Flax Seeds For Appetite Control

[kimmey]

Flax Seeds for Appetite Control
by Victoria

Flax seeds are an excellent food to incorporate into your healthy eating plan. With their heart healing omega 3 and
6 (essential fatty acids), colon cleansing fiber and immune enhancing lignans, you owe it to your body to give this food a chance to do it's miraculous work.

By eating flax seeds on a daily basis for several weeks you can promote normal cholesterol levels, your digestion will improve and you will generally feel better.

One quarter cup of Flax seeds have more colon cleansing fiber than one cup of the following:

40% bran flakes; Total cereal; black beans; lentils; chickpeas; brown rice broccoli; corn

The same amount (1/4 cup) of flax seeds contains as many immune enhancing lignans as:

90 pounds of cabbage; 82 pounds of bananas; 75 pounds of strawberries; 26 pounds of broccoli; 12 pounds of wheat

You can even make a meal replacement out of a flax seed shake. If you make a shake and drink 2 glasses of water afterwards, it will reduce your appetite for the next meal. When using flax seeds, make sure to drink plenty of water as they are like sponges and absorb water quickly.
Flax seeds also have a mild laxative effect, so don't over do it.

Buy whole flax seeds, keep them in the refrigerator, and grind them in a good coffee grinder (used only for flax
seeds) just before use. Flax seeds oxidize quickly once ground, so only grind them right before you use them and don't buy flax seeds already ground up.

Here is a recipe I whip up on occasion that my whole family enjoys:

Flax shake for one:

1 cups water
1 cup ice
1 banana
1 1/2 tablespoons finely ground flax seeds

Throw all of this into a blender and whip it until frothy.
After drinking it, follow with another glass of water if needed.

I have tried grinding flax seeds with a food processor, but it doesn't work. You must use a coffee grinder.

[scott07]

Here are some more health benefits of flax seeds.Nutritionists are instructing their diabetic patients to eat flax daily. It has been discovered that the omega-3 fat and high fiber in flax may play a role in the fight against diabetes. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, participants who ate flaxseed bread had blood sugar levels 28% lower an hour after eating than their counterparts who ate bread made with wheat flour!

Flaxseed is high in lignans, up to 800 times the amount as in any tested plant food. Lignans (a phytoestrogen) have been called by H. Adlercreutz (in his article “Phytoestrogens: Epidemiology and a Possible Role in Cancer Protection”), natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax seed is also high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which has been found to be promising as a cancer fighting agent. The American National Cancer Institute has singled out flaxseed as one of six foods that deserve special study. Flax seed's high fiber aspect is also beneficial in the fight against colon cancer. Epidemiological studies note that diet plays a major role in the incidence of colon cancer. Research has shown that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet reduces your colon-cancer risk. Flax seed, high in fiber, lignans, alpha linolenic acid, is a key player in the fight against cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. One ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’s reference daily intake of fiber. Flax promotes regular bowel movements because it is high in insoluble fiber. Flaxseed's all natural fiber helps to absorb water, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass through the colon quickly. When adding fiber to your diet, it is important to make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Without enough liquids, fiber can actually cause constipation! In the fight against constipation exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, drink eight glasses of water daily and add two to four tablespoons of flax to your daily regime!