Whole, ground flaxseed has wonderful health benefits

Whole, ground flaxseed has wonderful health benefits

Whole, ground flaxseed has wonderful health benefits, including reducing the risk of prostate and other cancers. And best of all, you can top it on almost any dish!
Flaxseed may lower blood sugar levels, research shows. It does have laxative effects, as does any fiber source, but for most people, that’s a good thing. It could, in theory, cause bowel obstruction if you ate a lot of it and drank no fluids, but in the 20-plus years we’ve used flaxseed at the clinic, I’ve never seen such a thing. Nor is it particularly allergenic, although sensitive people may be allergic to most anything. Finally, if flaxseed contained enough cyanide to build up to toxic levels, I’d have dropped dead a long time ago.
Because freshly-ground flaxseed is an excellent source of fiber and protective lignans, stay away from flax oil and eat up to a quarter cup of ground flaxseed daily. Add a tablespoon of flaxseed to cereal, yogurt, mayonnaise, or baked goods.
Yours in good health,Dr. Whitaker