Month: March 2015
How to Avoid Angioplasty or Bypass
With the rise of obesity and availability and cheapness of fast food, procedures like an angioplasty and bypass are becoming more common.
But, there are ways to avoid getting it and I found a nice graphic to share with you guys that might help.
Remember, natural remedies are always the best. Keep yourself fit and healthy from the beginning and things will never come to this.
Let me know if you guys know any good ways to keep your veins healthy and clean.
Fennel and it’s Benefits – Digestive Solution
In the United States, fennel was once a widely prescribed drug for treating digestive issues. But that was before drug companies’ focus on patents and profit pushed natural remedies to the wayside.
It’s time for a fennel revival, especially if you suffer from any sort of digestive ailment—cramps, heartburn, indigestion, stomachaches, bowel irregularities, bloating, gas—you name it!
Make IBS Symptoms Vanish with Volatile Oils
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the colon. In the United States alone, IBS afflicts between 25 and 45 million people! If you or someone you know is plagued by IBS, then fennel might ease your suffering. Replete with volatile oils, fennel helps to prevent and relieve the symptoms of IBS (along with other gastrointestinal conditions) by first revving up the production of digestive enzyme secretions so that digestion kicks into gear. It also helps regulate contractions of the intestines, thereby alleviating cramps and trapped stomach gas.
Fennel contains the following volatile oils:
- Anethole
- Fenchone
- Estragole
Together, these volatile oils lend their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties to fennel. Better yet, these volatile oils render fennel anti-spasmodic, which means regular consumption of the herb helps to relax the muscle lining of the digestive tract.
How Do You Take Your Fennel?
The higher the volatile oils, the more effective fennel is for digestion. For this reason, you might want to consider getting your fennel dose via a high volatile fennel tea.
If you’re more of a do-it-yourselfer, you may purchase crushed fennel seeds from your spice store—or whole fennel seeds that can be crushed via mortar and pestle—and then brew as a tea.
Or, you can chew on a whole fennel seed. Daily ingestion of fennel can help prevent digestive issues from flaring up, but if you’re already suffering symptoms, fennel can help solve the problem.
Other Benefits When you add fennel to your daily diet, be on the lookout for the following health benefits (some positive side effects if ever there were any!):Detoxification—fennel is a mild diuretic and can help flush water and toxins from the body Pain relief—the anti-inflammatory properties of fennel help subdue joint pain Cold cure—fennel is a phlegm fighter, a sore throat soother, and a fever reducer Blood pressure regulator—fennel has been shown to help lower blood pressure Breath freshener—a quick fix for bad breath |
Grape Seed Oil to Reduce Cholesterol
Did you know…that 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil benefits a day helps lower LDL cholesterol?
Europeans have been using grapes, as well as their sap and leaves, to treat a variety of health conditions for 1000s of years. Grapes grabbed the attention of the West in 1991, when CBS’s “60 Minutes” reported on “The French Paradox.” How in the world are the French able to eat a high fat diet made up of cheese, chocolate and wine, and still have such low rates of cardiovascular disease?
Some experts believe the answer to the riddle lies in the French people’s high consumption of red wine, known to contain heart-healthy antioxidants, such as resveratrol. And where does red wine come from? Grapes!
You can get the same cardiovascular protection from just 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil a day.
Grape Seed Oil’s Slow Rise to Fame
Grape seed oil isn’t quite as well known as its more popular counterparts, olive and canola oil. The oversight is certainly not due to lack of merit, as many experts believe grape seed oil benefits to be the healthiest oil of them all. Perhaps it is not as popular because grape seed oil is more difficult and expensive to extract than the oil of other seeds and nuts.
Even so, grape seed oil benefits won’t break the bank and makes for a wonderful all-purpose cooking oil used for baking, frying and sautéing. It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which makes it ideal for cooking. Its light, neutral taste doesn’t compete with food’s natural flavors and is a delicious addition to salad dressings.
Grape seed oil becomes even tastier when you add all its health-enhancing properties to the mix. Studies indicate that grape seed oil benefits and grape seed extract heal a variety of health issues, including heart disease.
An Antioxidant Powerhouse
Grape seed oil is rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene. Antioxidants are important because they defend against free radical damage, which leads to premature aging and chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
Of particular interest to researchers is a highly potent group of chemicals in grapes known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). Research suggests that it may be the powerful antioxidant properties of OPCs that render grape seed oil benefits such a heart-healthy option. One study found that healthy subjects who took grape seed extract (made from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes) daily showed increased levels of antioxidants in the blood.
