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A Healthy Start to a Healthy Year
Can your mind help your body keep your New Year’s resolutions? Mounting evidence says, *Yes.*
The evolving field of psycho-neuroimmunology, or the study of the mind-body connection - often considered fringe beliefs - could help you keep your...
Are Parabens Really Safe
You've probably heard the news stories about parabens and the controversy surrounding their use in personal care products. Here's a brief, but fair, look at this complicated issue: No cosmetic can ever be truly "natural"-no matter what the...
Diseases of the colon caused by Constipation
It was estimated that of all the people who died of cancer - colon, lung, prostate, and breast - in 1999 sixteen percent were attributed to colon cancer. But, how many of these other cancers originated in your colon? We do know that colon cancer...
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Breast Cancer
We hear it all the time…lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy. In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical...
Support Cancer Research, Wear Cancer Wristbands
Cancer is a very serious illness. This dreaded disease has caused many deaths; cancer is a disease that’s characterized by uncontrollable cell division and the danger of these mutant cells to invade the neighboring healthy cells and infect them....
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The Healthy Little Seed That Is Gaining Popularity
Flaxseed has been around since the time of the Emperor Charlemagne. Lately, it has received a lot of attention. Studies have shown that flaxseed has many benefits because of its variety of properties. Here are four reasons to consider adding flaxseed to your diet.
Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber, such as that in oat bran, has been shown to lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels. This contributes to a healthy heart. Insoluble fiber, such as that found in wheat bran, has the capacity to hold water and therefore contributes to regular bowel movements and healthier intestines.
Flaxseed contains both Omega3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3’s are found in fatty fish, some hen eggs and flaxseed oil. Flaxseed has been found to have the highest amount of omega 3 fatty acid found in plant form. Omega 6’s are found basically in vegetable oils. In our North American diet, we consume too much of omega 6 and not enough of omega 3. Flaxseed contains the proper ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3 has been found helpful in preventing heart disease and stroke. It has also been shown to have protective effects against hypertension and inflammatory disorders. Some studies suggest a correlation between omega 3 and the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
Flaxseed contains plant lignans. Plant lignans, when acted on by bacteria in the digestive tract, are converted to hormone-like substances. New studies are
ongoing, researching the effect this may have in the prevention of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer.
Flaxseed has a great taste. Flaxseed and ground flaxseed have a delicious, nutty flavor. Ground flaxseed can be used in recipes, instead of oil, in a three to one ratio. One cup of flaxseed equals one third cup of oil. To begin to incorporate it into your diet, you can add a little to muffins or baked breads. It is delicious sprinkled on oatmeal.
Because of the variety of beneficial effects, flaxseed is worth considering as an addition to our diets, two to three times a week. Flaxseed has anti-coagulant properties. This can be beneficial in preventing blood clots. However, if you are on aspirin therapy or taking ibuprofen regularly, there may be a risk of bleeding. Herbs, such as garlic and ginseng, may thin the blood as well. If you fall into any of these categories, be certain to consult with your physician on the amount of flaxseed, if any, that should be added to your diet.
About the Author: Constance Weygandt is an author, speaker and balance mentor. For more information on health and nutrition or to view her favorite oatmeal and flaxseed recipe, visit her at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com
Source: www.isnare.com
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