What are the benefits of linseed oil

Flax seeds are one of the magical dietary pills. In them contained a lot of protein and fiber, vitamin B5 and magnesium, they help reduce appetite and promote a healthy weight.

Flaxseed oil, which is obtained from crushed and pressed seeds, does not contain some important ingredients such as fiber or magnesium. But it’s also useful.

Its main advantage is its high content of omega-3 essential fatty acids, in particular, alpha-linolenic (ALA). healthy daily allowance counts 1,600 mg of alpha-linolenic acid for men and 1,100 mg for women.

One tablespoon of flaxseed oil contains approximately 7,200 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, which completely covers a person’s daily requirement for omega-3 fatty acids.

The healing effect of flaxseed oil has not been studied in as much detail as flaxseed. However, some research looks promising. Here are some advantages for the body, perhaps (this is the key point!), Carries oil.

1. Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol

In a small research volunteers consumed 10 g of linseed or corn oil once a day at dinner. The scientists measured their cholesterol levels before the start of the experiment and 12 weeks later. For those who drank corn oil, the amount of “bad” cholesterol, which can settle on the walls of blood vessels in the form of dangerous cholesterol plaques, did not change. But among those who used flaxseed, it significantly decreased.

2. Fights cancer

This result was shown researchcarried out on animals. Alpha-linolenic acids, which are part of flaxseed oil, inhibit the development of cancer cells. And even completely contribute to their death – in particular, with breast cancer.

Clinical trials in humans in the required volumes have not yet been conducted, but the prospects, according to scientists, look promising.

3. Improves skin condition

Again confirmed animal research. In mice suffering from atopic dermatitis, after three weeks of daily intake of linseed oil, unpleasant symptoms almost disappeared: itching, swelling, redness.

Trial with 13 women too showedthat the skin condition has improved: it has become smoother, moisturized, less sensitive to irritations.

4. Reduces the risk of developing diabetes

Here, too, the results are mixed, but promising. Scientists studiedhow flaxseed oil and seed affect blood sugar levels in pre-diabetic people. Those who consumed 13 grams of flaxseed daily for 12 weeks were found to have significantly lower blood sugar levels, meaning they were less likely to develop diabetes. But those who were given twice as much flax – 26 g every day, remained unchanged.

What this is connected with is not yet clear. Researchers continue to study the discovered pattern.

5. Fights inflammation in the body

Anti-inflammatory effect of flaxseed oil noticed in people suffering from obesity.

Animal studies also confirm this is the effect of linseed oil. This is an important property, because it is chronic inflammatory processes that are often responsible for the development of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. However, scientists acknowledge that additional and larger-scale study of this issue is required.

6. Supports Heart and Cardiovascular Health

This is achieved in different ways. For example, research discoveredthat it is enough to drink a tablespoon of flaxseed oil every day for 12 weeks to significantly reduce the pressure in hypertension.

Also linseed oil improves elasticity of blood vessels, and this is also especially important for hypertensive patients.

7. Helps with constipation and diarrhea

These disorders seem to be opposites, but flaxseed oil improves both. At least animals – mice and rabbits.

Who is flaxseed oil bad for?

Like the benefits, the potential harm from flaxseed oil is still not enough studied. It is believed to be safe for most adults, as long as you do not drink more than 30 grams per day.

However, there are situations when it is better to refuse linseed oil:

• Pregnancy. It may increase the risk of preterm labor if taken during the second or third trimester.
• Childhood. Doctors suggest that flaxseed oil is safe for children. But still it is better not to take it without consulting a pediatrician.
• Breast-feeding. There is almost no research on how flaxseed oil a mother drinks can affect her baby. Therefore, doctors recommend not to use oil.
• Blood clotting disorders. Flaxseed oil may increase the risk of severe bleeding.
• Upcoming surgeries. Due to the increased risk of bleeding, avoid oil at least two weeks before surgery.

How to take linseed oil

1 tablespoon per day is enough. You can drink the oil in its pure form or season salads.

Never use flaxseed oil for frying: unsaturated fatty acids break down under the influence of temperature and…