Dr. Ralph Feder, author of “The Bonus Years Diet,” explains that when you cook with grape seed oil you can raise your HDL (healthy cholesterol levels) by as much as 13% and lower your LDL (unhealthy cholesterol levels) by as much as 7%.
Lower Your Cholesterol the Safe and Natural Way
If you suffer from high cholesterol, then you probably take a statin drug, which unfortunately comes with many harmful side effects. Grape seed oil delivers the same benefits, without the unwanted side effects.
In addition to a rich supply of antioxidants, grape seed oil benefits contains linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid that makes up 76% of the fatty acid in grape seed oil. With superior anti-inflammatory properties, linoleic acid is the only essential fatty acid proven to raise HDL levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels.
High levels of LDL cholesterol threaten your heart because when LDL cholesterol oxidizes, it sticks to your arteries. This plague buildup manifests as arthrosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a primary cause of heart attack and stroke.
Linoleic acid protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation, thereby helping your arteries stay clean so that your blood flows freely to your heart. Studies have shown that when taken as a pure extract, grape seed oil benefits can reduce LDL cholesterol oxidation by as much as 90%!
Another promising study analyzed the effects of grape seed extract, chromium, a combination of grape seed extract and chromium, or a placebo on the cholesterol levels of 40 volunteers with high cholesterol. Results showed that a combination of grape seed extract and chromium proved most effective.
Another study, made up of 24 healthy male smokers 50 years or older, found that subjects who consumed grape seed extract twice a day for 4 weeks had substantially lower LDL cholesterol levels.
Avocado and it’s Health Benefits
Avocado is great and it achieved this distinction because many nutritionists claim it not only contains everything a person needs to survive — but it has also been found to contribute to the prevention and control of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.
The avocado (Persea gratissima or P. americana) originated in Puebla, Mexico and its earliest use dates back to 10,000 years B.C. Since AD 900, the avocado tree has been cultivated and grown in Central and South America. In the 19th century, the avocado made its entry into California, and has since become a very successful commercial crop. Ninety-five percent (95%) of U.S. avocados are gown in Southern California.
The avocado, also called the alligator pear, is a high-fiber, sodium- and cholesterol-free food that provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) — as well as potassium.
Foods naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as avocados, are widely acknowledged as the secret to a healthy heart, a brilliant brain and eagle eyes.
Dr. Daniel G. Amen, a clinical neuroscientist, psychiatrist, brain-imaging expert and author of the New York Times bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life counts avocados as one of the top brain-healthy foods that can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
That’s not only because of the avocado’s health benefits omega-3 fatty acid content but also its…
Vitamin E content — An international journal called Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, reported its findings from years of clinical trials — high doses of Vitamin E can neutralize free radicals and the buildup of proteins to reverse the memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients; reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the early stages and retard the progression of the disease;
Folate content — helps to prevent the formation of tangled nerve fibers associated with Alzheimer’s.
The virtues and benefits of the avocado are too numerous to mention.
But Here Are Just a Few More Avocado Health Benefits That Its Nutritional Profile Provides:
- Monounsaturated Fats — These types of fats help control triglycerides in the bloodstream, lower blood cholesterol and control diabetes.
- Folate — This water-soluble B vitamin promotes healthy cell and tissue development. According to the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, “This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is also essential for metabolism of homocysteine and helps maintain normal levels of this amino acid.”
- Lutein — This is a carotenoid (a natural pigment) that protects against cataracts and certain types of cancer, and reduces the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years of age and older. Avocados contain 3 or more times as much lutein as found in other common vegetables and fruits.
- Oleic acid and Potassium — Both of these nutrients also help in lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
You can add these avocado benefits to your diet in many ways:
- 1) The easiest way is to cut the avocado in half and sprinkle it with herbal seasoning or maple syrup.
2) Chop the avocado and add it to a salad, or use it as a topping or side garnish for soup.
3) Mash an avocado and spread it on bread or a bagel (in place of butter or cream cheese).
4) Cut an avocado in half and fill the little hollow (left after you remove the pit) with your favorite healthy topping such as herbed rice or couscous.
