Flax Seed Oil: Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

Flax Seed Oil: Anti-Aging and Longevity Superfood

When flaxseed becomes a normal part of the diet, a culture will achieve greater health - Mahatma Gandhi

For hundreds of years, humanity has recognized the amazing health benefits of flaxseed, and its derivative, flaxseed oil. In the eighth century, Roman Emperor Charlemagne actually institutionalized its use as a health food throughout the Holy Roman Empire, and he enacted decrees which demanded that it be made part of the diet of all of his citizens. Flaxseed was one of the first medications, in use since at least the time of Ancient Greece. Hippocrates was among the many who utilized Flaxseed for its tremendous medicinal qualities.

Flaxseed is among the best available and natural sources to obtain Alph-linolenic acid. This acid is one of the primary Omega-Three Fatty Acids which are vital for a healthy body. Alpha-linolenic also belongs to a group of nutrients known as essential fatty acids. These nutrients cannot be naturally produced by humans and must be consumed in ones diet. Flaxseed oil has the capability to provide defence against a number of degenerative diseases associated with aging such as arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. Flaxseed oil can significantly increase the effectiveness of Human Growth Hormone Therapy, or other forms of regenerative Hormone Replacement Therapy, because of its amazing protective capabilities. Although Flaxseed is most well-known for containing Alpha-Linolenic Acid, it also contains a number of other fatty acids such as Omega-9s and Omega-6s. Flaxseed is among the heartiest sources for Essential Fatty Acids available from cultivation.

Not all Essential fatty acids can be acquired from flaxseed alone, however. Flaxseed only provides one of a trio of essential Omega Threes, and the other two are primarily acquired from proteins, especially fish like salmon which thrive in cold water. These other two Essential Omega-Three Acids are EPA and DHA, scientifically known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively.

Although DHA and EPA have more profound health effects than ALA, that doesnt mean that one should ignore the benefits of Flaxseed altogether. Alpha-linolenic acid has a number of significant effects on its own. For example, ALA has been shown to produce significant anti-inflammatory effects when added to an individuals diet. Another benefit of ALA is that after it has been consumed by the body, humans have the capability to convert Alpha-linolenic acid into both DHA and EPA. The issue with this is that the conversion takes place at a very low rate. Only around five to ten percent of ALA is converted into long-chain protein-derived Essential Omega-Threes.

So what does this mean for the health-conscious man or woman? Flaxseed is completely essential for vegetarians. Although proteins are the ideal source for EPA and DHA, Flaxseed oil makes a fantastic substitution for individuals who choose not to eat fish. It is also a great option because it is easily available in supplemental forms which can be purchased from any grocery store. The body does not need a large amount of DHA and EPA in order to function optimally, and for this reason, it only takes about a single tablespoon of Flaxseed oil to produce all of the Omega-Three Acids that the body needs to maintain optimal health. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil will be converted into around one gram of the protein-derived essential fatty acids.

Flaxseed Superfood: More than Just Omegas

There are numerous other benefits that flaxseed and flaxseed oil provide besides simply the essential amino acids. The oil of flaxseedand the seeds in particularare rich in beneficial material known as lignans. This material contributes to a number of the positive benefits of flaxseed as well. Lignans have been proven to be highly effective in treating many forms of cancer. They have the most significant effect upon hormonal cancers such as prostate, uterine, and breast cancer and as a result is an effective part of a hormone cancer treatment. For this reason, flaxseed oil is an invaluable nutrition source for patients undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy, because it has the ability to insulate the body from many problems that can slowly come forth as a result of a healthy and robustly active endocrine system.

A significant amount of research has been conducted regarding the effect of lignans upon breast cancer cells. These studies have borne very positive results. In one particular study, participants who were suffering from breast cancer were fed a muffin which contained twenty five grams of flaxseed. A second group of participants were fed a placebo muffin which they believed contained the same level of flaxseed. Patients who consumed this high dose of flaxseed showed markedly improved tumor progression outcomes compared to their cohorts on placebo.

