The Health Benefits of Flaxseed for Women

Flaxseed is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet and has long been thought to be healthful. The first crop was cultivated in Babylon at around 3000 BC and the great King Charlemange thought so highly of flax that he made laws requiring his subjects to consume it. Today, science is discovering just what it is in flaxseed that makes it so healthy and the many conditions flax can alleviate or prevent. For women especially, the health benefits are numerous.

Women’s Heart Health

There are two components in flaxseed that have been shown in studies to be beneficial for the heart. One is the essential fatty acid, ALA, or alpha linolenic acid. The other is contained in the lignans, which are special chemicals the plant produces. ALA prevents plaque from sticking to arterial walls, thus preventing hardening of the arteries. The lignans maintain a normal heart rhythm and also keep artery walls plaque free. Therefore, women eating healthy diets including flax can help prevent heart disease.

Avoiding Breast Cancer

While advances have been made in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, it is still far better to prevent it from occurring in the first place. The lignans in flax interrupt the metabolism of hormones like estrogen. Some breast cancers are estrogen sensitive, and for these types of cancer, dietary flax can prevent the cancerous cells from growing. If the cancer is already present, it may stop or slow down tumor growth. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties in both the ALA and lignans help the body stay cancer-free.

Regulate Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is basically about the timed release of certain hormones in your body. Anything that interferes with these hormones and causes one or the other to be delayed, or to be released too soon, can cause irregular periods. The lignans in flaxseed regulate how hormones in the body are metabolized and can therefore help to straighten out an out-of-kilter cycle

Alleviate Symptoms of PMS

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