Flaxseed Oil for Arthritis

Flaxseed oil is the richest source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6 cannot be produced  by the body and must form an important addition to  the diet in order to remain healthy. People mostly manage to consume far too much Omega-6, and far too little of Omega-3, hempseed oil has the perfect balance refer to the article  The Omega-3s and Omega-6s are the precursors to the production of prostaglandins, leucotrines, and thromboxanes, the Omega-3 tends to be anti-inflammatory in action, whereas the Omega6 tend more to a proinflammatory action, that is why it's important to achieve an ideal ratio between these two EFAs.

Essential fatty acids increase metabolic rate, and with increased metabolic rate there is an increased rate of fat burn off, an excellent reason to add flaxseed to the diet if you are overweight.Flaxseed oil has been used to lower high blood pressure, to reduce high triglyceride levels, lower cholesterol, enhance immune function, decrease inflammation, to treat dry skin, eczema, and psorasis.In order to receive the benefits of flaxseed oil, it is essential that it is absolutely fresh, kept out of light, and tightly capped and most importantly kept under refrigeration.. If freshness can't be guaranteed, then it is far better to grind fresh organic flaxseeds as needed to avoid rancidity, the seeds should be kept refrigerated once the seal on the packet has been broken.

A small study done on a group of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer found that flaxseed  given in the form of daily muffins appeared to slow down the rate of tumour growth. Ground flaxseed contains compounds called phytoestrogens, which apppear to work to lower levels of circulating estrogens which are linked to breast cancer.

Udo Erasmus says: " Flax provides the best therapeutic oil for people with Omega-3 deficiency-related fatty degeneration, because it contains the largest amount of Gamma-linolenic acid, the most strongly dispersing essential fatty acid.Alpha-linolenic acid helps disperse deposits of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, which like to aggregate and make platelets sticky."

The ability of flaxseed oil to boost immunity, is of significance to those who have arthritis, for arthritis has been linked to a dysfunctional immune system, so it follows that flax would be an important addition to the diet.

 Read more:Hemp seed oil for Arthritis

References:Thompson LU T, Chen J, Goss PE Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Erasmus,Udo. Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. Published: Alive Books Vancouver BC