Volume 3, Issue 36
September 23, 2010

How to maximize the benefits of flaxseed without irritating your stomach

By now, you're probably well aware of the many health-related benefits of flaxseed. They are the best overall source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. And they also are loaded with the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is the anti-inflammatory oil that we need to offset the unusually high intake of the pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats that most of us get. But how you take flaxseed makes a huge impact on how beneficial it is. In fact, if you take it the wrong way, you won't see much benefit at all — and it can cause severe stomach irritation.

The authors of a recent study looked at the blood levels of people who took their flaxseed in three different ways. Some of them took the seeds whole (30 grams per day). Others took them after they had been ground up (30 grams a day). And others just took a commercial preparation of flax oil (1« tsp. per day). In all cases, they ate the flax after they baked it into muffins. Then, after three months, the researchers took blood samples and measured their levels of ALA.

Only two of the three groups experienced an increase in their levels. Those taking either the flax oil or the ground flaxseed saw an improvement. The participants eating the whole flaxseed did not show any increase in plasma ALA levels. But that's not all.

Continued Below...

Boost Your Nitric Oxide Levels With L-Arginine, Right? Wrong!

Why Arginine Is Nearly Useless For People Over 40... Plus What MIT Researchers Say You Should Be Doing Instead

Click Here To Learn More


Some of the participants in the study had some intestinal irritation from the flax no matter what form they used. But the effects from the whole seed and oil preparations were much worse. Some people from each of these groups had symptoms that were severe enough to force them to stop eating the muffins and withdraw from the study. No one withdrew from the group that ingested milled flaxseed however.

So if you want to have the benefits of flax without any of the possible side effects, it seems that the best way is to grind it first.

Flax oil is very susceptible to damage from exposure to oxygen. To protect the oil, simply keep the whole seed (not ground) in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container. Make sure you use them very quickly after you grind them. It's best to grind them just before you use them. The freshly ground flaxseed will go a long way toward protecting you from the damage of inflammation. This can include arthritis and other types of pain.

Finding your Real Cures,

Frank Shallenberger, MD

REF: Austria JA, Richard MN, Chahine MN, Edel AL, Malcolmson LJ, Dupasquier CM, Pierce GN. Bioavailability of alpha-linolenic acid in subjects after ingestion of three different forms of flaxseed. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Apr;27(2):214-21.


Copyright 2010 Soundview Publishing, LLC

If someone forwarded you this email, and you'd like to receive your own Real Cures Alert, please sign up on our website: www.secondopinionnewsletter.com

We have a strict anti-spam policy. We know how important your privacy is to you. That's why we do not share your email address with anyone.

Click here to read our Privacy Policy

To contact us:
Real Cures
PO Box 8051
Norcross, GA 30091-8051
800-610-5605
770-399-5617

[email protected]

Real Cures Health Alert is a complimentary e-mail service from Real Cures Newsletter written by Dr. Frank Shallenberger.

To unsubscribe from future mailings, please follow this link to manage your email preferences.

Ready To Upgrade?

Upgrade now to a Second Opinion Newsletter Subscription so you don't miss out on the healthy, active life you deserve.

Plus, Get Up To 18 Free Reports When You Click Here To Upgrade Today!

Get A Free Copy Of This Powerful Report

Inside You'll Discover

► A little secret that not only relieves stress but can actually banish stress from your life!

► If you are exercising too hard to be healthy.

► And, an optimal exercise regimen to excerise smarter, not harder!

Enter your name and email to claim this free report and join our newsletter

Get Report!