Do you know the benefits of flaxseed oil?

High-lignan flaxseed oil contains the building blocks for both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Fatty acids are components of fat. Some fat is required for keeping your body running at top performance- especially your brain. The thing is, it has to be the right kind of fat. Going to McDonalds and getting a large order of fries will not give you the fats your body needs. Instead you'll get saturated fats and trans fats that can bring on high cholesterol and heart disease.

Flaxseed oil, on the other hand, will work wonders to remedy all sorts of problems including bloating, allergies, severe PMS, feeling cold and tired, and recurring yeast infections. It also helps to get your metabolism going faster and activates brown adipose tissue which burns fat instead of storing it in your white adipose tissue.

For good health, one could take one to two tablespoons per day of high-lignan flaxseed oil (the high-lignan part will ensure it's doing it's job to balance your hormones). It can be taken straight or drizzled over salad with some lemon juice as dressing. It has been found that following it with a couple bites of cottage cheese helps the body get the most of it's nutrients.

Where else can you find good fats? Some foods include cold-water fish like tuna, salmon and cod, soybeans, leafy greens, wheat germ, sea vegetables, raw nuts, avocado and sprouts.

You can find flaxseed oil at your local health food store. If you live near a Trader Joe's, I know they offer a good and reasonably priced version. It has a distinct nutty flavor. If you don't like the taste, it's possible to take it in capsules, but to equal 2 tablespoons, one would have to take about 18 capsules in a day. Experiment until you find a way that works for you. Just make sure you don't cook with it, since temperatures over 300 degrees F can damage the fats in flaxseed oil creating trans fats. Also make sure you keep it in the fridge.

Another alternative would be eating ground flax seeds. Grinding releases all the good stuff in the seed. Use raw seeds for this purpose. (Do not consume more than 3 or 4 tablespoons per day, as any more has the potential to metabolize into thiocyanate (SCN) which can cause goiter.) When eaten whole, they still offer a benefit by helping to dislodge impacted fecal matter and clearing it out of the body. Whole seeds can be toasted on a baking sheet at 250 degrees F for fifteen to twenty minutes until crispy. I like to sprinkle them with a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor. Get creative with the seasonings!