With health benefits ranging from fighting heart disease, maintaining eye health to preventing several types of cancer, flaxseed is fast becoming the newest wonder food.

The History of Flaxseed

Purportedly, the oldest textile fiber used by humans was flax evidenced by 10,000 year old Turkish excavations and other architectural finds. The medicinal use of flaxseed also dates back thousands of years. Ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians used flaxseed as anti-inflammatory agents as well as for gastro-intestinal issues. In his encyclopedia of natural science entitled Historia Naturalis, Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79), a Roman naturalist, included thirty used for flaxseed.

Civilizations in Asia also held flaxseed in high esteem. Recordings in China indicate the use of flaxseed as a treatment for dry skin and constipation. Indian Ayervedic practitioners recommended flaxseed for the treatment of cardiac conditions, burns, swelling and even eye health.

Ancient depictions of flax cultivation have been found in Egyptian tombs. Today, flax is cultivated in every part of the world except tropical regions and the poles.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed

Flaxseed is made up of many components, three of which have landed this tiny seed a reputation as a "super" food.

• Fiber. Flaxseed contains insoluble and soluble fiber.

• Omega-3 essential fatty acid. This fat is a "good" fat that has heart healthy benefits.

• Lignin. A group of chemical compounds found in plants, lignins provide a source of estrogen-like chemicals and also act as antioxidants.

Fiber

The fiber in flaxseed, when taken internally, swells and turns into a gel-like substance in the intestines. This gel acts as a stool softener as well as increasing stool volume, promoting bowel movements. The fibrous components in flaxseed also appear to be somewhat soothing to intestinal irritation.

Omega-3

With ten times the amount of Omega-3 as most fish oil capsules, flaxseed is a great source of this essential nutrient. Many studies have found Omega-3 can help lower cholesterol, promotes blood vessel health and reduce the risks of a fatal heart attack.

Lignan

Flaxseed has one of the highest known concentrations of lignan. This phytochemical is responsible for producing phytoestrogen which mimics the female hormone, estrogen. As well as having anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects, phytoestrogens have compounds that help maintain bone density and reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.

Flaxseed consumption has increased exponentially since the mid-1990's and with good reason. Modern day research is learning more about this ancient medicine and backing up its solid reputation. As new studies continue, flaxseed will likely become a "super" food staple