Flaxseed (Flax Seed) Oil, Benefits, Health, Information

Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Benefits, Health, Information
by Dusty R. Green, M.Ed., Research Scientist / Author of Smart Eats, Smart Supplements, and Smart Exercise

Americans lead the World in a lot of things and heart disease is one of them.  For a long time, scientists did not understand why Greenland Eskimos and coastal Japanese have low levels of triglycerides (blood fats), cholesterol, and correspondingly low incidence of heart disease.  These two groups of people consume higher amounts of fat in their diets than most Americans.  The key to this paradox came when research scientists discovered a big difference in the kind of fats they consume compared to the rest of the world.

Cold Water Fish
Cold water fish consumption held the key to this paradox.  Cold water fish are high in the fatty acids eicosopentaenoic (EPA) and decosahexaenoic (DHA) which are also called omega 3 oils/fatty acids.  Most Americans eat diets high in omega 6 oils and low in omega 3s -- quite unhealthy.  Omega 3 and 6 oils are also called essential fatty acids (EFAs).  Since most of us do not eat cold water fish regularly, the next best thing is to eat the straight oil or take it in capsule form.  Cold water fish oil in capsule form can leave a fishy after-taste and possibly contain mercury and other toxicities -- depending on where the fish come from.

Flax seed oil is a well-balanced omega 3 dominant essential fatty acid.  It has a healthy 3:1 ratio of omega 3 to 6 and does not leave an after-taste since it is plant derived.  

It is ideal to create a healthy balance of oils (EFAs) in your body.  By consuming flax, you'll be correcting the balance in favor of omega 3 -- preferably bringing the total balance to 2:1 in favor of omega 3s.  It's very difficult to eliminate omega 6 oils from our diet since they are found in high amounts in almost everything we eat.  Margarine, shortening, heated oils, most nuts, animal fats, chips, salad dressings and many other food products are all high in omega six oils.

Benefits of consuming flax seed oil on a regular basis:

• Eczema and psoriasis positive support - particularly when taken along with melatonin,

• Possible elimination of "dry eye",

• Helps with the reduction of body fat,

• Supports smooth silky skin,

• Has a positive effect on energy levels and muscular strength,

• May have positive benefits associated with allergies and arthritis ,

• Encourages healthy testosterone levels in males and females,

• Aids in the recovery from exercise, thus, helping to lower fatigue,

• Supports the healing of bruises, muscles, and joint injuries,

• May decrease blood platelet stickiness (can lead to heart disease),

• Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels,

• May aid those with cancer (including breast cancer),

• Depression and pain support.

A Word About Melatonin, Psoriasis, and Eczema
In small amounts, melatonin may cause skin cells to proliferate (in large amounts, it stops proliferation).  Those with psoriasis and atopic eczema do not have normal melatonin secretion.  Instead of peaks, they have valleys.  With psoriasis, melatonin peaks in the daytime when it should not.  As a result, leaving small amounts of the hormone produced at night.  It's surprising that a hormone connected to sleep has something to do with skin health but not to those researchers who consider it another endocrine gland.

References:
Published in the Journal of Nutrition, February 1998;128(2 Suppl):427S-433S. In humans with neuropathy or impairment of the immune system, significant deficits of omega 3 EFAs have been measured.

Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1987, Feb;11(1):2-9. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are major structural components of the brain and through their effects on membrane properties can influence nerve conduction, transmitter release, and transmitter action.

J Neurochem 1998, Aug;71(2):732-40. This study indicates that fish oil has beneficial effects on diabetes-induced alterations in sciatic nerve Na,K-ATPase activity and function.

Med Hypotheses 1992 Oct;39(2):123-6. Recent developments show that the brains of persons who have died from Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have a deficiency of Essential Fatty acids in one of the principal classes of phospholipids.

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2000, Dec;63(6):351-62. A statement made by the Author of this study: Thus, there appears to be a close interaction between the central nervous system, endocrine organs, cytokines, exercise, and dietary n-3 fatty acids. This may explain why these fatty acids could be of benefit in the management of conditions such as septicemia and septic shock, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Those who hemorrhage or bleed easily, as well as diabetics, should consult a competent health professional before taking flax seed oil.  Some research groups have reported increases in blood sugar and sharp declines in insulin secretion in diabetics of both the type I and II category.

Enjoy the benefits our flat rate shipping and handling!  You receive the same great service for the same shipping price whether you order one item or one hundred!

$5.95 - Within USA only - US Post Office  5-9 business days.

$14.95 - Within USA only - US Post Office  2-3 business days.

$28.95 - Within USA only - US Post Office Overnight (2nd day to rural areas).

$29.95 - To Canada only (see warning information here) 5-9 business days to customs check point (the only way we ship - US Post Office).

$39.95 - Outside USA only (see warning here) 7-10 business days to your country's customs check point (the only way we ship - US Post Office).

Save 8.25% on all purchases - Texans and everyone!

It's all tax free!  You will be able to review all charges before they are charged to you.

At checkout (after you click the Add button above), the billing address you enter must match the address where you receive your credit card (security effects).  The shipping address you enter does not have to match.

All orders placed by Noon Central Standard Time (CST) are shipped the same day.  PO Boxes Okay.

Payment by credit card is immediate.  Payment by check adds a few more business days -- as soon as funds clear.

We do not sell the information you give us to anyone.

Protecting Your Personal Information:
We pledge a safe and worry-free shopping experience using the industry standard for Internet security, 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption (see an online payments diagram).  SSL scrambles your personal and credit card information as it travels the Internet during the checkout process.  We utilize the Authorize.Net payment gateway.  Your credit card information is encrypted and sent to an Authorize.Net transaction server.  This server sends the data through the network to the card's bank, using a secure, proprietary connection.  When complete, you will receive an approval or decline response.  At no point is your credit card information stored on our server.

For additional information regarding the privacy of your sensitive cardholder data, please read the Authorize.Net Privacy Policy.