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Benefits of Flax Seed Oil And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Nov 15, 2024

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The health benefits of flaxseed oil helps in aiding in weight loss, relieving constipation and diarrhea. It helps to fight cancer, remove cellulite and eczema. It also promotes in boosting heart health, and treating Sjogren’s syndrome.

Flax Seed Oil

Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil or flax oil, is a colourless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). Linseed oil is a triglyceride. This oil is distinguisable from the other oils as it contains extremely large amount of α-linolenic acid, which has a distinctive reaction with oxygen in air.

Nutritional Value of Flax Seed Oil

Flaxseed oil contains ALA, which the body converts into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the omega-3 fatty acid.Flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that the body is unable to produce but are necessary to human health. It is very essential to get the right balance of PUFAs in the body since omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation while many omega-6 fatty acids contribute to inflammation.Any imbalance will cause severe problems in the body.

Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams

884
Calories
100 g
Total Fat
0.1 g
Protein

Health Benefits of Flax Seed Oil

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Flax Seed Oil

Aids in Weight Loss

Flaxseed is rich in healthy and dietary fats. It helps to develop the muscle mass, that helps in burning more calories that fat. The high fiber content aids healthy digestion, and thus, supplements weight loss.

Controls Cholesterol Levels

Flaxseed oil has the highest content of omega-3s fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acid helps to shred off the bad form of cholesterol (LDL) and enhances goog cholesterol. It helps to balance the cholesterol in our body.

Cancer Prevention

Flaxseed oil benefits include helping prevent the growth of breast tumors, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Flaxseed oil reduces cancer cell multiplication and enhances apoptosis, that is cell death of cancer cells. Flaxseeds contain Lignans, which provide protection against cancers that are sensitive to hormones. Lignans also block the enzymes that function in hormone metabolism and inhibits the growth of the tumor cells.

Prevents Arthritis

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil may help in reducing the stiffness of bones and other body parts. Osteoarthritic patients may also respond to these essential fatty acids. It has been proved that these fatty acids help in easing stiffness in the joints.It also speeds up the pace at which patients with osteoarthritis can walk.

Colon Health

The high fiber content of flaxseed help in easy digestion. Lignans and omega-3s prevent the multiplication and spread of cancer cells, especially in colon cancer. The AHA content in the flaxseed oil may be beneficial for the treatment of the colon disorders.

Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

Food enriched in alpha-linolenic acid like flaxseed oil may help prevent and treat heart diseases. ALA also functions as cardioprotective i.e., they prevent various cardiovascular diseases and enhance the functioning of a healthy cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of flaxseed oil reduces the chances of heart attacks. It lowers blood pressure, maintains the level of total cholesterol in the body, promotes blood vessels health and regulates heartbeat.

Maintains Hormonal Balance

The lignans ,secoisolariciresinol, matairecinol, and pinoresinol, present abundantly in flaxseed oil, have a marvellous impact on the hormonal balance of the body. These help in many post-menopausal women function better and struggle less with the fluctuations of estrogen in their bodies.

Prevent Dry Eyes Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome causes the outer layers of our eyes lack the required lubrication. This makes the eye sting and burn, more impacting on exposure to sun. A person suffering from dry eyes can consume flaxseed oil to reduce the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.It can also prevent more serious forms of this condition, such as Sjogren’s syndrome.

Helps In Constipation

One of the main uses for flaxseed oil is to relieve the constipation pain. By acting as a lubricant to the colon, flaxseed oil promotes easy and natural bowel movement.With their high fiber content, the oil promotes healthy digestion and gives relief from uneasiness caused due to constipation. Flaxseed oil is good for colon health and aids in the reduction of hard stools. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, manganese, copper, phosphorous, and vitamin B6.

Uses of Flax Seed Oil

Flaxseed oil is highly beneficial in relieving inflammation,improving hair conditions, removing cellulite and reducing eczema thus improving skin health

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Flax Seed Oil

If detected with macular degeneration or prostate cancer,use of flaxseed oil rich in ALA may increase the risks of both of these issues. Pregnant women should also avoid flaxseed oil since it may increase the risk of premature birth.

Cultivation of Flax Seed Oil

Flexseed oil is processed by pressing ,sometimes followed by solvent extraction. It is a drying oil,that is it can polymerize into a solid form. It can be used on its own or blended with combinations of other oils, resins or solvents as an impregnator, drying oil finish or varnish in wood finishing, as a pigment binder in oil paints, as a plasticizer and hardener in putty, and in the manufacture of linoleum.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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