You may have heard about the benefits of flaxseed for your horse’s hair coat, but this little seed actually has numerous benefits for animals as well as people. One well-known benefit is related to colon health. For example, studies have shown that flaxseed can help with problems such as constipation, IBS, and even help to prevent colon and other types of cancer!
To begin with, let’s talk about what flaxseed is exactly.
Flaxseed, also known as linseed, comes from the flax plant, which has been used since ancient times as both food and medicine. High in fiber and containing a gummy material called mucilage, flaxseed has historically been used as a laxative. This is due to the fact that it can add bulk to stool and help it move more quickly through the intestines.
Flaxseed is high in alpha-linolennic acid (ALA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid; it also contains several vitamins and minerals including thiamine (B1), copper, molybdenum, magnesium, vitamin E, potassium, and phosphorus.
Many people with IBS-C consume flaxseed to help ease their symptoms. Flaxseed works as a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, helping with constipation issues in many cases. However, if you have IBS-D, you may want to start with a very small amount of flaxseed and work your way up.
Flaxseed and Cancer
Flaxseed may also decrease early markers of colon cancer risk. Studies in animals show that lignans, which are present in flaxseed as well as many other plants, may slow the growth of colon cancer cells.
Likewise, eating 25 grams of flaxseed per day may also reduce tumor growth in both breast and prostate cancer patients. Additionally, because it can reduce estrogen production, flaxseed has been linked with breast cancer prevention.
Other Benefits of Flaxseed
Of course, flaxseed has other benefits as well. Known for helping to fight inflammation, if eaten regularly, flaxseed can improve heart health, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, as well as ease symptoms of menopause!
Other uses for flaxseed including easing symptoms of conditions such as:
- ulcers
- migraines
- ADHD
- psoriasis
- glaucoma
- Lyme disease
- lupus
- panic attacks
How to Eat Flaxseed
You likely won’t want to eat flaxseed on its own. However, it’s easy to sprinkle on cereal or yogurt, mix into smoothies, or bake into homemade muffins or bread. In fact, you can replace eggs with a “flax egg”, which is made by mixing one tablespoon of ground flax with 2-3 tablespoons of water.
When consuming flax, make sure to drink plenty of water. Flaxseed is best eaten ground because they are easier for your body to digest that way. You can purchase stabilized ground flaxseed such as The Holistic Horse’s Organic Stone Ground Flaxseed or you can buy whole flaxseed and grind it in a coffee grinder a little at a time.
If you have IBS, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease, you might want to talk to your doctor before adding flaxseed into your diet, as it may cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea in some people with these conditions.
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