5) Make an avocado dressing or the crowd-pleasing guacamole dip to add flavor to raw or steamed vegetables. You can easily find many avocado recipes online.
Blended with fruit, avocados make a rich and delicious snack, side dish or dessert — and produces highly-nutritious baby food which delivers “good fat” for baby’s brain and physical development.
Before you indulge in avocados to your heart’s content, however, remember that they have lots of calories because of their fat content. According to WebMD, “A medium-sized avocado contains 30 grams of fat, as much as a quarter-pound burger”.
That’s why diet experts have long urged Americans to go easy on avocados in favor of less fatty fruits and vegetables. But now nutritionists are taking another look.
They’re finding that most of the fat in an avocado is monounsaturated — the “good” kind that actually lowers cholesterol levels. Thanks to this new understanding, the U.S. government recently revised its official nutrition guidelines to urge Americans to eat more avocados.
Shed Fat and Help your Osteoporosis with Olive Lead Extract
Did you know…that a delicious fruit enjoyed in Mediterranean cuisine can fight infections, strengthen your immune system, protect against heart disease, prevent osteoporosis and help you lose weight?
Olive leaf extract is one of the most powerful, all natural antimicrobial agents known to science. It has been shown to treat colds, flu, and infections of the sinuses and upper respiratory tract. But the health benefits don’t stop there.
Olive leaf extract fights a wide range of disease-causing bacteria and helps cure…
- • Yeast infections
- • Fungal infections
- • Herpes
- • Chronic fatigue
- • Allergies
- •
- • A host of other pathogens
Olive leaf extract has been praised for boosting energy…invigorating heart health…strengthening the immune system…preventing osteoporosis…and even aiding in weight loss!
An Antioxidant Bonanza
Antioxidants protect the body from scavenging free radicals that promote disease and premature aging. Olive leaf extract from the Mission and Manzanillo olive trees contains the noteworthy antioxidants resveratrol and tyrosol, but the true antioxidant champs are the phytochemicals oleuropein and hydroxytrosol.
In fact, hydroxytrosol has a free radical absorbance capacity ten times higher than that of green tea and 400% higher than that of vitamin C!
A Heart-Healthy Nutrient
The benefits of olive leaf extract have been shown to treat all the major precursors of cardiovascular illness. It inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol by discouraging this disease-causing cholesterol from collecting on blood vessel platelets and clogging arteries.
It reduces inflammation (the number one cause of heart disease) and boosts circulation, thereby relaxing arteries, lowering blood pressure, and normalizing arrhythmias.
A Powerful Weapon Against Osteoporosis
A recent study published in Osteoporosis International showed that concentrations of oleuropein stimulated the number and activity of osteoblast cells (the cells that are responsible for bone formation).
Not only did the compound increase osteoblasts, but it also increased the expression of genes linked to osteoblast production.
Researchers summarized the results of their findings, stating: “Our data suggest that oleuropein, highly abundant in olive tree products included in the Mediterranean diet, could prevent age-related bone loss and osteoporosis.”
Good news for the 75 million around the world who have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that results in low bone mass and significantly increases your risk of fractures, particularly of the spine, hips and wrists.
A Slimming Infusion
Results from an animal study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that the benefits of olive leaf extract helps stimulate the thyroid compound that sheds pounds.
Researchers at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia gave coffee or green tea infused with olive leaf extract to rats with health issues such as fatty liver, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
Within 8 weeks, the rats had shed the fat and completely reversed all their obesity-related health conditions.
Reap the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
People who follow a Mediterranean diet have a reduced risk for certain cancers, heart disease and viruses. Health experts say you can enjoy these same benefits by supplementing with olive leaf extract in the form of a liquid concentrate, dried extract, dried leaf tea, powder, or capsule.
If supplementing with a capsule, take 1-2 pills a day (approximately 500mg). If suffering from a cold or flu, take 2 capsules every 6 hours, and if battling an infection take a maximum dose of 3-4 pills every 6 hours.
Do not take olive leaf extract if you are on statin drugs, diabetic drugs, or are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Get the Beet Back Into Your Life
Beets may well be one of the least frequently consumed vegetables in America. Perhaps they’ve fallen into disuse in our hurry-up, everything-instant frenzy of life because they require some prep time. And beet greens probably find their way to the table even more seldom than the root that sprouted them.