Researchers came to the conclusion that consuming twenty five grams of flax seed each day has the ability to significantly drop the rate of cancer cell reproduction, and it also has the capability to actually encourage apoptosis (the degeneration of cancer cells). Flaxseed was also shown to reduce endogenous levels of a protein known as HER2, which has been shown to agitate and strengthen breast cancer cells.

In another study, scientists discovered that lignans found in flaxseed have the ability to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in laboratory testing. Another medical research study at Duke University produced evidence that prostate cancer patients who combined a healthy low-fat diet with the consumption of three tablespoons of flaxseed each day had improved medical outcomes which featured a reduction in the growth of prostate tumors. After further study, researchers have concluded that lignans have the ability to inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone, better known by its acronym, DHT. This testosterone derivative is partially responsible for inducing male pattern baldness, and elevated levels also lead to an enlarged prostate gland, which is the reason many older men have to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom. The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostate hyperplasia. In addition to this, elevated levels of DHT contribute to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil have a number of other positive effects as well. It promotes better colon and cardiovascular health. In addition to this, flaxseed has the ability to bolster the immune system and prevent illness. It also is highly beneficial for skin health and has the capability to maintain stable levels of blood sugar. For this reason, there is growing evidence that flaxseed can help individuals at risk of diabetes ward off the dreaded disease. The lignans that are present in flax may benefit women who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause as well. Flax lignans actually belong to a group of biological compounds known as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens have been scientifically shown to reduce the effects of menopause and help women make it through the physiological change as comfortably as possible. For patients who are only suffering from mild symptoms of menopause, flaxseed may confer all of the benefits necessary to manage the ordeal.

Although this benefit is not obtainable through the oil, flaxseeds are also amazing sources of soluble fiber. Although flaxseed oil is highly beneficial, the maximum level of benefit is provided by consuming the seeds themselves. They are fantastic to use when baking or making a healthy and delicious salad. In addition to this, they can be added to cereals or blended into smoothies. It is important to break the shells of flaxseed before consuming them, because the human body cant digest the entire seed. Flaxseed is an excellent addition to nearly any meal, and is incredibly versatile and easy to include into a healthy diet.

The most effective way to obtain Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oils

The most widely distributed producer of flax is Barleans Organic Oils. They produce more flaxseed products than any other corporation in the United States. Their flagship product is called Forti-Flax, which is pre-shelled and pre-ground for immediate consumption. Consuming four tablespoons of this flaxseed product will provide you with three grams of Omega-Three Essential Fatty Acids, six grams of fiber, and a number of other health-promoting phytochemicals and lignans. It is important to note that the amount of flaxseed provided in one serving of Forti-Flax is identical to the amount used in the majority of studies which prove the health benefits of flax. On top of this, flaxseed has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits as well. Flaxseed is a simple and cheap addition to a healthy diet which confers amazing benefits for minimal cost, and every person in America should take advantage of this medicinal seed.

Most high-quality forms of flaxseed oil are processed cold in order to preserve their high lignin levels. Barleans produces a product known as Lignan Flax Oil that is manufactured in this way, and it can be found refrigerated in most general nutrition stores.

It is vitally important to note that Flaxseed Oil is not a cooking oil. Cooking with flaxseed oil deteriorates the delicate bonds of the essential fatty acids contained within, and in addition to this, the relatively low boiling point makes it a poor choice as a cooking oil. The best way to use flaxseed oil is to consume it alone as a nutritional supplement, or use it as topping for cooked veggies, grains, or fresh salads.

Flaxseed oil truly is one of the most uniquely nutritious foods in the world. The multitude of benefits that result from the consumption of this superfood make it a dietary must for any patient undergoing bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Flaxseed both amplified the effects of HGH and Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy while also protecting the body from potential side-effects that can result from elevated hormones. Before receiving your first Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT treatment in the mail, we encourage you to purchase this product and add it to your diet as soon as you can.

Information provided by Doctor Jonny Bowden, author of The Original Healing Food

Doctor Bowden is a professional expert on health, nutrition, and weight control. He is a certified specialist in the field of nutrition and he has a graduate degree in psychology. He has written five nutritional guides, including The Most Effective Cures on Earth and The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.