The most valuable natural products include flaxseed oil. In chemical composition, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Oil is used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, in the fight against cancer. Supports with hormonal problems such as depression, menopause, helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Let us consider in more detail the chemical composition and nutritional value of flaxseed oil, its main health benefits.
Description
Flax is one of the oldest cultivated plants. It has spread throughout the world from the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, where it has been cultivated for several thousand years. The first documented reports on the healing properties of flax date back to the time of the Greeks and Romans. Hippocrates in the fifth century BC used flax in the treatment of mucositis, with abdominal pain or diarrhea.
The product is produced in the process of pressing mature flax seeds at a low temperature (not higher than 50 ° C). Thanks to this, the beneficial chemical composition of linseed oil is fully preserved. It is yellowish in color with a characteristic smell and taste, sometimes called "nutty". This taste varies depending on the variety and maturity of the seeds, growing conditions, pressing method and storage conditions of the finished product.
The chemical composition of cold pressed linseed oil
The therapeutic properties of the product are the result of the bioactive compounds contained in it, such as lignans and essential unsaturated fatty acids. Lignans are one of the types of phytoestrogens - natural plant compounds that are similar in chemical structure and action to estrogens (female hormones). They can effectively mimic and replace human hormones, inhibit their excessive activity in the body, are also powerful antioxidants. Essential unsaturated fatty acids, also called vitamin F, are not synthesized in the human body but are ingested with food. There are two main unsaturated fatty acids. The first, as well as the most nutritious, is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It belongs to the omega-3 family. The second major unsaturated acid is linoleic acid (LA). It belongs to the omega-6 family. Omega-3 fatty acids include: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which the body can produce from linolenic acid. For infants and children, docosahexaenoic acid is the main fatty acid (it is part of breast milk). The omega-6 acid family includes gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA), which the body can produce from linoleic acid. The greatest biological activity are omega-3. The ratio of fatty acids of the omega-6 family to the omega-3 family is correct in proportion (<5: 1). And here you can come to a disturbing conclusion. A modern diet is not able to provide the body with the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The daily human need for them is 2 grams. Omega-6 acids are abundant in the diet. This leads to a violation of the immune mechanisms and an excessive tendency to inflammatory processes, therefore, to many ailments.
The sources of omega-3s are: flax and rapeseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, wheat germ. The sources of DHA and EPA are marine products (sea fish such as mackerel, salmon, halibut, cod, herring, sardine, seafood and fish oil). Therefore, there are not so many sources of omega-3.
The pioneer of omega-3 acid research was Dr. Johanna Buddwig, a German biochemist nominated for the Nobel Prize seven times. She managed her own clinic, in which she conducted research. In one of her experiments, all patients showed a lack of phosphatides and lipoproteins in the blood, including the absence of omega-3. In this situation, malignant cells develop very easily. Patients underwent a three-month therapy with the inclusion of the necessary nutrients in the diet. After this period, it was observed that the growth of malignant cells began to regress, and hemoglobin restored to the correct values. Dr. Buddwig began to look for a natural way to supplement the diet with the necessary phosphatides and lipoproteins. The result of this search is pasta, known worldwide, that is, a mixture of two natural ingredients: linseed oil and low-fat cottage cheese. For 10 years, Dr. Buddwig observed the health effects of a special diet that she developed herself, using it in the inpatient treatment of patients with chronic diseases. It turned out that it gives the desired effect even in cases recognized by academic medicine as incurable.
The composition of fatty acids in linseed oil:
- alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) - approximately 50%;
- linoleic acid (omega-6) - about 15%;
- oleic acid (omega-9) - about 17%;
- saturated fatty acids - about 10%.
This acid ratio is correct for maintaining a healthy body. For this reason, it is worth consuming a small amount of this product every day.
Flaxseed Oil: Vitamin Composition
This product is rich in vitamins A, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, D, F, E, K and PP, useful and necessary minerals - potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, phosphorus and sodium .
It also contains an impressive amount of vitamin E (17.5 mg per 100 g of product). Its beneficial properties for skin and hair are widely known. However, few people know that vitamin E significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and causes a decrease in blood cholesterol.
Studies over 8 years in the United States in a group of more than 120,000 healthy people have shown that increasing the dose of vitamin E in the diet reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 40%.
Flaxseed oil, the chemical composition of which can be compared in terms of the amount of vitamin A with its best sources - fish oil and liver, is widely used not only to improve health, but also in cosmetology. Choline (B4) located in the product helps to normalize a person’s mental state, enhances resistance to stress.
How to store flax oil
It should be kept refrigerated, preferably in the refrigerator, away from direct sunlight, under the influence of which omega-3s oxidize very quickly. The optimum temperature is from 4 to 10 ° C. The maximum storage period under such conditions is 3 months. Why should the product be consumed only cold? The composition of cold-pressed linseed oil changes when heated, as it loses valuable omega-3 acids. It can not be subjected to heat treatment, i.e., heat, boil, use for frying, since it has a very low heat resistance, oxidizes, loses its valuable properties and even becomes toxic.
In what form is it worth eating
It is recommended to consume:
- combining with cottage cheese, natural yogurt;
- as an addition to salads and cereals;
- as an addition to cold dishes;
- drink, starting with a teaspoon, on an empty stomach.
Adult Dosage
Sick people should take a larger amount of this useful product - 6-8 tablespoons, drink on an empty stomach.
Drinking it directly from a spoon can be unpleasant for many. Therefore, below is a useful recipe with it:
12.5 g of dry cottage cheese or goat cheese, mix tofu with 8 tablespoons of flax oil. Add a few tablespoons of natural yogurt, buttermilk or kefir (the most low-fat, preferably 0% fat) to obtain the desired consistency. Instead of yogurt, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of cool water.
The ingredients should be mixed in a blender for about 3-5 minutes, until a homogeneous mass is formed. The paste should have the consistency of mayonnaise or liquid cream. It all depends on the amount of added yogurt. Ready paste can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Treatment can last up to several weeks. Then reduce the amount to 1-2 tablespoons per day.
It is prophylactically recommended to drink 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily on an empty stomach.
Oil dosing for children
When taking oil in children, there is no difference between sick and healthy. Everyone should receive the same amount of product. The only difference is the age of the child. Those under 7 years old should get 1 g of flaxseed oil for every kilogram of body weight. Children over 7 years old should receive 0.6 g of flaxseed oil per kilogram of body weight. This difference is due to the fact that older children have less need for omega acids. In one tablespoon an average of about 10 g of flaxseed oil.
Useful action
Vitamins and essential fatty acids in linseed oil help in the treatment of:
- cancer
- prostate disorders;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- multiple sclerosis;
- rheumatic diseases;
- allergies
- circulatory system disorders (atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias)
- diseases of the elderly;
- visual and hearing defects;
- memory problems (activation of the brain);
- any dermatological problems;
- digestive problems: hepatosis, gallbladder disease, stomach ulcers
- diabetes.
Side effects and contraindications
In practice, there is no danger of overdosing with this product. Excess oil that is not absorbed by the intestines will cause a laxative effect in the body.
A small number of people, when consumed, can undergo allergic reactions with symptoms such as rash, hives, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, and others. They should avoid this product in their diet.
Flaxseed oil can interact with drugs - it can slow down the rate of absorption. Before deciding whether to introduce it into the diet, it is usually recommended to consult a doctor, especially in the case of more serious diseases.
The impressive chemical composition of flaxseed oil gives the right to call it a real elixir of health, beauty and longevity. We hope that after reading this article you will introduce this product forever in your diet.