What is flaxseed oil?
Flaxseed oil is one of the richest natural sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It also contains lignans, small fibrous particles in the flaxseed shell that have disease-fighting properties. Flaxseed oil is used as a daily nutritional supplement because it is rich in the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which your body partly converts into EPA and DHA (the two chief omega-3 fatty acids found in marine oils). Flaxseed oil has a far higher omega-3 content than other common seed oils: one tablespoon of Credé Flaxseed Oil contains roughtly 7,800mg of ALA.
Why is it good for you?
ALA is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. This means the body needs to get ALA from dietary sources in order to function properly, and cannot make up ALA using other nutrients. Unfortunately, the modern diet contains a lot less ALA than our ancestors’ used to. The “Western” diet contains far fewer nuts, seeds and dark green, leafy vegetables than in earlier times, and omega-3s are easily damaged during heating and other forms of food processing. Because it can be difficult to get sufficient dietary omega-3s, many nutritionists recommend using omega-3 supplements, such as flaxseed oil.
Omega-3s play an important role in many biochemical processes. Research suggests benefits in the following areas:
- Strong anti-inflammatory properties
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Healthy skin
- Reduced symptoms of ADHD
- Healthy brain development in children