Flaxseed Oil
About Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed and the oil made out of it is all the rage among those who are trying to eat healthily. But how useful are they, and how are you supposed to incorporate flaxseed oil into your diet? Various sources claim endless benefits of them. Some of them even sound too good to be true.
Have you heard of linseed oil, which claims to have almost the same benefits as flaxseed oil? If so, that’s absolutely fine, as it is just another name for flaxseed oil. These days you will find flaxseed in lots of different forms. You might find it as plain seed oils and seed extracts. But the most widely used product among these is flaxseed oil. It is a powerhouse of a variety of different nutrients that are essential for the proper functioning and health of your body. But before you shop for them, knowing a bit more about them will help you. This article will tell you about the many benefits of flaxseed oil and how you can use it.
A guide to flaxseed oil for your body
Flaxseed oil is nothing new among us. Humans have used it for thousands of years. Probably more than that. But recent scientific findings have put them in the limelight. Studies have shown promising evidence for the benefits of this oil. Surprisingly, flaxseed oil also has uses in the manufacturing industry. But this article focuses on the nutritional side of it. Apart from the clearly proven benefits of this oil, there are many more studies being done to find out the ones that we do not know yet. Probably, one thing that makes it so popular is its incredible versatility. Read on to find out more about it.
Benefits of flaxseed oil
Studies that report the benefits of flaxseed oil are numerous. Both are taking the oil by mouth, and applying it to the skin can ease several diseases. This oil is a lifesaver for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. It can ease the pain and stiffness in the hands of those who have to wear CTS splints when they sleep. Flaxseed oil can also provide relief to foot ulcers in diabetic patients. Apart from these, flaxseeds are also believed to improve heart conditions. The linolenic acid in the oil can prevent the arteries from hardening. When combined with isolated soy protein, this oil is also a cure for minor burns. Some also use flaxseed oil as hair masks.
Side effects of flaxseed oil
There are no major side effects associated with the consumption of flaxseed oil. For most healthy adults, it is perfectly safe to take this oil in moderate quantities. In some people, though, dosages of more than 30 grams per day can induce diarrhoea and loose stools. But that’s not the case with pregnant women. Taking the oil by mouth during the second or third trimester of pregnancy is not safe as it can result in premature birth. Although there are other researches that suggest there is no harm in taking it during pregnancy, it is better to be on the safer side.
The recommended dosage
There is no one right way to take flaxseed oil. Because it is an oil, there are a lot of different ways that you can use it. People sometimes use them as dressings on salads and sauces instead of olive oil. You can also use them mixed with fruit smoothies and shakes. The recommended serving size for flaxseed oil is 15 ml when taken by mouth. Also, they cannot withstand high temperatures and therefore cannot be used as a replacement for cooking oil. But when it comes to applying them topically on skin or hair, there are no such restrictions. You can be as generous as you want with it.
Oil vs seed
So, this is a genuine concern. Because this oil is the extract of the flaxseed, why don’t we just eat the real seeds themselves? Well, it is true that eating flaxseed is of great health & beauty benefits. Moreover, people do eat it as a part of maintaining a balanced diet. But the purpose of using linseed oil is more specific. Apart from having it as part of their diet routine, people also use this oil to treat some specific diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome and burns. Therefore, both of these have their own purpose. And it is a good thing if you can include both in your diet occasionally.
Tips on how to buy Flaxseed Oil Supplements
There are quite a few varieties of flaxseed oil on the market. The first step is to choose which type of it is right for you. But there are things to know beyond that. In fact, finding the right supplement is easier said than done. That being said, it will be easier to figure out the right one if you know what factors to consider in these supplements. Here are a few tips that you can follow while you are shopping for supplements online.
- Look for the method of extraction – Like every other oil out there; people use different methods to extract oil from flaxseed. It can be by heating the seed at high temperatures or by crushing the seed, etc. Out of these, the oil extracted by crushing the flax seed is the best. This type of oil is called cold-pressed flaxseed oil.
- Check for the type of seed used – You also have to make sure that the seed used for making the oil comes from a healthy and unadulterated source. Look for oils made from non-genetically modified seeds as they are not proven to be safe for human consumption.
- Look for the Omega-3 fatty acid content – One of the most vital factors in linseed oil is the omega-3 content in them. If you are buying the oil not to use on the skin, look for the variety that has the maximum omega-3 per cent.
- Select the packaging – The shelf life of the oil can depend on the quality of the packaging to a great extent. If exposed to heat and light for a long period of time, it can undergo degradation. Therefore, look for opaque, airtight bottles. Also, check if the oil was processed and packaged in a low oxygen environment. If it is, that’s another green flag.
Finally, there are other alternatives to using oil as it is. Flaxseed oil capsules are a good alternative. Because the oil inside the capsules is less likely to come in contact with air, they can last longer than a typical linseed oil you buy in the bottle. But that also means you are taking away the versatility of the oil. Your only option to consume a linseed oil tablet is to take it to swallow it with water. Finally, don’t forget to check out all the other types of food supplements from Shops.ae.
Question & Answer
Is flaxseed oil better than fish oil?
In fact, there are benefits for both of them that the other does not have. At the same time, fish oil contains omega-3 acids like EPA and DHA, which can relieve arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. It can also lower the levels of triglyceride, the substance that clogs up arteries, in the blood. On the other hand, flaxseed oil serves a different purpose. The type of omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed oil, alpha-linolenic acid, is different from fish oil. People who cannot absorb DHA or EPA can use flaxseed oil instead of fish oil. Also, you cannot apply fish oil topically on the skin to get relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Does flaxseed oil increase estrogen?
Estrogen is a necessary hormone that helps growth. In females, the level of estrogen in the blood regulates the menstrual cycle. Regardless of how important it is, more than normal levels of estrogen in the blood can cause numerous health problems, including cancer. The concern regarding flaxseed oil is the presence of lignans that acts and works similar to estrogen. But there is good news. Researches show that there is no direct linkage between the level of estrogen in the blood and flaxseed oil in the diet. And even if there is, it is very minimal to have any real effects.
Can flaxseed oil help prevent heart diseases?
Yes, there are enough reasons to conclude that taking the oil by mouth can improve heart health. One of the biggest reasons is that it is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have proven benefits in reducing heart attacks. This nutrient can prevent the formation of blockages in arteries and prevents strokes as well. One study suggests that taking flaxseed oil in small quantities for three months can provide significant relief to people with high blood pressure. By improving the elasticity of arterial walls, flaxseed oil can reverse the damage due to ageing and high blood pressure.
If you are looking to buy flaxseed oil online in Dubai, look no further. Find the best flaxseed oil supplements using the product search engine on Shops.ae. You will find an extensive collection of linseed oil and other food supplements here. You can also compare the products and sort them to buy the cheapest flaxseed oil among them. There are more than 500 shops and brands on Shops.ae offering linseed oil supplements. These include notable brands like Nature’s Bounty, Spring Valley, Nature Made, Natrol, and Swanson.