| By :
Ben Mester
Though a lot of different oils have been hitting the shelves in recent years, the health benefits of flaxseed oil have been known about for many years. Flaxseed, also called linseed, has actually been cultivated by man for a few thousand years. Because it's native to the Mediterranean region of the world, it has a rich tradition in Mediterranean cooking. Flaxseed oil is very rich in Omega 3 fatty acid content, similar to fish oils which also boast high contents of the essential fatty acids. But flaxseed oil is one of the few plant sources that's high in Omega 3s. Flaxseed also contains a healthy amount of fiber and is consumed as a dietary supplement for that reason also. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil can be taken in multiple ways. Some prefer to take flax oil in seed form, others prefer it ground into a powder, whereas still others take it after it has already been processed down to the oil. To retain maximum benefits of the flax seed however, it's recommended that you either eat the entire seed or use it in ground powder form, instead of simply taking the oil. 1. Lowers Cholesterol. In an age where the majority of Americans over 50 have prescriptions for cholesterol controlling drugs like Lipitor, don't you think it's wise to at least explore controlling cholesterol in a natural way? Clinical studies have demonstrated that flaxseed oil helps the body to regulate levels of LDL cholesterol. That is the unhealthy type by the way. Before running to prescriptions, try boosting your fiber intake, and sprinkle some flax seeds over a salad or on top of some steamed vegetables. They're about the same size as poppy seeds and they have very little flavor. 2. Reduces Blood Pressure. Because of its levels of Omega 3 fatty acid and other factors, flaxseed oil is very good for the heart. In fact, because flaxseed is native to the Mediterranean area and has been used there for thousands of years, some researches speculate that the flax seed is one of the main components to why the Mediterranean diet is so heart healthy. 3. Reduces Inflammation. Recent studies have begun to show that flaxseed oil helps to reduce inflammation, and eases pain in the joints. These studies haven't been substantiated though, and the results are preliminary. 4. Fights Cancer. Flaxseed has a grouping of compounds that's known as lignans, which studies have shown to help fight cancer. Flaxseed oil though doesn't have that same grouping of compounds. That's why it was stated in the first paragraph that in order to obtain the full health benefits of flaxseed oil and flaxseed, it would need to be taken either as whole seeds, or ground up into powder. For best results, you should try taking flax seed in powder form. Powders are generally much easier to work with than seeds, and flaxseed powder, because it's virtually tasteless, can be added into many things. If you love fruit smoothies, you can mix in a small amount of flaxseed powder for that extra health benefit. Flaxseed powder that's been ground up can be used in baking. You can also sprinkle some powder in with cheese sauces or cream sauces. A little bit of flaxseed goes a long way.
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