Health Benefits of Flax Seeds and Flaxseed Oil

Gallbladder

Posted by Kelly (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/25/2009
★★★★★

a good remedy for gall bladder pain is to take 1 TBSP of flax seed with 2 1/2 cups of water and boil for 5min. pour off flax seed oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids, life fish) and drink. I put some cinnamon and truvia (plant based sweetner) to taste and sip till gone. It really helped. alot of websites tell you to grind flax seed, but if you don't have a grinder, just take what you need for a week( in recipes et.),and put 1 tbsp. flax seed/1 to 1-1/2 cups water in a clear jar w/ a lid and refridgerate overnight (use distilled or spring wate of course). the flax oil will leach out and rise to the top by morning------- for the gall bladder attack though, boil and drink like a tea ASAP. It helped me. don't store too long in fridge.

Skin

Posted by Kelly (Cincy, Oh) on 10/07/2009

To those of you who are considering adding flaxseed to your daily diet: I met a man who was in his 60's and looked 40'ish. he said that in his morning health shake (there are 100's of recipes out there, just google it) he added flaxseed he had set in distilled water the night before (no need to grind) the water softens the seeds and the oil leaches out. only do a couple of days ahead to keep from being rancid. NOT EVERYONE HAS A COFFEE GRINDER SO YOU CAN STILL ADD FLAX SEED BY THIS METHOD. GOD BLESS! flax seed adds omega-3 oil as is found in fish oil. 2-4 tbsp of flax seed 8oz.distilled water in fridge w/ lid.

Indigestion

Posted by Crystalin (San Juan, Pr) on 10/02/2009
★★★★★

During my first pregnancy, I experienced indigestion during my last trimester, which I understood to be normal. I started experiencing it earlier in my second pregnancy with more severe symptoms, and then earlier again in my third pregnancy, with increasingly severe symptoms. Before my fourth pregnancy, my mother-in-law (the best witch doctor around!) told me about flax seed oil. I tried to take a tablespoon with each meal(3x a day). Even if I didn't take in 3 a day, I still took at least 1 tablespoon a day. I never had any indigestion symptoms, until I went on a weekend trip in my 7th month, and forgot to bring my flax seed oil. I ended up having to sleep sitting up in a rocking chair. My indigestion was so severe, I was having a hard time breathing. When I got back home, I immediately resumed taking the flax seed oil, and had no more problems with indigestion.

Chelitis

Posted by Janet G. (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 09/29/2009
★★★★★

after one bad year of chelitis i found something totally at random which was very effective. i noticed that once i introduced flax oil daily to my diet the problem quickly vanished. i took a total of 6 capsules daily at 3 intervals the capsules were 1000 mg. each. i have never had the condition again. so 2 capsules 3 times daily... inexpensive and it worked.

Constipation

Posted by Christine (Doncaster, Yorkshire) on 08/30/2009
★★★★★

I have suffered constipation for years, not anymore. I take flax seeds every night so does my friend since I recommended them to her, about 3tbls swollowed down with plenty of water.

General Feedback

Posted by Gem (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 07/30/2009

Flaxseed oil is used to make linolium {lino used as a floor covering} Lino is oxidized linseed oil. Flaxseed/Linseed is a highly volatile oil (oxidises easily). If you must use it, only buy cold pressed oil in a dark bottle and store it in your refrigerator. Throw out any unused linseed oil after 3 weeks. Otherwise you will just be making lino on your blood vessels. The most volatile oil of all, is canola oil. The most stable oil is coconut oil.

Oil Pulling

Posted by myra (westfield, new jersey) on 06/25/2009
★★★★★

I started oil pulling with flaxseed oil yesterday as that was the most organic, freshest oil I had in the house. I used 1 T and did it twice yesterday. I really wasn't expecting any immediate results, but amazingly the bronchitis I have had for over 3 weeks (after a bout of flu) is starting to break up. I am experiencing looser phlegm and less wheezing and the heavy feeling in my chest is gone. I cannot wait to see what further results will bring. Today will probably switch to safflower or coconut as they have had such great reviews here.

Eyes

Posted by Rob (Northeast, USA) on 04/13/2009
★★★★★

Help for Graves Disease Eye Trouble

I have had Graves disease for a couple of years. I have not had a lot of trouble with eye protrusion, but I have suffered several severe struggles with dry, crusty, scratchy, painful eyes. The first round was helped by antithyroid meds. But for the last bout I was no longer on meds. I found that flaxseed oil was very helpful. I have been taking it for a few months now, 1 tablespoon with breakfast, another with supper (on some food). There seems to be a fairly predictable correlation between when my flaxseed oil habit gets interrupted and the return of eye symptoms (which reminds me to get back to the oil).

Cancer

Posted by Lori (Orlando, FL) on 03/23/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Flax seed use with Prostate Cancer:

This question is for Ted-

My father has prostate cancer, he had the HIFU treatment last year. His PSA was just done and has jumped from 1.4 to 10.7 in just 3 months. In November 2008, I encouraged him to start taking ground flax seed meal daily. I have recently read conflicting articles on the use of flax seed meal with prostate problems (estrogen). I'm thinking maybe the flax seed is responsible for the recent elevated PSA? I'm hoping you could shed some light on that. He also currently takes Vit C, D3, E, fish oil, selenium. He is drinking ACV and alkaline water (bought an alkalizer). I need to harp on him for his sweet tooth, so I'm sure there is a candida issue.

