Flax seed and flax seed oil are excellent supplements to any diet as they provide a lot of nutritional value including a high level of omega 3 essential fatty, acids, lignan, mucilage, fiber, as well as various vitamins and minerals.
The first ingredient which flax seed and flax seed oil contain a rich supply of is omega 3 essential fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for physical and mental wellbeing and have been known to help prevent and treat heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, attention deficit, depression and various other disorders. Flax seed contains the omega 3 essential fatty acid known as ALA. In most people this substance will be converted into EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are usually the active components providing many of the benefits to the body.
The second substance adding to the nutritional value of flax seed is lignan. Lignan is a phytoestrogen meaning that it acts like an estrogen but can also balance the estrogen levels in the body which is beneficial for women going through menopause or for PMS as well as breast cancer. It is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent and repair oxidative damage in the body which can lead to such diseases as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes and cancer.
The nutritional value of flax seed is further enhanced by the mucilage found in flax seed. Mucilage is a natural laxative and also acts to prevent the build up of toxins in the bowel. It is also useful for irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers and a sensitive stomach.
Flax seed also contains a number of vitamins and minerals which further add to the nutritional value of flax seed. Thiamin is the vitamin that flax seed contains the richest supply of; however there are also smaller supplies of vitamin C, E, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K.
Flax seed also contains a number of minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. Magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese are the minerals most richly supplied by flax seed.
If you would like to get the nutritional value of flax seed you should start by incorporating flax seed into your diet. Flax seeds may be incorporated into your diet by grinding them and adding them to your cereals and salads. Whole flax seeds may also be drunk in a glass of water but this will need to be drunk immediately as the mucilage will solidify the water if left too long. Flax seed oil contains less nutritional value than the whole flax seeds but is best for getting a rich supply of omega 3 essential fatty acids. You can include flax seed oil or flax seed oil supplements in your diet to improve the nutritional benefit you get from flax seeds.
Flax seed has a high nutritional value containing a rich supply of omega 3 essential fatty acids, lignan, mucilage, fiber, and a number of vitamins and minerals. To get the full benefit of flax seed in your diet start by including flax seeds in your cereals and salads, and add flax seed oil and flax seed oil supplements to your diet.
Glossary:
Lignan: a plant chemical that acts like estrogen and has antioxidant properties
Mucilage: a gum like substance in plants containing protein and polysaccharides