flax seed effects

[faygie11]

I have to take 2 pills 2 times a day according to bottle.
I have to take it with my other meds that I take. I took the first pill this morning and I and I will be taking the next pill tonight.
How does one know the flaxseed is working what it is suppose to do.

[Tom]

I sometimes include a tablespoon of freshly-ground flax seed in a meal. But it sounds like you're taking the oil in pill form.

Basically, flax includes essential fatty acids (omega-3) which your body uses for various things- nerves, for example. I'm not sure why you are taking it if you weren't sure what it's for though. Do you think you might be lacking essential fatty acids (omega-3s, in this case)?

[rabid_child]

It might help noticeably with things like skin and hair -- but effects like that take weeks to months to notice. Other things they're good for you won't actually SEE or FEEL any difference, and the things you do take a while. It's not like taking an asprin.

Here's a list I found of what fatty acids will do:



Just as a member of a large family has many roles, essential fats serve many functions in the complex workings
of the human body.
Essential fats establish and maintain our health by:

* Increasing energy, performance, and stamina
o EFA's enhance thermo genesis, help build muscle, prevent muscle break down, and speed recovery from fatigue

* Strengthening the immune system
o EFA's make hormone-like eicosanoids that regulate immune and inflammatory responses
o N-3s have anti-inflammatory effects and can slow autoimmune damage

* Lowering risk factors for cardiovascular disease
o EFA's (especially n3s) lower abnormally high levels of blood pressure, triglycerides, Lp(a), fibrinogen, tendency to clot formation, and inflammation

* Improving brain function: mood, intelligence , behavior, and vision
o Our brain is over 60% fat. EFA's are important components of the entire nervous system
o They are necessary to make the neurotransmitter serotonin
o Depression and other brain diseases show decreased levels of n-3

* Aiding in weight reduction
o EFA's help keep mood and energy up and suppress appetite, thereby aiding in weight loss.
o More recently, they have been found to block the genes that produce fat in the body (saturated and trans fat do not have this same effect) and increase thermogenesis

* Regulating organs and glands
o Liver and kidneys, adrenal and thyroid glands, and the production of
male and female hormones need EFA's

* Speeding up the recovery and healing process
o EFA's are necessary for cell growth and division
o They form all cell membranes and regulate vital cell activity

* Supporting healthy child development
o For nervous system development, a growing fetus needs optimum EFA's from the mother's body.
o Mothers become depleted of EFA's during pregnancy, and need optimal EFA intake for their health and their children's optimum development

* Improving digestion
o Poorly digested foods tie up the immune system and can cause gut inflammation, leaky gut, and allergies
o N-3s improve gut integrity, and decrease inflammation and "leaky gut"

* Decreasing chance of infection
o EFA's have anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and anti-microbial properties, helping to protect against infections

* Keeping bones strong
o EFA's aid in the transport of minerals that keep bones and teeth strong, helping to prevent osteoporosis

* Protecting genetic material
o EFA's regulate gene expression, and n-3s inhibit tumor growth

* Easing PMS
o Studies indicate that n-6 (GLA) intake was voted, by women, among the top three most effective PMS treatments. N-3s may be even more effective
*

Producing beautiful skin, hair, and nails
o Some of the first signs of EFA deficiency are dry, flaky skin, dull hair, and brittle nails. N-3s can help skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne
o Also, GLA (n-6 derivative) administration is useful for some patients with atopic eczema

[faygie11]

My dietition called me before my appointment this coming wednesday and told me to start the flaxseed pills before I come to see her and my doctor this monday. She told me she will explain everything to me on Wednesday. My doctor will explain some of the effect on monday.

[Tom]

I forgot to mention-

There are different types of essential fatty acids- omega 3s and omega 6s, for example. I think the text rabid_child posted was referring to these as n-3 and n-6 respectively.

Anyway- some think that the ratio of 3 to 6 is important, and that if you get a lot of 6, that can interfere with the 3s. Flax seed has 3, but a lot of other vegetable fats vegetarians consume are richer in 6. Did your dietitian talk about this? If not, maybe there's nothing to worry about after all. It wouldn't be the first time a dietary myth was exploded.

As far as I know there are no official dietary guidelines for EFA requirements yet, but we do need them.

[rosiem]

I heard that it is WAAY better to take straight ground flax seed, instead of flax oil, because then you get the benefits of the good fats, and you also get all the awesome benefits from the healthy fiber that is in ground flax.

Are the flax capsules made without gelatin? If so, can you tell me the brand? Because almost ALL capsules I find are made with gelatin, which sucks.

[Photojess]

I haven't seen this mentioned yet, but men "may" want to stay away from flaxseed oil, but not the ground flax.

Here is one article, and maybe if you want more info, you can do more searching yourself, but read esp the last paragraph or two. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400051

Flax oil for men may increase prostate tumor risk.

Dr Weil advocates for flaxseed in the diet though, just not the oil....and that's just for men.

[SheThrowsDown]

I heard that it is WAAY better to take straight ground flax seed, instead of flax oil, because then you get the benefits of the good fats, and you also get all the awesome benefits from the healthy fiber that is in ground flax.

Are the flax capsules made without gelatin? If so, can you tell me the brand? Because almost ALL capsules I find are made with gelatin, which sucks.

Not sure about the ground flax...I use it only because flax oil grosses me out. Not sure why. As for flax capsules I know the Deva has these vegan ones:
http://www.devanutrition.com/vegan_flaxseed_oil.html

[FitChick99]

Are the flax capsules made without gelatin? If so, can you tell me the brand? Because almost ALL capsules I find are made with gelatin, which sucks.

I did a google search for "vegetarian flax capsules" when I was looking, and I found several brands. The cheapest were on Vitacost.com.

I use ground flax in my smoothies, but I don't have a smoothie every day, so I supplement with the capsules otherwise. I'm only taking 2 pills per day though.

[SobeVegChick]

I've been taking flax seeds in my daily breakfast smoothie. Just before making the smoothie I grind them up in my coffee grinder.

Do you all know how long the shelf life is for whole seeds?

[SheThrowsDown]

I did a google search for "vegetarian flax capsules" when I was looking, and I found several brands. The cheapest were on Vitacost.com.

I use ground flax in my smoothies, but I don't have a smoothie every day, so I supplement with the capsules otherwise. I'm only taking 2 pills per day though.

Yea vitacost.com is a GREAT website! http://www.luckyvitamin.com/ is also great if they sell what you need :D their prices are just above wholesale :)

[Photojess]

whole flax seed can stay at room temperature for a long time, but once ground, should be used right away or store it in an air tight container in the fridge. It'll turn rancid rapidly if ground, then left to sit at room temp.

[SobeVegChick]

Thanks! My bag of ground has been around a few months (man, does a little go a long way!). How will I know if it goes rancid? Smell? Appearance?

[FitChick99]

Yea vitacost.com is a GREAT website! http://www.luckyvitamin.com/ is also great if they sell what you need :D their prices are just above wholesale :)

Thanks for the info!

[derill]

Thanks! My bag of ground has been around a few months (man, does a little go a long way!). How will I know if it goes rancid? Smell? Appearance?

I was reading somewhere that a whole flax seed can last up to 20 years, but I haven't been able to find anything else on it, aside from it going rancid rather fast.

[whisper]

Thanks! My bag of ground has been around a few months (man, does a little go a long way!). How will I know if it goes rancid? Smell? Appearance?

It's best to store it in the freezer once you open it. It will last a lot longer.

I believe it will smell rancid once it goes bad.