Flaxseed: A Superfood to Reign in Health & Fitness With!

Flaxseed is a powerful superfood that many people are still unfamiliar with. I was showing some pictures of me making my raw flaxseed crackers on facebook and someone asked me what was flaxseed and it's benefits. So here is a brief introduction!

What are flaxseeds?

Flaxseeds are made from the plant Flax and is also called linseed. 50% of the fat in flax seeds is omega 3 fatty acid. Flaxseed is the richest source of omega 3 fatty acids in plants making it a prime super food for vegetarians (vegans) who don’t eat fish.

What are the benefits?

• Flaxseed oil helps with eczema
• Flaxseed reduces the symptoms of arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and acne
• Flaxseeds are high in the antioxidants such as lignans
• The oil in flaxseeds are a natural estrogen balancer and can help with the symptoms of menopause
• Flaxseeds are a great source of fiber and can help to relieve constipation

How is it stored?

Whole flaxseeds should be stored in a cool dark place and are good for up to 12 months. For ground (milled, flaxmeal), it is optimal to store in the freezer. Whole seeds last longer than ground because the oxidation process begins when the seed is broken or ground. Flaxseeds are better that flax oil simply because you get the benefits of the entire seed and not just in part when you consume only the oil. Although flax oil is good, flaxseed is better!

How much do I need to see the benefits?

The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known. But 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, according to the Flax Council of Canada.

How do I eat it?

Every time you have a certain food, like oatmeal, smoothies, soup, or yogurt, stir in a couple tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Flaxseed can be added to sauces, stews, soups, etc.

You can bake with it, muffins, breads, bagels, pancakes and waffles. Try substituting a portion of ground flaxseed meal for your flour. A suggested ratio is replacing1/4 to 1 cup of flaxseed meal when the recipe calls for at least 2 cups of flour.

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