But with a growing awareness of health and nutrition, the popularity of beets and their greens also seems to be on the rise.
Beets have been around for thousands of years and flourish in all kinds of climates. Their speedy rate of growth makes it possible to harvest two crops per year even in many northern regions.
Beets are making their comeback in three primary forms: beet juice, beet greens, and beet roots, each with its unique set of benefits.
Beet Juice
If you’re looking for a pre-workout energy drink to boost your stamina, beet juice does just that. The juice is high in nitrates that help promote blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Beet juice also contains betalain, a powerful antioxidant that is an anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, and aids in the detoxification of the body. Beet juice promotes eye and liver health, prevents anemia, and helps heal gout, kidney and gall bladder issues.
Beet Greens
Beet greens rank as one of the richest food sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber and contain more beneficial nutrients than its root. Beet greens boast healthy amounts of:
- Vitamins K, A, C and B1, 3, and 6
- Minerals: copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus
- Carotenoids: lutein and beta-carotene
These nutrients strengthen the immune system, fight cancer and heart disease, help prevent osteoporosis, boost bone strength, and may even help ward off Alzheimer’s.
Beet Roots
In bygone eras, beet greens were eaten, while the roots were reserved for medicinal purposes. Today, we’ve all but forgotten the leaves and eat the root.
Beet roots also contain healthy amounts of the nutrients listed above. The root is low in calories and high in fiber. Additionally, raw beets provide an excellent source of folates necessary for DNA synthesis in our cells.
The deep crimson color in beets stems from betalain and other antioxidant phytonutrients. These vary from vegetable to vegetable, not only creating a beautiful array of colors, but a host of health benefits. So a colorful presentation of vegetables on the table translates into a cornucopia of nutrients as well.
The secret is out. Beets and their greens offer a double-dose of nutrients and minerals all combined in one beautiful package. Now it’s up to you to experiment with a thousand different ways to enjoy their rich flavor and healthful benefits.
Brussels Sprouts and their Anti- Cancer benefits
Did You Know…that Brussels sprouts contain a substance that causes cancer cells to self-destruct?
The idea of Brussels sprouts may not immediately set your taste buds tingling, but this vegetable’s health benefits are guaranteed to tantalize. Brussels sprouts contain more glucosinolates—a kind of anti-carcinogenic compound—than any other cruciferous vegetable.
Glucosimolates Fight Cancer Glucosinolates are special phytonutrients that serve as the chemical source for a large number of cancer-protective substances. |
All cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, however, recent research indicates that the combination of compounds found in the Brussels sprout are especially potent and valuable. The anti-cancer benefits of Brussels sprouts stem primarily from four specific glucosinolates:
Glucoraphanin
Glucobrassicin
Gluconasturtiian
Sinigrin
Sinigrin, in particular, appears to cause cancer cells to self-destruct.
Of all the the studies on the Brussels sprout available in PubMed, the health research database at the National Library of Medicine in Washington, D.C., more than half connect it to cancer prevention. Brussels sprouts provide nutrients that support the three processes in your body most intricately involved in cancer development—and cancer prevention:
- Detoxification
- Antioxidant deployment
- Anti-inflammatory activity
Chronic issues with any of the above processes increase your risk of cancer. When malfunctions occur simultaneously, your risk of cancer increases substantially.
Sprouts Prevent a Multitude of Cancers and Stop DNA Damage
Research so far shows Brussels sprout intake can decrease your risk of bladder cancer… colon cancer… prostate cancer… ovarian cancer… breast cancer… and lung cancer. Evidence from a study conducted in the Netherlands points to a possible reason for the
Brussels sprout’s broad-spectrum cancer protection. It appears the sprouts keep the body cancer-free by protecting DNA from damage.
For the three-week study, researchers analyzed the effect of Brussels sprouts on two groups of healthy men. One group ate 300 grams of Brussels sprouts each day, while the other group ate a diet devoid of all cruciferous vegetables. Testing at the end of the study showed the daily dose of Brussels sprouts led to a 28% decrease in measured DNA damage.
Your Daily Dose of Vitamin A Through Zinc
Along with anti-carcinogenic glucosinolates, Brussels sprouts provide a wealth of other nutrients. They offer significant quantities of crucial nutrients, including…
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Copper
Potassium
Magnesium
Pantothenic acid
Calcium
Phosphorus
Zinc
Brussels sprouts are also good source of vitamin A, vitamin B2 and B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K. In addition to all that, they deliver your daily dose of fiber and protein, with a side of disease-fighting phytochemicals.
