Nutrition Tips: Flaxseed for Fitness

Why’s Flax So Fab?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Flax is known as the richest source of essentials fatty acids such as Omega 6 and Omega 3 which are essential to cell membrane formation, active brain tissues and in controlling cholesterol. These fatty acids MUST be consumed through diet, our bodies have no way of producing them.

Fight Cholesterol: As part of a daily diet, flax has been shown to reduce total cholesterol by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.

Defeat Diabetes: Eat flax daily to help lower blood sugar levels. In a recent study by the University of Toronto , test subjects who ate bread made with flax seed had blood sugar levels 28% lower than their counterparts who ate whole wheat flour bread.

Cream Cancer: Flax has a high lignan content (up to 800% more than any other tested plant food), alpha-linoleic acid and fiber which combine to provides natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax is an especially potent fighter of breast and colon cancer.

Combat Constipation: Firing cannon balls into the potty? Or just straining to fire off anything at all? Flax to the rescue! High in both soluble and insoluble fiber, one ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’S recommendation for daily fiber intake.

Address Arthritis: Do you suffer from an inflammatory disorder including rheumatoid arthritis? Push too hard in your workout? Flax can help. The bounty of Omega 3’s in flax eases joint pain and stiffness .

Smooth Menopausal Symptoms: Night sweats, moodiness, hot flashes…No fun at all. Flax is the richest known source of plant phytoestrogens which act like natural hormone therapy.

Help Your Heart: Numerous studies show flax reduces total cholesterol, LDL levels and triglycerides. In addition, flax helps reduce clotting time which lessens the chance for heart attack or stroke. Regular flax consumption can also help keep arteries clear and pliable.

Ignite Your Immune System: Eating flax daily helps protect against the germs and pathogens we all encounter. Lignans and alpha-linoleic acid – 2 components of flax –boost immune cells and compounds that control immune reaction

Beat the Blues: 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily has been shown to help 2/3 of severely depressed women within 8 weeks. Flax contains the mood-enhancing ingredient docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is essential for normal brain cell function but up to

85% of women are not getting enough!

So, I Am Skipping Off To Buy Some Flax…

Look for Organic ground flax seeds – I like Spectrum Naturals or Barleans. You can also buy whole flax seeds and grind in a coffee grinder just before using. While flax seeds are generally less expensive than oil, flax oil is a great way to get the benefits of flax. Just be sure to store any unused flax seed or oil in the fridge.

How Much Is Enough?

Just one or two tablespoons a day – in oatmeal, a smoothie, on top of yogurt, baked into muffins or drizzle flax oil over salad or bread.

Flaxseed Ain’t Gonna Make You Fat!

Recently, one of my good friends told me she had never tried flax because she was afraid it would make her fat. Apparently, she’d read in some Rag Mag that actress Rene Zellwiger ate flax when she was trying to bulk up for Bridget Jones…

I am telling you, 2 tablespoons of flax will NOT make you fat.

First of all, flax is one of the good, healthy fats, that helps rev UP the metabolism so that you will burn more fat. Second, 2 tablespoons of flaxseed is only 80 calories, with a whopping 5 grams of fiber! I don’t know what Rene was eating, but I have a feeling she may have been putting bowlfuls of flax on top of a double-decker banana split…

Feel Good With Flax!

Love,
Health Sundae