Flaxseed oil with its high levels of omega 3 fatty acids and lignan offer many benefits to women's health. These health benefits include reducing the risk of breast cancer, regulate ovulation, help ease peri-menopausal symptoms, ease premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, as well as help osteoporosis.
Firstly, flaxseed oil supplementation benefits women's health by reducing the chances of getting breast cancer. Flaxseed oil contains a high level of lignan. Lignan has the ability to lower estrogen levels and so aid in reducing the risk of breast cancer as does the fiber that can be obtained through flax seeds.
Jade Beutler in "Women's Health - Preventing Breast Cancer the Natural way" says the following, "Lignans in flaxseed possess the following attributes: anti-tumor, anti-estrogenic abilities, estrogen mimicking effect without risks associated with estrogen therapy, powerful anti-oxidant capabilities, anti-viral properties, anti-bacterial properties, anti-fungal properties" (http://www.barleans.com/literature/flax/54-womens-health.html)
The ability of the lignan in flaxseed oil to normalize estrogen is also responsible for regulating ovulation, normalizing progesterone and may also slightly increase the menstrual cycle while ensuring that it remains constant.
Flaxseed oil has also been helpful for women who are peri-menopausal or post-menopausal. Flaxseed oil helps to balance the hormone levels and so helps ease the symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, headaches, sleep difficulties, mood swings and other symptoms peri-menopausal women experience. Flaxseed oil may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in post-menopausal women.
Flaxseed oil also helps with premenstrual and menstrual symptoms in women such as headaches, depression, irritability, cramps, bloating and breast tenderness. This is due to the high omega 3 essential fatty acid levels found in flaxseed oil.
Osteoporosis is another disease commonly experienced by women which may be benefited by taking flaxseed oil. The essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil increase absorption and decrease excretion of calcium, and increase the amount of calcium that is deposited in the bone.
In addition flaxseed oil also provides many benefits that are more cosmetic in nature for women. Flaxseed is important for healthy skin and hair and so can improve a women's overall appearance through stronger nails, shining hair and beautiful skin. Women who are experiencing acne or bad skin from hormone problems will also find flaxseed oil beneficial in helping to overcome these problems.
Flaxseed is also beneficial for weight management and as such may help to reduce obesity related diseases. By increasing your intake of flaxseed oil you are increasing your omega 3 essential fatty acid levels and thereby discouraging fat storage and encouraging your body to burn fat. Many women these days are concerned about their weight and the effects that excess weight can have on their health. By increasing your intake of flax seeds and flaxseed oil you will help to ensure that your weight stays at a healthy level.
All women should consider supplementing their diet with flaxseed oil due to the health benefits it provides in women's health such as balancing the estrogen and progesterone levels which are often implicated in women's illnesses such as breast cancer, pre-menstrual and menstrual symptoms as well as menopause. The essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil also offer benefits for women's health such as reducing the risk of getting osteoporosis as well as helping osteoporosis sufferers. The high lignan and omega 3 essential fatty acid levels in flaxseed oil are vital components of any women's health for physical and mental wellbeing.
Glossary:
Omega 3 essential fatty acids: fatty acids that are essential for physical and mental wellbeing but which cannot be produced by the body.