Does Flax Seed Oil Lower Cholesterol? Many people are confused about the answer to the above asked question. The answer is simple, yes flax seed oil does help to lower your cholesterol. The reason is multifold but it boils down to the simple answer that flax seed oil is very healthy.
Flax seed oil contains many different beneficial nutrients that is able to lower your blood cholesterol levels. The oil contains a substance called alpha linolenic acids. This acid is an omega 3 fatty acid, the same that can be found in fish oil. This Omega 3 fatty acid may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).
The flax seed oil is also rich in another substance called alpha linolenic acid which aids in the fight against cholesterol. The oil also provides fiber and lingams. Lignans that are contained in the oil is a natural defense against high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The fiber is known to lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Eat Your Flax Seeds for Lower Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is often known as the “bad cholesterol” and this is known to cause a wide range of cardiovascular problems. That is why it is very important for you to keep the LDL levels of the body low. Flax seed oil is able to help lower cholesterol because it is high in fiber and Omega 3. Taking the oil everyday can lower the harmful levels of LDL cholesterol, while at the same time maintaining or increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol “good cholesterol”. HDL cholesterol is known as the “good cholesterol” because its high-density structure does not block arteries that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. In addition, HDL cholesterol can actually help clear the blood of other artery-clogging materials
Studies of Flax Seed Oil & Cholesterol
There have been studies that have been conducted to show the link between flax seed oil and cholesterol. It has been noted that flax seed helps to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. There are also other studies to show that omega 3 fatty acids may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. The acid may also stop the platelets from becoming sticky and this can lower the chance of a heart attack.
Another study of flax seed oil on cholesterol was conducted by Bahram Arjmandi, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University. It was shown that the oil was able to lower cholesterol by 6 percent.
Generally these studies show that there is a relationship between flax seed oil lowering cholesterol. With that said, there still needs to be more studies done to have a final say on if the flax seed oil is effective at reducing cholesterol.