Flaxseed Oil—From Cancer to Skin Conditions, Why This Oil is So Incredible
Are you familiar with flaxseed oil? It’s becoming more popular but many people are still not exactly sure why it’s so healthy and good for us. Basically, flaxseed oil is one of the world’s best sources of essential fatty acids, or EFAs. The oil contains an average of 50 to 60 percent of the omega-3 EFA, also known as linolenic acid, and about 20 percent of the omega-6 EFA, also called linoleic acid. Flaxseed oil is actually the richest source of omega-3 in the world.
The reason this is so important is because nutritionists estimate that around 60 percent of us are extremely deficient in the omega-3 EFAs. Because EFAs must come from our diets (our bodies are unable to make them on their own), and because many of the foods we eat have had the EFAs removed through processing, we could all use a nutritional boost from an EFA-rich oil like flaxseed.
A huge variety of studies have found that flaxseed oil can positively impact our health in a wide variety of ways. For example, the omega-3 EFA has been linked to many health functions, from regulating blood thickness and pressure, to reducing inflammation, and the activity of our central nervous systems.
Interestingly, some researchers also now believe that a deficiency in omega-3 is connected to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and in studies children with this disorder have often responded positively through omega-3 supplementation.
Flaxseed oil has also been used to help treat cancer patients. Dr. Johanna Budwig, a biochemist from Germany who was working with often terminally ill cancer patients, noticed that people with this deadly disease tended to have extremely low blood levels of omega-3 EFAs. She began giving her patients a combination of flaxseed oil combined with a sulfurated protein (the protein helps the flaxseed oil assimilate fully into the body), with amazing results. Quite rapidly, even the sickest patients began to improve, even some who were considered to be terminally ill. Additional research has found that flaxseed oil may be especially effective at treating breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!