The World’s Healthiest Food
To extract maximum health benefits, experts recommend that you steam your Brussels sprouts. The George Mateljan Foundation, which runs The World’s Healthiest Foods site, recommends this Five-Minute Method:
“Fill the bottom of a steamer pan with two inches of water. If Brussels sprouts are cut into quarters, steam for 6 minutes. If you have chopped them into smaller pieces, steam for five minutes.” When perfectly cooked, the sprouts should have a “crisp, dense texture” and a bright, “green,” mild sweetness.
Green Smoothie Health Benefits
How a 3-Minute Solution Can Make it Nearly Impossible for You to Get Ill
FACT: More people have died from preventable diseases than all the wars of the world combined. |
Chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It affects the population worldwide, and accounts for 70% of all deaths in the United States, which is 1.7 million each year.
Approximately 133 million Americans—or close to one out of every two adults—live with at least one chronic illness. The top 6 chronic diseases are heart disease… diabetes… arthritis… obesity… stroke…and cancer.
Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that the mainstream public believes can only be controlled but not cured. This is completely false! Chronic diseases are among the most preventable health conditions—and they can not only be effectively controlled but even cured.
Nutritional Deficiency is One of the Major Causes of Chronic Disease
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that only 24% of U.S. adults eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day, despite evidence indicating that doing so drastically improves your odds of staying disease-free.
Many health experts maintain that including just 5 fruits and 3 vegetables in your daily diet makes it almost impossible to develop a chronic disease. In recent years, because most individuals aren’t able to consume that many servings of fruits and vegetables per day, countless people from all over the world are flocking to the “3-Minute Wellness in a Glass” also known as…the green smoothie.
Green smoothies are the easiest way to “drink” large amounts of fruits and vegetables you wouldn’t be able to consume otherwise, thereby flooding your body with plant-based phytochemicals, sometimes called phytonutrients, which deliver a wealth of benefits. They strengthen your immune system… extend your lifespan…and reduce your odds of developing a life-threatening disease.
Green smoothies also provide a rich source of beneficial amino acids, minerals and antioxidants. That’s also why they’re called “the new prescription” for perfect health. Best of all, when you use kitchen-tested recipes, they taste great.
A single green smoothie can fill your nutritional quota for the day and keep chronic diseases away.
WARNING: Not Just Any Smoothie Will Do! A “green smoothie” consists of 60% organic fruits (fresh or frozen) and 40% organic green leafy vegetables, blended well in a high-powered blender, sometimes with a cup of liquid. It is not to be confused with the fruit smoothies or shakes or fruit/vegetable juices sold in juice bars or restaurants, which don’t have the nutritional and therapeutic benefits that green smoothes have. |
When done right, drinking green smoothies is the single most health-enhancing, weight-reducing, detoxifying, anti-aging and healing habit you can ever adopt.
Clent Manich, a man from Medford, Oregon, weighed 447 pounds—and suffered from Type II diabetes and acute pancreatitis. His doctors told him he was going to die. But by consuming green smoothies every day, he was able to overcome diabetes, and was completely off insulin and all his medications in 3 weeks! In 14 weeks, he lost 100 pounds — and he eventually dropped 226 pounds in one year, and has never regained the weight.
Click here to get the exact recipe that made Clent Manich lose 227 pounds — and beat diabetes and pancreatitis.
Make a healthy choice and see in the improvement in your life.
The Oil Many People Overlook that can Boost your Health
How “Forgotten Oil” Can Dramatically Boost the Health of Your Entire Body
Treasured for its healing properties throughout the Roman Empire, flax seed oil benefits was one of the original natural remedies used by Hippocrates. Nearly every bodily system can benefit from this “forgotten oil,” including the cardiovascular system…immune system…circulatory system…reproductive system…nervous system…and joints.
What is Flax?
Flax (usitatissimum) is a blue flowering plant that grows on the Western Canadian prairies. Flax oil (also known as linseed oil) is considered to be nature’s richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the health of the whole body. In addition to omega 3’s, flax oil benefits also provides omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA).
In the 1970s, flax oil benefits gained popularity among the most committed natural health aficionados. However, it fell out of fashion when oil manufacturers deemed nutritional oils less profitable.
