I am currently studying at the College of Naturopathic Nutrition and have been really interested to see how flaxseeds keep coming up a lot in the nutrition lectures. You are probably aware that we need good fats in our diet and that Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential fatty acids i.e the body can't make them so they are required in our food. We should be eating a ratio of around 5:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 however most people in the UK have a ratio of around 16:1 which isn't great for the body.
Omega-3 rich-foods are flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts and oily fish. Omega-6 foods are olive oil, nuts (other than walnuts), avocado, meat, dairy.
Flaxseeds not only contain Omega-3 but also contain many vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein, so are a real 'powerhouse' of nutrients. They also contain phytoestrogens, which are thought to mimic oestrogen in the body so great for women, particularly when perimenopausal or menopausal, when oestrogen levels are dropping. The fibre in flaxseeds is soluble and insoluble so a great source.
Apparently it is best to buy whole flaxseeds and then grind them a bit at a time and store in the fridge (the whole seeds just go straight through us so by grinding them we release the nutrients). I have around a tablespoon a day (added to porridge or smoothies).
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