Super Fitness Health BlogFinding the Right Balance of Flaxseed Oil for Your Diet
For more than 7000 years flaxseed oil has been produced for its beneficial uses to mankind. This oil has been used to help preserve wood and help preserve your health and the way it is processed usually tells you how it will be used. Known as linseed soil, it produces polymers which are very efficient when it comes to protecting wood from the damages of age and moisture. However, this use has fallen out of favor because synthetic oils produce the same effect by do not have a yellowing effect over time. Flaxseed oil has become known as a source of omega-3 fatty acids most recently. Many people, vegetarians especially will use this in lieu of fish oil because of the high level of a-Linolenic acid which is a form of an Omega-3 fatty acid.
Flaxseed oil benefits have been called into question because of the poor ability of the body to convert alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) into the more useful compounds eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which have been shown to help reduce overall body inflammations, prevent certain chronic diseases and lower the presence of heart disease. ALA from flaxseed has not been shown to be as effective as fish oil but for many it is a viable alternative to taking other forms of this supplement.
Since it comes from a plant vegans and vegetarians alike are able to use it as supplementary source of essential fatty acids. Another belief is that since alpha-Linolenic acid is the parent to EPA and DHA that the body is better able to take what it needs rather than being saturated with an already refined form of the fatty acids. Flaxseed oil has also been show to show a ratio of 3 omega-3 : 6 omega-6 fatty acids which is considered the perfect ratio for these nutrients in the body. A strong case can be made for flaxseed oil benefits since they contain no heavy metal contaminants and still have nearly twice the omega-3 as animal based fatty acids. Flaxseed is also thought to be more sustainable since it can be grown in a wide variety of climates. Ligans are a powerful antioxidant that is contained in flaxseed and this is another reason for the rise in popularity of this supplement.
Flaxseed oil benefits continue with the ability to increase your metabolism and using ground flaxseed can provide a large source of fiber for your body helping to regulate digestion and promote a fuller feeling sooner and longer. However, the ability to lower bad cholesterol in the body and reducing circulatory conditions are other benefits as well. There are also claims of anti-inflammatory benefits for those who suffer form joint and muscle diseases and for the prevention of these afflictions.
The flaxseed oil benefits are unquestioned as are the benefits of the essential fatty acids that help to protect the body and its processes. Keeping your body at a level of optimum performance is what proponents of flaxseed oil want you to believe, and it is up to you to decide what nutritional supplements will do the best job for you and your particular situation.
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