You see, those same omega 3’s and omega 6’s that give flax is extraordinary health benefits are also highly sensitive to heat and air. This means flax oil has a short shelf life and is more costly to produce, transport, and store than many cooking oils.
In spite of this hurdle, flax oil benefits are making a fast comeback thanks to an avalanche of scientific studies that support its long list of health benefits. Indeed, many nutritionists, researchers, and scientists praise flax as one of the most important health supplements you can consume.
Medical Research and Flax– A Host of Health Benefits For Heart, Colon, Immunity, Brain, Skin, Blood Sugar, and Waist Line
Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides and prevent clotting in the arteries. This is important, because clotting can lead to strokes and heart attacks. Flax oil benefits also boosts cardiovascular health by helping to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Further, flax oil benefits are 100 times richer in lignan than most whole grains—and risks is lower for both breast and colon cancer in populations whose diets are rich in lignan.
Flax oil benefits also promotes colon health. In addition to relieving constipation, it has proven anticancer benefits.
Numerous research studies have proven that this forgotten oil may provide myriad valuable health benefits, including its potential to do the following…
- Shorten recovery time for muscles after exercise
- Increase energy and stamina
- Accelerate healing of sprains and bruises
- Aid weight loss
- Stimulate brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate (making it easier to burn off fat)
- Enhance calcium absorption
- Strengthen finger and toenails
- Improve eyesight and perception of colors
- Improve liver function
- Relieve the side effects and stop development of many forms of cancer
- Relieve asthma and allergies
- Improve eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff
- Relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
- Improve blood sugar and diabetes symptoms
- Prevent atherosclerosis (accumulation of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels)
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Relieve depression
- Improve mental function
- Help in the treatment of multiple sclerosis
- Relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Flaxseed Oil for Hair Growth
Yet another impressive trait of flax oil benefits comes from using it externally for hair growth. Flax oil encourages growth by increasing the circulation in the scalp. Plus, its rich stores of vitamin E work to nourish the scalp and promote healthy cell production.
Experts say benefits can be achieved by puncturing 3 to 5 flax seed oil capsules and massaging the oil into the scalp completely and then waiting at least 30 minutes before shampooing.
Flax Oil vs. Flax Seeds—Both Have Benefits
Flax oil is a nutritional wonder, but consuming the whole seeds may be even more powerfully beneficial. This is because the seeds themselves are loaded with nutrition, including the following essential nutrients…
- High quality protein for your diet
- Soluble fiber (the oil and fiber of whole flax seeds makes them an excellent and safe laxative)
- Vitamins B-1, B-2, C, E, carotene, iron, zinc, and trace amounts of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium
- The phytonutrient lignan. As mentioned, lignans are thought to protect against breast and colon cancer. Researchers believe this may be because lignans flush excess estrogen from the body. Eliminating excess estrogens helps prevent estrogen-related cancers (such as breast cancer). Lignans may also protect against infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Tips for Purchasing and Using Flax Oil and Flax Seeds
Flax can be purchased as whole or preground seeds, as extracted oil, or as oil in capsules. Health experts advise that whole flax seeds should be ground prior to consumption (which can be done with a simple coffee grinder).
As for flax oil, the short shelf life is an important consideration when purchasing and using. Flax oil turns rancid relatively quickly (often within 6 weeks of processing). In addition, its health benefits can be negatively affected by heat and air (or maximized by combining with other foods). Therefore, the following tips for purchasing and using flax oil are advised by natural health practitioners:
- Choose flax oil that is stored in black containers and kept in the store’s refrigerator section.
In your own home, make sure to refrigerate your flax oil and minimize air exposure by keeping the lid tightly closed.
- Purchase flax oil small quantities of 8 to 12 oz, depending on how much you intend to use (recommended daily dose for most people is at least 1,000 mg taken 1 to 3 times daily).
- Don’t cook with flax oil (heat can turn essential fatty acids into harmful substances). Instead, add flax oil to foods after cooking and just before serving.
- Consider taking flax oil with your meal, because doing so can actually increase the nutritional value of your food.
- The benefits of flax oil can take from a few days to as many as 6 weeks to emerge, depending on your health status. Therefore, experts recommend committing to at least 6 weeks of consistent use in order to judge effectiveness for specific health issues.