10 Flaxseed Facts to Improve Your Nutrition

Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in any health food store, but there is nothing little about their enormous contribution to our overall health. Discovered in 5,000 BC, these little brown seeds were worshiped for their magical properties, such as healing the intestines, skin conditions, improving energy, and overall health.

Here are ten great reasons to eat flaxseeds every day:

1) Packed with minerals
Minerals not only build your bones, but give you energy. Flaxseeds contain 7 times more potassium than a banana and more calcium than a cup of skim milk! Consuming about a ½ cup of flaxseeds per day will provide you with 831mg of Potassium, 236mg of Calcium, 431mg of Magnesium, and 112mcg of folic acid.

2) Help prevent cancer
Flaxseeds are rich in lignans, which have been researched and documented to have anti-cancer properties, especially in hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, prostate, and endometrium. Lignans help excrete dangerous estrogens, which cause breast cancer, and they also help prevent estrogen-caused tumor growth. In addition, lignans prevent testosterone binding, which in turn helps prevent prostate cancer. The active ingredient in lignans, SDG, inhibits new tumor growth and development as well as the growth of established tumors. A ½ cup of flaxseeds contains 53 mg of lignans, way more than fruits and veggies which contain about 0.001 mg.

3) Improve immune system strength
From HIV to the common cold, Omega 3s and lignans within flaxseeds help strengthen the immune cells. Research shows that this type of immune modulation has been helpful for auto-immune conditions such as Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis.

4) Enhance brain development in infants
The omega 3s in flaxseeds have been shown to significantly improve brain and retina development in unborn infants and the infants of lactating mothers. This research recently allowed for the makers of infant formula to include this essential fat.

5) Loaded with healthy Omega 3 fat
Aside from fatty fish, flaxseeds are one of the only foods containing large amounts of the incredibly beneficial Omega 3 fat, which nourishes your brain and gives your skin and hair a healthy glow. A 1/2 cup of grounded seeds will give you up to 50 grams of Omega 3, which is a good daily dose.

6) Help you burn body fat
Our cells are loaded with unhealthy fats from fries and junk food, which slow down our metabolism and contribute to obesity. Adding in healthy Omega 3 fats and fiber gets your metabolism burning at a higher rate. In addition, flaxseeds are high in fiber and protein which help you feel fuller faster.

7) Eliminate constipation
Since flaxseeds are 30% fiber and 40% healthy fat, a ½ cup of seeds daily provides 27 grams of fiber and 50 grams Omega 3s which work together to heal the intestines and provide constipation relief. This amount of fiber also meets the US National Cancer Institute recommendations for daily intake.

8) Improve hypoglycemia and diabetes
The fiber and protein in the seeds help keep blood sugar more stable throughout the day, because fiber slows the release of insulin.

9) Decrease risk of heart disease, coronary artery disease, and strokes
Flaxseeds are documented to decrease tryglicerides, increase good HDL, and decrease platelet reactivity, all of which are critical for keeping your heart and arteries healthy.

10) Decrease inflammation
Inflammation causes migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, lupus, MS, psoriasis, and allergies. The omega 3s in flaxseeds inhibit inflammation by lowering inflammatory cytokines.

Incorporate flaxseeds in your diet today! You can find flax recipes and more info at http://www.RockwellNutrition.com.

Two excellent flax products are: FiPro Ground Flax Seeds by Oakmont Labs: http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/prod uct.asp?itemid=782
Pure Organic Flaxseed Oil by Pharmax: http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/produ ct.asp?itemid=44

Since June 2000, Annika Rockwell has owned and operated Rockwell Nutrition, Inc., offering top of the line, professional brand nutritional supplements, as well as private consultations to individuals requiring customized eating and supplement plans for their health concerns and goals. She has become skilled at using diagnostic tests including diet analysis, food allergy testing, blood tests, and hair analysis to help asses the best treatment options for women's health and conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, low energy, and gastrointestinal ailments. Annika's specialty is her customized health programs which are unique for each client.

---

Whatever Happened to the Basic Four Food Groups?

What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally... Read More

What A 6-Month Old Can Teach Us About Our Eating Habits

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More

Aging Gracefully with the Aid of Various Nutrients

During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More

High Blood Pressure? Natural Alternatives Can Help!

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More

9 Tips to Stop Food Cravings and Help You With Your Diet

Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More

Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part III)

The wonders of modern science continue to amaze us with... Read More

Food Additives Affect Behavior

On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More

Is Organic Really Better for You?

I had finally come to a place in my life... Read More

How to Have Great Sex - Nutrition and Foods That Create Passion

Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More

The Most Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More

Eggs For Balance

The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More

Is Dr. Arthur Agatston Fearing the Loss of Popularity of South Beach Diet?

Dr. Arthur Agatston, the cardiologist who developed South Beach Diet... Read More

Copping Out the Positive Effects of Copper

One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More

Help Prevent Premature Aging With Nutrition-Science

Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More

Anti oxidants ? Why Its a Must in Your Diet

While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More

Hypertension -Twelve Simple Things You Can Do To Lower Your Blood Pressure

Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More

Learn About Food Nutrition Facts

Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More

Fluoride Debate Continues

The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More

Just What Is A Carbohydrate Anyway?

During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More

Functional Foods Are Becoming More Popular...

Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More

Try a Slow-Carb Habit

Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More

Focus on Trans Fat

There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More

Using Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation

Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More

Fruits for Summer: Summer Skin Care

Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More

When Is The Penny Going To Finally Drop For People?

Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More

Is Vitamin E Beneficial Or Harmful? Cutting Through The Clutter Of Different Scientific Opinions

Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More

Eating On the Go: Healthy Choices While You Travel

If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More

Combat High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol with Soybeans

You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More

How Do You Know Your Nutrition is Working for You?

Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More

Being Proactive With Your Health Decisions

In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More

Battling Childhood Obesity through Smart Eating

Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More

Functional Foods: What They Are And How They Work

In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More

Not all Fats are Bad

Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More