Flax Seed apart from being a rich source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, lignan and mucilage is also rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, beta carotene, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. This rich source of vitamins and minerals therefore provides many benefits for physical and mental wellbeing.
Flax seed oil has a high level of Thiamin (or vitamin B1). When too little Vitamin B1 is available in the diet a person suffers from extreme fatigue, irritability, constipation, edema and an enlarged liver. In sever cases it may lead to beriberi. Thiamin may also be useful to combat air and sea sickness.
Low levels of Thiamin may also lead to heart conditions and heart failure. A lack of Thiamin may contribute to congestive heart failure and although it is not certain what effect treatment with Thiamin would have on this disease it is better to get enough Thiamin and avoid those foods that deplete it (too much sugar or alcohol) in order to help prevent this disease.
Flax seed oil also contains Vitamin B6 which is essential in balancing women's hormones, assisting the immune system, growing new cells and in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. A deficiency in this vitamin could lead to irritability, insomnia, acne, asthma and allergies. A deficiency in this vitamin could also lead to osteoporosis and arthritis.
Vitamin B6 is also involved in the creation of neurotransmitters within the brain and sufficient vitamin B6 is essential for normal brain function and development. If there is a deficiency in this vitamin this may also result in depression due to the resultant problems with neurotransmitters.
Flax seed oil is also a good supply of minerals including magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. Magnesium and phosphorus are both vital for strong bones and teeth as well as being involved in metabolic processes.
Researchers have also suggested that attention deficit may be caused by a slight magnesium deficiency and children who were given magnesium supplements in a random test showed a greater improvement in behavior over six months than those children who did not receive magnesium.
Copper is used in creating hemoglobin for the red blood cells and a deficiency in this element results in anemia. It is also used in wound healing due to the role it plays in the formation of elastin and collagen.
Apart from these minerals and vitamins flax seed oil also contains a number of others in smaller amounts. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic acid, vitamin K, calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, zinc and selenium.
Flax seed oil is a rich source of a variety of different vitamins and minerals including the largest quantities of vitamin B1 and B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. In order to ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet it is a good idea to take flax seed oil or flax seed oil supplements.
Glossary:
Edema: unusually large amounts of fluid between cells in the body