The Amazing Flaxseed!

        Flaxseed is the seed from the flax plant, believed to have originated in Egypt. It is grown in Canada and the North Western United States. It is a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids which have heart healthy effects, lignans which are antioxidants, and fiber which we all know keeps our digestive system healthy. Just 2 tablespoons of flaxseed has as much fiber as 1&1/2 cups of oatmeal and as much lignans as 30 cups of fresh broccoli!
The unique combination of these three elements has the following effect on your health:

-decreases your risk for heart disease
-decreases your risk for cancer, especially prostate, breast, and colon cancers
-decreases your risk of stroke
-boosts fat burning as well as prevents the development of dangerous belly fat which wraps around  the internal organs
- decreases your risk of diabetes by 30%
-lowers blood pressure
-decreases plaque build up in artery walls (atherosclerosis) by 75%
-decreases cholesterol
-relieves constipation
-decreases depression
-regulates heart rhythm
-decreases inflammation in the body
-it may even decrease the intensity and frequency of menopausal hot flashes!

        It just takes 2 to 3 tablespoons of flaxseed a day to get all of these wonderful benefits (if you can't squeeze in 2 to 3 tablespoons, eat what you can-it will still do your body good). So, how do you eat flaxseed?? Well, you can put it in just about anything. You can stir it into yogurt (my fav!), cereals, soup, oatmeal, smoothies, chili, stew, meatloaf, etc. You can also substitute 1/4 to 1/2 cup of flour with flaxseed in breads, muffins, rolls, bagels, pancakes, and waffles. The possibilities are endless!

The fine print:
It is best to eat ground flaxseed as the whole version will pass right through your digestive system intact, which means that your body will not get the benefits.
It is also important to store the flaxseed in the freezer in the opaque package that it came in to prevent oxidation and preserve nutritional potency.
The only warning I came across in my research is that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor prior to adding flaxseed to their diet.

All information provided here can be found on WebMD and Dr.Oz's Realage.com