Side Effects

Posted by Kaylan (Phoenix, AZ) on 03/08/2009

Re: Janise from Los Angeles, I am a student about to graduate with a B.S. in Dietetics (on my way to becoming a Registered Dietitian) and I actually just covered this subject: Alpha Linoleic Acid is Omega 3 essential fatty acid. Omega 6 is what we consume too much of in the Western diet and it is what interferes with the function of Omega 3. Naturally we are supposed to consume these two essential fatty acids in a 2:1 ratio, but in our diet the ratio is closer to 20:1. Due to the elevated Omega 6, all those symptoms that you mentioned (i.e. inflammation) are actually aggravated. Omega 3 (alpha linoleic acid) is very important and very beneficial, as it is important for the composition of tissues, membrane phospholipids, retinal photoreceptors, cerebral gray matter, testes and sperm. It also produces eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Studies have shown that increased consumption of omega 3 fatty acid improves a number of conditions and promotes general health. In summary, flaxseed oil is good for you. Your argument appears to be the opposite of what health professionals advocate.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Linda (CA, USA) on 01/31/2009
★★★★★

I used to get zits after eating fried foods, chips and nuts or the week before my period starts. But since I've been taking 3 tabs flaxseed oil per day (1000mg), I've had absolutely NO zits. It also seems to keep my keloid scar flatter, too. I've read that flax seed oil (omega-3's) are anti-inflammatory so it makes sense.You can use fish oil too, but I don't like the fishy burp breath. Omega-3's are supposed to help prevent inflammatory diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc. For those who have a hard time swallowing the large tablets, there is always the liquid form which doesn't taste great but will do the job.

Diabetes

Posted by Lilian (Atlanta, Georgia) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★

At the beginning of the year (2009) my husband and I went on the famous cabbage diet (more as a cleansing mechanism than for weight loss). My husband was diagnosed with diabetes II 3 years ago. His starting fasting glucose was 260. We kept his sugar at the 130 range fasting over the past 3 years with medication. Well, a week after the diet his sugar had gone to 110 -fasting. Now 3 weeks later it has gone to 89-105 fasting. We thought the diet changes (we have been more careful about what we put in our mouth) made the difference. However we just realized that at the beginning of the year he also changed from fish oil cabs to Flax oil (2 in the morning, 2 at night). We believe the mix of cleansing our bodies of toxins and the use of flax has contributed to his low sugar levels. He continues to take his Metformin, but we hope to discontinue (or lower dose; from 2 a day to just 1) in the next month or so. P.S: because of his diabetes, while on the diet, he had a low sugar (1g) bowl of cereal in the morning and 1 at night if he felt hungry.

Depression

Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio ) on 01/03/2009
★★★★★

Based on reviews, and the fact my daughter has a condition called Lymphatic Malformation, and my Mom has some health problems, I decided to give "Barleans" Flaxseed oil a try. I bought a whole 32oz, and was worried I would not be able to use it all. First of all, I believe in oils. Some of the most healing things on this Earth are oils, and fats, such as Castor, Olive, and coconut oil. I had heard it tasted a little strong, but it was actually the mildest tasting oil I have used so far. Even more mild tasting than olive oil. Coconut oil is very hard for me to eat, and ofcourse castor oil is gross,. So...I used flaxseed oil in a banana milkshake with soy protean powder, AND WAS AMAZED! I could not taste it AT ALL, and if anything, it imparted a nice pleasant flavor to it.

Immediately My Mother and I felt something wonderful. I did hear something about using flaxseed oil to treat Depression, and I have to say guys, it's real.

She said her mind felt very clear, and she just felt a lot better, and I had a distinct feeling of increased energy. Even my eyesight seemed clearer, my mind felt clearer, it was amazing. I felt strangely happy. I felt so good, I felt a charge. I felt like the blood was pumping in my veins, and I set out to clean the whole house! I also played with my daughter, and I'm usually feeling so tired and sort of depressed at the end of the day, I usually don't have the energy. Some of the oil got on my hands, and it left a really nice pleasant scent to it. This oil is great!!.. and I see what all the fuss is about. You cannot taste it at all in shakes, it's awesome. It's the most powerful oil I've used so far. I feel a distinct difference when taking it. It's like the depression is gone.

Eyes

Posted by Patti (Muscatine, Iowa) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★

Dry Eye remedy

I have had dry eyes for over 25 years. I suffered with it for a long time while trying different remedies which didn't work. My opthamologist actually told me about this proven remedy. I have been taking 1000mg gelcap of flaxseed oil 2x/day for several years now and it has worked wonders for me. You have to take it for several weeks before you see results.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, TN) on 09/23/2008 490 posts

The below info on flax seed oil comes from the Federal Government's Data Base on plants compiled by James Duke, PHD. This is only a small part of information on chemicals in flax & their actions.

I also wrote down some of the chemicals found in flax seed:

acetic acid 3,105 - 3,853 ppm (ACV is 5% actic acid)
alanine - antioxidant, cancer preventative
alpha linoleic acid l08,000 228,000 ppm
magnesium 3,715 -7,002 ppm
tocopherol 57 ppm (Vit E)
tryptophan, lysine, and other amino acids

I can also add that I have taken quite a bit of flax seed oil without any harm or unwanted side effects. Jim Duke's book "The Green Pharmacy" also includes flax seed and flax seed oil.

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/

ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL
Oil 5 ppm;

Antialzheimeran; Antianginal; Antiarthritic; Antiasthmatic; Antiatherosclerotic; Anticancer; Anticataract; Anticonvulsant Synergen; Antidementia; Antidiabetic; Antiinfarctal; Antiinfertility; Antiischemic; Antimaculitic; Antimutagenic; Antineuropathic; Antioxidant 5 x quercetin IC34=10 uM; Antiparkinsonian; Antiradicular 5 x quercetin; Antiretinotic; Antirheumatic; Antistroke; Antitumor; Antitumor (Bladder); Antitumor (Prostate); Antitumor (Stomach); Antitumor-Promoter; Cancer-Preventive; Cardioprotective; Circulotonic; Immunomodulator