
- Take flax seeds internally to cleanse yourself from the inside. It is known that facial skin is an indicator of our internal health. Cleansing the body will certainly affect your face, your activity and well-being.
Before enriching cosmetics or making masks from flax, take an allergy test.
Apply a small amount of oil to a spot behind the ear or on the neck and monitor the reaction for 24 hours. If the skin becomes red, itchy or irritated, give up homemade cosmetics and pay attention to professional treatment lines. If your skin reacts normally to the product, perform a series of home spa treatments without fear for your health.
For hair and nails
Flaxseed oil perfectly moisturizes hair and nail cuticles. Apply it to the ends of your hair, without touching the root zone, to saturate your curls, get rid of split ends and add healthy shine to your hair. Why can't you apply oil to your roots? The scalp is very sensitive. Under the influence of oil, the pores can simply become clogged and disrupt the development of the hair follicle. As a result, we get impaired hair growth, sudden hair loss and deterioration in the condition of the curls. Limit yourself to the ends, and for the scalp (if necessary) select specialized moisturizing masks.
Use the oil as a cuticle care product. Periodically lubricate the entire nail and carefully circle the cuticle area. It will thin out, become less noticeable and dense. Why use cuticle oil? To increase the wearability of a manicure, thin the cuticle, make it more delicate and give the nail plate a well-groomed appearance.
Natural medicine: flaxseed in folk medicine
Due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, this product can rightfully be called a natural medicine. In folk medicine, flaxseed has been successfully used for centuries. For the most part, the seeds themselves, oil, decoctions and infusions are used for treatment.
An important property of seeds is that when they are brewed, mucus is released, which acts as an enveloping, anti-inflammatory agent . Therefore, this product has long been used to stimulate the function of the gastrointestinal tract, especially for the treatment of gastritis . It perfectly helps with constipation, since the beneficial substances of the seeds have a mild laxative effect. An important component of these wonderful seeds is fiber, which they also contain a lot.
Natural medicine also helps with diseases of the genitourinary system. It is also recommended to use this natural product during the postoperative period for faster recovery. It also works well for multiple sclerosis, severe stress, and allergies. In addition, flax seeds help improve vision.
There is a simple and effective traditional medicine recipe against constipation: grind 2 teaspoons of flaxseed, and then pour a glass of boiling water. After this, you need to let the medicine brew for 30 minutes. The resulting infusion should be consumed without straining.
The famous healer Valentina Petrenko in her book “On Herbs and Herbal Medicine” writes that this natural medicine dissolves oxides deposited in the bones. She recommends using a decoction of the seeds for hardened bones, as well as pneumonia.
Reception mode
Flaxseed oil is great for constipation.
Therapeutic procedures using flaxseed oil begin in the morning. Before meals, take a teaspoon of oil and wait 10-15 minutes before eating breakfast.
In the evening, the best way to consume it is to take a teaspoon a few hours after dinner.
This process can be continued for up to two weeks, and then replace the teaspoon with a tablespoon, increasing the intake. After two months have passed since the start of taking the oil, we take a two to three week break, and if there are positive changes in the body, we continue to use it.
The main healing properties of flaxseed
Modern science confirms the opinion of representatives of traditional medicine. It has been established that the healing properties of flaxseed can help in the treatment of many diseases:
- atherosclerosis;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- arrhythmias;
- thrombosis;
- hypertension;
- sinusitis;
- gastritis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- bronchitis;
- cystitis;
- oncological diseases.
Flax seed is also used to treat boils, wounds, burns, radiation injuries, and inflammation. Oil and seeds help with chronic cough as an expectorant. In addition, the product stimulates the functioning of the kidneys and thyroid gland.
Flaxseeds are recommended to increase the production of female sex hormones. Eating them regularly will help stop such a dangerous disease as diabetes. It has been established that flax enhances the effect of insulin and improves metabolism.
This is also an excellent product for those who want to lose weight, since these seeds have the ability to reduce appetite. The mucus released during brewing has absorbent properties and effectively removes waste and toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Flax seeds have antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, this natural product is useful for everyone who dreams of healthy and beautiful skin.
How to eat flaxseed? Ground flax seeds and honey
It's time to talk about how to eat flaxseed. This product can be added to salads and any other dishes as a dietary supplement . A number of manufacturers produce porridge and urbechi, but in this case the seeds undergo heat treatment, which destroys a significant part of the beneficial substances. It is preferable to use grains raw. Believe me, it is not at all difficult to prepare this product by grinding the seeds in a coffee grinder. You can add a little water to the resulting mixture.
There is a simple recipe for an excellent vegetarian dish that will be useful to all supporters of “humane nutrition” . We will need ground flax seeds and honey. To do this, you need to mix these components in a 1:1 ratio. This is an excellent remedy for recovery from illness and boosting immunity.
Doctors' opinions
Experts endorse the use of flax seeds for weight loss.
Doctors note many beneficial properties of this product, but recommend following several important rules when losing weight with its help.
Particular attention should be paid not only to the seed intake scheme, but also to the process of their storage. If they are consumed excessively, negative consequences may occur.
