Being natural substances, antioxidants are derived from various plants, including vegetables and fruits. Blueberries and cranberries are most often the fruits that are often touted by nutrition scientists as the ultimate antioxidant rich foods. In the vegetable variety, russet potatoes, red beans, and red cabbage culminate the chart as well. However, there are also other fruits and vegetables that may contain more essential uses to our health. One such food product is flax seed where we get the valuable flaxseed oil.

What is Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseed Oil is also known as Linseed Oil. The oil is procured from the seeds of the flax plant. Typically, linseed oil is the yellowish drying oil that is extracted and used as a carrier in oil paint and also as a wood finish. When the flax seed is cold pressed without the extraction, it is called flaxseed oil and is used as a nutritional supplement. More information than you need to know? Maybe, but I thought it was interesting that a lowly plant seed could be used for both furniture finish AND the next best nutritional supplement since the multi-vitamin.

Flaxseed oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are valuable in a whole host of ways - heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis to name a few. Omega 3 fatty acids are most often associated with fish oils but flaxseed oil furnishes a good alternative source of the Omega 3's for the vegetarian that prefers plant based supplements.

Lignan is a chemical compound produced in plants that is a potent antioxidant. Flaxseed oil contains one of the highest concentration of lignan known. Why is that important? Studies have shown populations that ingest a high amount of lignans have a lower occurrence of cancer. Lignans are antioxidant molecules with anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. These plant hormones are also believed to block the production of hormone-based tumors.

Did you know?

Black beans have a high amount of antioxidants. They actually have 10 times more than oranges!

Antioxidants have proven to have extensive health uses and anti-aging properties. As an antioxidant, the flaxseed oil's lignans can help increase the body's immune system, keeping harmful, disease-causing germs from damaging the cells. Lignans also increase the production of a substance attached to estrogen and carries it out of the body which also makes it helpful in relieving PMS symptoms.

Other uses of flaxseed oil include helping to shelter the body against inflammations, high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides and advances the absorption of calcium.

As you can see, flaxseed oil is a nutritional supplement that should not be overlooked. Easy to take and less expensive than the extensive supplements touted today.