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Tiny as they may be, flax seeds pack a punch of function.
First: Flax offers a great source of fiber. Every tablespoon holds 8 g of fiber making it easy to bump up your fiber consumption of the day by doing nothing more than whirling it into a smoothie or sprinkling it onto a salad.
Second: Flax is a plant source of omega-3 making it an invaluable staple to the diet. While the omega-3 oils should not be considered a replacement for fish or fish oil, they play an important role in the anti-inflammatory systems of the body.
Third: Flax contains lignans which have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer* in women and prostate cancer in men by optimizing the metabolism of estrogens. This metabolization has also been shown to normalize the menstrual cycle and reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.
In order to experience flax seed’s 3-fold function:
Include at least 2 tablespoons into your daily routine.
Grind the flax seeds to expose the omega-3 oils. Once ground, store the seeds in your freezer for up to a month.
Avoid buying pre-ground flax seeds as the omega 3 oils are most likely rancid from sitting on the shelf for too long or being exposed to excessive heat and light. Omega-3 oils are fragile and require a cool dark environment to maintain their structure.
Now I want to hear from YOU! What is your favorite way to include flax into your daily routine?