Dr. Marion Verbruggen gives the scientific research behind the health benefits of flaxseed.  Yuu can always find out more about flaxseed and purchasse flaxseed by visiting www.flaxmatters.com .

I just found out that one of the main components of flaxseeds, omega-3 fatty acids, can improve your skin.  Studies have shown that flax seed can greatly improve the appearance and feel of your skin.  If you have a rash or dry skin, try adding flaxseed to your diet.  The recommended daily dose is 2 tablespoons a day.  Flaxseed acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.  You will notice a reduction in your redness and scaly king.  The omega-3 fatty acides lower the excess blood flow to the skin caused by inflammation.  Flaxseed can be added to almost anything you are eating or baking – add to your yogurt, cereal, even sprinkle it on top of a salad.  You can check out recipe ideas and buy flax at www.flaxmatters.com

Flax seed is a modern miracle in the health community for a reason. It’s rich in Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and lignan, which is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. The combination of ALA, protein and dietary fiber, cooperatively operate, transcending the benefits of their individual parts. Containing both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), it contributes to brain and infant development, as well as cardiovascular health.

The website Stop Aging Now offers studies suggesting flax seed oil reduces skin red and roughness, and can actually improve the overall health and appearance of my skin. Check out their studies on flax seed health benefits. For years, it’s been used for animals to keep their coats glossy, and it gives the same smooth and silkiness for humans’ hair and skin. Flax seed oil works incredibly in homemade face lotions and hair gels.

In my endeavors to eat healthier, I’ve expanded my recipe repertoire with the help of flax seed. I sprinkle flax seed oil on my cereal, salad or soup for taste, bake cookies and pies with the milled seed flour, and substitute flax seed for any recipe calling for a nutty flavor ingredient. Source: http://www.healthcastle.com/flax.shtml. In mainstream consumer culture, flax seed is popping up all over the place, from cereals to muffins. It makes incorporating healthy eating choices, contributing to my improved lifestyle, easy and delicious. Flax seed is inexpensive and convenient; two important factors for those of us on the more sensible side when it comes to health trends.

Have you tried this?  How did your recipe taste?

• Sprinkle 1-2 T. of milled flaxseed on your cereal or salad
• Add milled flaxseed to your yogurt or smoothie
• Mix flaxseed into your bread dough, casseroles, vegetable dishes

How do you add flaxseed to your diet?

The Problem.

Over 46 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis, and as the population ages, that number is expected to reach 67 million by 2030. Even the most mild forms cause a swelling of the joints and discomfort, but as the disease progresses, patients can find themselves living with near-constant pain, or even losing joint function altogether in some areas. It’s great that modern medical science allows people to live much longer, but if they spend those extra years in pain brought on by arthritis, then the quality of that life is severely affected.

The Cause.

Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most commonly-suffered forms of arthritis, is caused by an autoimmune defect: Basically, the body attacks normal tissue as if it were pathogenic. The obvious symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are a painful stiffness in the joints and disfiguring nodules that form beneath the skin. But as it progresses, joint inflammation starts breaking down the cartilage that cushions the bones, destroying the joint surface and causing permanent deformity of the joints … not to mention a great deal more pain.

The Treatment.

Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is incurable; all that modern medicine can do is treat the symptoms and try to stop the disease from damaging the joints any further. So doctors end up prescribing expensive drugs and steroids that bring with them a whole host of unpleasant side effects – from hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, to osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, hypertension, hair loss, erectile dysfunction and an increased risk of birth defects. An ever-growing number of people prefer to avoid these kinds of side effects (not to mention the many other dangers associated with introducing unnatural chemicals into the body) by using safer, more natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. The best of them is flaxseed.

Why Flaxseed?

Along with its many other benefits, flaxseed is high in essential fatty acids like omega-3s, linked by medical experts to lower levels of inflammation in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Essential fatty acids help the body produce prostaglandins, which act as anti-inflammatory, hormone-like molecules that contribute to optimal joint health. Since the body doesn’t make essential fatty acids on its own, they have to be obtained through foods or nutritional supplements.

The best way to stock up on essential fatty acids is flaxseed, which contains six times as many omega-3s as most fish oils, without the risk of mercury or other heavy-metals poisoning that fish consumption brings with it. But don’t take our word for it: A study cited in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects who took flaxseed oil every day averaged a 30% reduction in chronic inflammation, resulting in greater relief from pain and joint degradation. That seems to make flaxseed the ideal arthritis natural remedy.

What is your New Year’s Resolution?