Beneficial
Flaxseed is an oil seed and contains 41% fat, 28% fiber and 21% protein.
With many people following a "low-fat" diet to avoid being overweight and doing their best to stay healthy, why is our nation still gaining so much weight? It's not too much fat in our diets (literally) killing us but too little of the "right" kinds of fat. Essential fatty acids, or EFA's, as found in flaxseeds, are required for our overall health, including proper fat metabolism, energy production, regulation of cell functions, and healing of tissues and injuries. Flaxseed, a "good" fat, can both help us stay fit and healthy, while unhealthy "bad" fats compromise our health and performance.
Other names for Flaxseed Oil are flaxseed, flax, linseed oil, linseed.
Why athletes use Flaxseed Oil
Active people report that flaxseed supplements help them recover more quickly after workouts and help decrease post-workout muscle soreness. Researchers believe this effect may be because flaxseed has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers also believe flaxseed oil may increase the body's metabolic rate and help the body burn fat more quickly. Many athletes report that using flaxseed oil in their diets helps their sprains and bruises heal more rapidly. According to some findings, minor injuries can take only one-quarter of the healing time previously required.
Ways that Flaxseed Oil can enhance Muscle Gain & Recovery:
Decrease inflammation to help decrease muscle soreness and improve flexibility
Improve healing and aid in recovery by contributing to the structural integrity of cells
Ways that Flaxseed Oil can enhance Fat Loss:
Support healthy weight reduction by increasing the body's metabolic rate, making fats burn more rapidly.
Potential uses for Flaxseed Oil
Research indicates that Flaxseed Oil may be useful in the treatment of:
Obesity
Arthritis
Constipation
Herpes
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis
Cancer
High-protein dieters take special note
Too much protein in our daily diet and what tends to happen? The unpleasantness of constipation occurs. Working in opposition of protein's tendency to constipate, flaxseed oil helps soften protein-hardened stool, allowing us to be more "regular." And it does so without adding "fattening" or bad fats to the diet.
Another study that is noteworthy shows free testosterone levels tend to drop drastically when "low-fat" diets or calorie-restricted diets are employed. Even a small decrease in dietary fats was revealed to have reduced the amount of free testosterone by 13%. However, with the introduction of healthy, "good" fats into the diet, researchers found subjects free testosterone levels increased. Clearly, supplementing with flaxseed oil during times of dieting would appear useful for those seeking to increase or at least preserve their lean mass.
In conclusion
While the research continues on, many sports nutrition experts are already highly recommending this powerful "good" fat. Because the research has already revealed flaxseed may support healthy hormone secretions, decrease muscle soreness, and fight both free radicals and inflammation, at the very least, it could supply your body with an extra aid for recovery and allow you to exercise more intensely — or just plain live a healthier life.
I am quite amazed what comes out from our very own earth. I have only just started taking flaxseed oil again. I can't beieve I stopped using it a few years ago.
The benefits are very impressive!
Anybody else using it? If so how much do you take daily?
