Nutrition Tips...

Super Food # 1: Flaxseed

This tiny little seed contains an amazing package of nutrients that can be a powerful addition to your diet. Research evidence shows it can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.

Three key ingredients are primarily responsible for these great benefits.

Omega-3 essential fatty acid: good heart healthy fats. 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed = 1.8 g omega-3sLignans: plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75- 800 times more lignans than other plant foodsFiber: both the soluble and insoluble types.

Taking the extracted oil misses the value of the whole seed content working synergistically. The oil does represent valuable antioxidant power but when it teams with the lignans found in the shell, the anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-heart disease and anti-stroke properties are elicited according to the research findings. The fiber from the shell provides the ability to soak up excess cholesterol, toxins and hormones. Eating 2 tablespoons of crushed flaxseed twice a day even showed a reduction in hot flashes in a preliminary study!

Daily amount: 1 -2 tablespoons ground. Golden or dark…..some recommend golden as best.

Tips for incorporating flaxseed into your diet:

Grind it fresh using an electric coffee grinder or magic bullet (once ground it begins to oxidize)Store seeds in cool, dark place for up to a year. Store ground flax 1-2 days in freezer.Add it to a smoothie, oatmeal, or organic yogurt (preferably soy) Sneak it into moist casseroles after baking (high temps destroy nutrients)