Based on the opinions of doctors, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- if you store flax seeds in the sun or near heat sources, they will lose most of their beneficial properties;
- the rate of weight loss when consuming flax seeds directly depends on the individual characteristics of the body;
- before starting a weight loss course, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination to find out the reason for gaining excess weight;
- to prevent the negative impact of the weight loss process on the intestines, it is recommended to combine a weight loss course with taking Enterosgel;
- You should not prepare decoctions, infusions and jellies from flaxseeds for future use (it is better to always drink freshly prepared drinks);
- to increase the effectiveness of weight loss with flax seeds, it is recommended to adjust your diet and eliminate a sedentary lifestyle;
- Flaxseed should be taken in its pure form for ten days, after which a break of similar duration must be taken;
- When consuming flax seeds and products based on them, it is important to maintain a drinking regime.
Flax seeds in sports
Speaking about the use of flax seeds in sports, it must be said that their beneficial properties are primarily due to the high content of fatty acids. It is the presence of Omega-3 in flax seeds that makes this product in demand both among adherents of strength sports and athletics. So, let's name the main properties of flaxseed that help with intense training :
- acceleration of metabolism;
- improving blood quality, thereby reducing the likelihood of blood clots;
- increasing the effectiveness of insulin, which leads to uniform absorption of carbohydrates;
- helps get rid of fat mass;
- strengthening the immune system;
- antioxidant effect;
- reduction of pain;
- reduction of inflammation of muscle tissue;
- reduction of recovery time after training;
- improvement of skin condition.
In addition, the Omega-3s contained in flax seeds are believed to stimulate the production of testosterone, a hormone that accelerates muscle growth. The importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids lies in the fact that they are part of the cell membrane, including nerve cells. Therefore, Omega-3 deficiency impairs the connection between the brain and muscles , which is so important for athletes.
In order for results to increase and recovery after training to occur faster, athletes are recommended to use flax seeds produced by. It should be noted that the company cultivates the highly effective flax variety VNIIMK, which has the highest content of Omega-3 (58.6%) and Omega-6 (14.2%) acids. It is important that there are few Omega-9 fatty acids, which are less healthy, in the seeds of this variety. It can be added that these products are grown in an ecologically clean area far from big cities.
In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids are included in drone brood, royal jelly and bee pollen, which are contained in optimal proportions in natural vitamins “Leveton Forte”, “Elton Forte” and complexes “Eromax”, “Osteomed”, which in addition to their direct purpose, depending on depending on the ratio of active ingredients in the composition, they are an excellent source of vitamins, amino acids and minerals, and contain a supply of useful substances that are so important for athletes.
Main Product Features
Often people are distrustful of the benefits of oils for weight loss, and associate them with something necessarily fatty and harmful. This is a very big misconception.
Although there is no guarantee that the body will instantly respond to taking flaxseed oil, this product is a storehouse of minerals, vitamins and amino acids.
Proof of this can be numerous studies by scientists who have confirmed that consuming flaxseed oil is a direct path to rejuvenation of the body.
Vitamins of group “A” contained in flax seeds are the best companions of female beauty, making hair, eyebrows and eyelashes velvety, nails strong, and improving skin tone. Vitamin “F” will transform and give elasticity to your skin, improve the regeneration of its cells.
A few tablespoons of flaxseed oil can satisfy an adult’s daily requirement of vitamins “E” and “B”. Potassium, which flax is so rich in, will improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, increase brain activity and prevent the occurrence of edema.
Flaxseed: side effects and contraindications. Daily dose of product
It must be said that no side effects of flaxseed have been identified. However, doctors do not recommend using it during pregnancy, since the effect of the product on this category of people has not yet been studied. Flax seeds are a strong choleretic agent, so it is better not to use it if the patient has stones in the urinary or gall bladder, or inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines. Flaxseed is also contraindicated for people suffering from pancreatitis, colitis, and cholecystitis.
Flax seed is not recommended for infants; it can be introduced into food starting from 3 years of age. It is believed that the daily intake of the product is 25-30 grams (for adults 2 tablespoons, for children 1 tablespoon), but you should not take more than 50 grams. The fact is that these seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can be converted into toxic compounds.
We looked at the beneficial properties of an excellent natural product - flaxseed. Over many millennia, he has gained the love of the common people. These wonderful seeds contain many nutrients and can help treat a number of diseases, but it is better to consult a specialist before using them.
Risks of consuming flaxseed oil
During pregnancy and lactation, it is recommended to consult with your doctor about the use of flaxseed oil.
If you suffer from hepatitis, gallbladder diseases and pancreatitis, then you should stop taking flaxseed oil until you consult a specialist.
Flax oil is incompatible with taking hormonal medications and antibiotics. Prohibited for children of preschool age.
During pregnancy and lactation, use is not strictly prohibited, but it is recommended to consult with your doctor.
Flax oil is very useful and can significantly improve the well-being and appearance of the person taking it. But do not forget that any useful product in excess can be harmful.
