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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.
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