Flax Seed

You've likely heard that flax seeds are good for you, and flax seed oil is important, ... and if you are like I was a few years ago, that's about all you've heard. It's sad that flax seeds don't get a bigger pat on the back, because they really do so very much for you. Let's pull out important points:

Vitamin Content
Flax seeds are so nutritious! They contain many vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins and magnesium. That alone makes them a great food, but that's not all....

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3's are crucial! They are a key force that fight against inflammation, and inflammation is a key force in many diseases, such as arthritis and certain cancers.

High Fiber
You can get the omega-3 and vitamins/minerals from taking flax seed oil, but by consuming the flax SEEDS, you also get fiber. Fiber is an important part of the diet that helps stabilize blood sugar, improves elimination, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents certain illnesses. The average American diet is generally very low in fiber, making the addition of flax seeds to the diet a valuable consideration.

Now of course, you should not rely totally on flax seeds to cover all the bases. You need other sources of fatty acids in your diet (such as those found in fish oils) and you need a variety of vitamins and minerals. You can get too much fiber at one time too, which can influence the bowels rather suddenly - not a pleasant experience normally. Fiber consumption without adequate water poses an opposite difficulty too. So wisdom is important in this case. That doesn't mean be afraid of flax seeds. They are amazing and very versatile. Grinding your flax seeds gives you a fabulous addition to homemade breads (and with the invention of bread machines, making bread is a snap). Sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flax seeds into your morning smoothie and see how great your day goes!

Notice the improvements to mental function, joint discomforts and skin condition after making flax seeds a part of your regular diet.

Find more information on flax seeds online at sites such as About.com