Did you know that just two tablespoons of flaxseed contains more than 100% of your recommended daily allowance for heart-healthy fats? And that’s not the only health benefit of flaxseed. Flaxseed is also high in fiber and lignans—a phytonutrients that may help regulate hormone levels. Additional benefits of lignans include:
- Antioxidants that help support the immune system
- Lowered DHT, which may improve prostate health
- Competition with estrogen, which may help menopausal symptoms
- Reduced LDL cholesterol levels
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduced rate of hair loss
- Headache relief
- Fights depression
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds daily to your meals. Sprinkle ground flaxseeds onto your cereal, mix in flaxseed into mayo or mustard when making sandwiches, add flaxseeds to bread or cookie recipes, mix into yogurt, or sprinkle flaxseeds on salads. We recommend buying ground flaxseed, or if you buy whole flaxseed, you should grind it up first in a coffee or spice grinder before adding to foods, as whole flaxseed will pass through your body without being digested. In other words, you’ll get more benefits from ground flaxseed. Ground flaxseed can be stored in an airtight container for several months, and you can extend the freshness of whole flaxseed by refrigerating.
If you are interested in incorporating flaxseed into your diet, you should consult with your doctor first.