Flaxseed oil is a colorless or yellowish oily liquid obtained from ripened and dried flax seeds. It is in demand for food intake, as it has a high level of omega-3 fatty acids and many other substances necessary for humans. Many doubts arise for those who want to start taking linseed oil. The beneficial properties, benefits and harms that you can hear about are so contradictory that sorting them out is a little difficult. Looking ahead, you should immediately say that you need to use this product with great care, so as not to harm your health. Before starting such treatment, there should always be a consultation with a specialist.
What is linseed oil
Oil is obtained by pressing dried flax seeds. It has a number of areas of application, from furniture to oil painting. It is added to paint, ink, varnishes and resins, since such manipulations contribute to the quick drying of oil-treated surfaces. Processing of wood with linseed oil gives it a more finished well-groomed appearance, provides a rich, glowing finish. There are many other options for using this substance, so you can use far from any flaxseed oil as a dietary supplement or for treatment.
Distinguish between raw (cold pressed) and boiled (hot pressed) oil. The first is most often used as a nutritional supplement, since in its raw form all nutritional values remain in it. It has a pale golden color and does not have a smell and taste. The situation is completely different with hot-pressed oil, or drying oil. Processed thermally, it has a darker color and a characteristic pungent odor, it is unsafe to eat it, it can greatly harm health.
Oil properties
Flaxseed oil is a popular remedy used both for food and for treatment. It contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining human health and preventing many diseases. Fatty sea fish have similar properties, but, unfortunately, not all eat it, and the necessary number of microelements can be replenished by eating unrefined cold-pressed linseed oil .
Flaxseed oil is recommended for women not only to treat certain diseases, but also to improve well-being, skin condition, hair nails and more. It consists of lignans, which are still considered plant estrogen. The therapeutic effect of linseed oil on the body consists in establishing a hormonal balance , preventing the metastasis of tumors associated with estrogen, improving conditions for various symptoms of inflammatory diseases, and more.
The benefits of flaxseed oil for the female body
The benefits of flaxseed oil for women are obvious. Since women after menopause are prone to the development of many different diseases, it is imperative for them to eat this valuable product. It can be added to salads, side dishes, taken in its pure form or in the form of medications, such as capsules. If a woman older than 30 years makes it a rule to eat linseed oil daily, then she will be able to prevent various diseases of a hormonal nature, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, improve skin condition and complexion.
Use of oil for female diseases
Essential fatty acids for the body, which are found in large quantities in linseed oil, help minimize the risk of breast cancer in women. In addition, it is often used to treat female diseases of the genital area, premenstrual syndrome, endometrial and endometriosis hyperplasia, ovarian cysts, menstrual pain, symptoms of premenopause, female infertility. If a woman starts taking this remedy, then in a month she will notice the normalization of the menstrual cycle, the improvement of uterine function. There will be a balance in the level of progesterone in the body. In addition, headaches, mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety and so on disappear.
The benefits of flaxseed oil for women is to prevent the production of prostaglandins. They can cause severe menstrual bleeding if they are released into the body in excess. Phytoestrogens contained in flax seed oil are involved in stabilizing estrogen and progesterone levels, which, in turn, has a beneficial effect on hot flashes during menopause. Healing substance is also an excellent nutritional supplement for women who suffer from osteoporosis. Omega-3 fatty acids can improve the absorption of calcium by the body and thus reduce the risk of deficiency.
Using Flaxseed Oil For Weight Loss
Many women use linseed oil for weight loss. Reviews about the benefits, how to use it for medicinal purposes and other information can often be heard from friends, but it is best to seek advice from a dietitian. He will talk about the benefits of losing weight in this way, and warn against negative aspects. The benefits of flaxseed oil for weight loss are quite large. Nutritionists often recommend that their patients use it as a dietary supplement to combat overweight. In addition, if you replace saturated fats and trans fats with a healing substance, you can get additional health benefits. However, if you decide to use linseed oil for weight loss, the use, benefits, contraindications and dosage should be agreed with the doctor in advance.
An oil saturated with fatty acids will provide the necessary energy, vitamins and minerals, and will reduce the risk of developing high cholesterol and heart disease. The benefits of flaxseed oil for weight loss is to effectively help women achieve their desired results. A small amount per day is enough so that a person can safely control the amount of calories consumed and digest the food eaten without depositing “reserves” on the sides. Women who have reduced daily calorie intake to 1,200 units should consume up to 4 teaspoons of oil per day.
Harm from using linseed oil
Of course, there is some harm to the body from the use of this substance. Especially obvious are the harm and benefits of flaxseed oil on an empty stomach. It contains soluble fibers that can cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating and flatulence. If flaxseed is taken without a sufficient amount of fluid, constipation or intestinal obstruction may occur. Therefore, the treatment should assess the harm and benefits of flaxseed oil on an empty stomach, as well as make adjustments to the dosage.
In no case should you use immature seeds for treatment, as they can be poisonous and cause intoxication of the body. When using any medicine with flaxseed or oil, the latter can block the normal absorption of drugs, affect the effectiveness of painkillers, anti-inflammatory, hormonal drugs. Therefore, it is safe to say that if you want to use linseed oil, the benefits and properties, the use and treatment of diseases should be discussed in detail with your doctor.
How to use linseed oil
As already mentioned, linseed oil is of great importance in the treatment of numerous diseases. But in order for treatment with such a tool to be beneficial, you should know how to use the substance, in what quantities it can harm the body and how it affects various organs.
Flaxseed oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, whose chemicals can reduce inflammatory processes. That is why it is actively used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, edema and other inflammatory diseases. In addition, women use oil during menopause and for the prevention of female diseases. For these purposes, four tablespoons per day will be enough, the course of treatment is from 6 to 15 months.
For skin diseases, as well as to improve the condition of the skin and nails, lotions and masks with the addition of linseed oil should be done. A few drops are added to a regular hand or face cream, and the product is rubbed into the skin and nails with gentle massaging movements. After a month of regular use, you can notice the first positive results and see for yourself how great the benefits of flaxseed oil for women are. Therapeutic procedures are recommended to be performed daily in the evenings, after cleansing the skin.
Cooked Flaxseed Oil
If you are unpleasant to drink oil with spoons, you can add it to products. For example, cottage cheese with linseed oil and dried fruits is considered tasty and healthy. To prepare a portion of such a treat, 250 grams of cottage cheese, 1-2 tablespoons of nonfat sour cream, 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed oil and a handful of any dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes, etc.) should be mixed in a blender. Beat everything until smooth and eat. By the way, such a dish can be eaten for breakfast or afternoon snack instead of the main dish.
Flaxseed oil is added to vegetable salads, seasoned with side dishes, fish or meat. Fats bind to proteins and allow them to be more easily absorbed by the body.
Contraindications to the use of oil
The benefits of flaxseed oil for women are undoubtedly quite large. However, there is a category of people who for one reason or another are forbidden to use this tool for treatment. These include:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- children
- people with bowel disorder;
- people prone to allergic reactions;
- people with clotting problems.
How to store oil
Like all oily liquids, flaxseed oil should be stored in the refrigerator so that its quality does not change and a rancid aroma does not appear. Before use, shake the bottle with oil, and then pour the required amount into a spoon. The remaining liquid should be well closed with a lid and put in the refrigerator until the next intake.