Monday

Flaxseed meal - 2 Tbl a day!

Flaxseed is the seed of a plant call flax (or Linseed). Flaxseed had been use for used to produce flaxseed oil. However, until recent years, no one knows the real benefit of the flaxseed. Recent study shown flaxseed meal may be one of the most powerful natural cholesterol controllers. It also contains high volume of fiber and omega -3 fats.

A serving size of 2 teaspoon contain 4 gram of fiber. 4 gram of fiber equals to 15% of suggested daily value of fiber intake. About 66% of flaxseed‘s fiber is insoluble. Insoluble fiber can help you digest better and create bulks that help prevent constipation. If you take flaxseed regularly, you might reduce your risk of colon cancer. The other 33% are soluble fiber that can lower your cholesterol and control your blood sugar level

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are same as the omega-3 fatty acids that can found in fish like salmon or tuna. Omega 3 oil is good fat that can help prevent heart disease and lower your cholesterol. It also slightly lower your blood pressure. It can also serve as a anti-inflammatory agent. It can help reduce joint pain and reduce inflammation. One reason why the omega 3 fatty acids found in flaxseed is better than those found in fish is that fish oil might lead to heavy metal poisoning.

While the cancer-inhibiting effects of flaxseed have not been thoroughly studied in people, some practitioners of alternative medicine are already recommending the herb as a potential anticancer agent. Prominent herbalists maintain that the lignans found in flaxseed may help to control cancer of the breast or uterus. Some also recommend the herb for the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

The other nutrition that can be found in flaxseed includes calcium, protein, B vitamins, beta-carotene, manganese, vitamin E, and zinc. Flaxseed is low in carbs, two teaspoon will brings you 4 g, which is less than 1% of daily value. Flaxseed might help in cure cancer, weight lost and diabetes.

Most of the flaxseed meal sold in the market is already grounded. However, it is better to buy whole flaxseed and ground it right before you need. You body cannot digest ungrounded flaxseed so it is necessary to break it down. You can easily ground flaxseed with Coffee Grinder or blender. Grounded flaxseed might lose its nutrition and anti-oxidants during storage. If you have to buy grounded flaxseed meal, remember to put it in the refrigerator after open to reserve freshness.

Flaxseed has a nutty flavor so it can easily used in many different recipe. You can simply add it in cold or hot cereal, pancakes and waffles. You can even put it in your ice cream, yogurt or protein shake without changing the taste. You can even sprinkle it on your salad or add it to your soup. Since it is grounded, it is almost invisible to children. Since flaxseed is so easy to use in everyday meal, there is no excuse for not add this healthy food into you diet.

1 comment:

TJ said...

Great idea's. I need to remember to take my seeds.