Flaxseed Oil and Cholesterol

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.

The Success In Using Flaxseed Oil to Treat Dry Eyes

People who suffer from dry eyes should benefit from the results of a new research study. This study has indicated that there is a high success rate related to the treatment of dry eyes with the use of flaxseed oil.

Researchers on the study have stated that many patients who suffer from dry eyes and have been treated with flaxseed oil have seen a great improvement in their symptoms. The typical effects of dry eyes such as stinging and burning were gone after a few weeks. As the treatment was continued, the results lasted as long. The patients who participated in the study and were treated with of flaxseed oil also noted that they were alleviated from other symptoms such as flaky elbows, itchy backs, dry feet and legs.

Flaxseed oil is a very potent supplement. It is made up of 57% alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3. 15% linoleic acid which is an omega-6, 18% oleic acid which is an omega-9. From those numbers it is safe to say that flaxseed oil is very potent. It has almost twice as much omega-3 fatty acids in comparison to fish oil. The linoleic acids and alpha-linolenic contained in the oil are also very important to the overall health of our body. Our system does not make these particular fatty acids, however they are needed for the proper functioning.

Flaxseed oil is also very good in that it is able to lower triglycerides by making the platelets less likely to stick together. It is also good at letting nails and hair grow more quickly.

The Study

The study conducted used over 200 patients while ranging in different ages. At the start of the trial all the patients in the trial were given 2,000 mg of flaxseed oil every morning.

The patients who participated in the study were checked after the first two months. After that it was done yearly for 3 more years. The patients in the study were all checked to see if there were any changes in the dryness of the eyes and the quality and quantity of the secretions from the meibomian gland. The symptoms were also monitored and these included dry skin, redness, stinging and burning.

There was a small number of patients who participated in the study did not see any benefits from the therapy. This was a result of the type of medications that they used.

Flaxseed oil has also been shown to assist patients who are currently using drugs to lower their cholesterol. Aside from reducing the dryness of their eyes, they can also control their cholesterol.

In the end the study showed that the use of flaxseed oil was beneficial to the groups of people who suffered from dry eyes. It was also helpful in treating a host of other symptoms.

Flaxseed oil can be taken by itself or had in a capsule form. The oil has a slight buttery taste and it can be added to salads, water, drinks and other food.

Flaxseed Oil To Lower Blood Pressure

high-blood-pressureFlaxseed oil is a natural health supplement that has many different beneficial properties. This oil that is full of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), has recently been shown to effectively lower blood pressure.

Flaxseed Oil for Lowering Blood Pressure

People who take flaxseed oil as a regular part of their diet have claimed to experience blood pressure lowering effects. This seems to be replicated in people all over who take the product. The results have led some people to lower the amount of medication they take to control their blood pressure.

The use of taking flaxseed oil gel tablets are a very quick and easy way to lower blood pressure. The amount of omega-3 fatty acids that are contained in flaxseed oil capsules are almost double what can be found in their fish oil counterpart.

If individuals are taking medication to control their blood pressure, then they should consult with their doctor before trying flaxseed oil. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that flaxseed oil can lower blood pressure.

Study: Flaxseed Oil and Low Blood Pressure

 

This research study that was conducted showed that people who were on a diet that included flaxseed oil saw their blood pressure fall by 6%. The results of this was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the study was conducted by the Laiko Hospital and Harokopio University which is located in Athens, Greece.

For the study, a test group that consisted of 59 men who were in the 50’s and high concentrations of blood-lipids were used. This group of men was then divided into two separate groups and given two seperately different diets

The first group that was studied diet also contained an amount of flaxseed oil. They were given about 8 grams a day of this product.

The second group had a diet that consisted of safflower oil, which was rich in linoleic acid and omega-6.

The researchers were able to note that the men who were on the diet that contained safflower oil did not see a decrease in their blood pressure.

 Researchers did however note based on their results that an increase in the amount of ALA taken can cause significant reduction in diastolic and systolic blood pressure. This can range from 6%.

According to researchers, the group of men prescribed the omega-6, linoleic acid-fortified diet experienced no significant decrease in blood pressure.

The lead researcher in the study pointed out that there was no conclusive evidence that can explain why ALA’s are so effective at reducing blood pressure.

The researchers went on to state that the volunteers were given a specific amount of flaxseed oil per day. This amount, 8 grams, did not occur naturally in the foods people eat everyday.

Flaxseed Oil and Eczema

eczemaFlaxseed oil has many different benefits and it is known to be able to treat a wide range of health problems in humans. One health problem that flaxseed oil can help is eczema.

Eczema is a commonly used term that best described a host of skin conditions. The most common condition out of the lot is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis usually shows itself as a rash all across the body, which is usually itchy, red and dry. This type of eczema can either be chronic or acute and the effects of the condition could be as a result of outside problems.

With the skin condition eczema, there is no cure; however there are many different treatments that are available. These treatments could be the reduction of stress or other outside factors that contribute to the condition. There is also the ability to use products such as flaxseed oil to treat the eczema.
Flaxseed Oil for the Treatment of Eczema

Flaxseed oil is used as an effective and natural treatment for eczema. The oil itself is full of Omega-3 and Omegaa-6 fatty acids that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. The flaxseed oil can be rubbed on the skin or taken internally in its natural form or in capsules. Some people enjoy the taste of the oil and as a result they will sprinkle it over salads and fruit. For those who cannot stand the taste, they will take capsules containing the oil.

When it comes to the treatment of eczema, taking flaxseed oil will have good results. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which can assist in moisturizing and hydrating the skin. Keeping the skin hydrated is very important when it comes to keep eczema under control. The production of prostaglandins is another benefit of taking this oil. Prostaglandins help the body to heal better and it also reduces inflammation. Flaxseed oil can also be applied to affected eczema skin; this can help to soothe it if it itches.