The Magic of Flax Seeds: Health Benefits and How to Use Them

Incorporating flax seeds into your diet brings numerous health benefits, but like everything, there are also some downsides. Some people should even avoid flax seeds completely.

Understanding what's in your food is critical, but it's even more important to know how it is absorbed by our bodies.

Flax seeds are rich in compounds that our bodies convert into omega-3 fatty acids. Each person's production differs, depending on the strength of their digestive system and their absorption capacity. Flax seeds contain water-soluble fibers, which are important for improving gut health through probiotics. We lack these more than insoluble fibers. They also play a significant role in balancing blood sugar levels. Coupling flax seeds with sweet foods allows sugar to enter cells more slowly, leading to a controlled and proper insulin release.

Flax seeds are packed with antioxidants, fighting off diseases and aging. They also offer special benefits for hormonal balance, particularly for women experiencing menopause symptoms.

Consuming flax seeds might not be suitable for those facing frequent bowel movements. The fiber content encourages waste elimination, potentially exacerbating the condition. Individuals with inflammatory bowel conditions should avoid seeds altogether, as they may worsen inflammation.

The Most Important Thing – Heating flax seeds leads to oxidation, making them inadvisable. The fatty acids in the seeds are very sensitive to oxidation when exposed to heat or even light, making ground seeds oxidized and harmful.

Another common mistake is adding flax seeds to bread or crackers. Some even go as far as making flaxseed bread. Heat and even light destroy the seeds' beneficial properties.

The correct approach is to buy whole seeds and grind them at home in a spice grinder shortly before use. Immediate grinding is simple and worth the effort.

You can grind enough for a few days and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.

Flax seeds are highly concentrated nutrition. It's advisable to add up to two tablespoons a day to your meals, in smoothies or on vegetable or fruit salads.

Zohara Sharvit is a naturopath N.D and a diagnostician based on the iris, with years of experience in treatment, consulting, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290