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ALA is this stuff: it's why we all go on and on about flax, seed, oil and meal:
Flax Seed and Flax Oil
Ancient records show that the human
race has consumed flax seed since the
beginning of civilization. Over the
centuries, the growing of flax seed
has spread across Europe, Africa, and,
finally, to North America. Today, scientific findings are
confirming the nutritional benefits of flaxseed in a balanced
diet.
Flax seed is a remarkably good source of Alpha Linolenic Acid
(ALA). ALA is an essential fatty acid and is one of the essential
nutrients that is necessary for life. ALA must be obtained from
the diet - the human body is not able to manufacture it.
ALA is useful in protecting against heart diseases, improving
immune function, cancer prevention, and improving male
infertility.
As well, approximately 20% of the ALA we consume is
transformed in our bodies into two other fatty acids: EPA and
DHA (these are the same beneficial compounds found in fish
oil). The benefits of EPA and DHA include: protection from fatal
heart attack, decreased inflammation and pain in arthritis, and
protection from thrombotic disease. DHA alone is noted for its
effects on brain function, mood and behavior. DHA is one of the
building blocks for brain growth and development. Numerous
animal and human studies suggest that DHA improves learning,
vision processes, memory, and concentration.
Due to the benefits of EPA and DHA produced from ALA in the
diet, flaxseed consumption may be particularly important for
vegetarians and people who prefer not to eat fish often.
The easiest way to get the ALA you need is to supplement with
capsules of flax oil, or use bottled flax oil in salad dressings and
other cooking. However, raw flax seed (preferably milled or
ground) is another way to add ALA to the diet. Raw flax seed is
also a valuable source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber,
which helps relieve constipation. In addition, raw flax seed is
the highest plant source of lignans, which are strong
antioxidants that could reduce the aging process, promote
bone health, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and protect
against some environmental toxins. Lignans may help reduce
the risk of certain forms of cancer, particularly cancers of the
breast and colon. For women, lignans have added benefits.
Lignans are phytoestrogens which normalize hormone levels,
which can fluctuate at any stage in a woman's life.
Now, I'm not being critical, but this board has a very good search engine. Many questions have been answered in glowing detail in past posts.
Flax Seed and Flax Oil
Ancient records show that the human
race has consumed flax seed since the
beginning of civilization. Over the
centuries, the growing of flax seed
has spread across Europe, Africa, and,
finally, to North America. Today, scientific findings are
confirming the nutritional benefits of flaxseed in a balanced
diet.
Flax seed is a remarkably good source of Alpha Linolenic Acid
(ALA). ALA is an essential fatty acid and is one of the essential
nutrients that is necessary for life. ALA must be obtained from
the diet - the human body is not able to manufacture it.
ALA is useful in protecting against heart diseases, improving
immune function, cancer prevention, and improving male
infertility.
As well, approximately 20% of the ALA we consume is
transformed in our bodies into two other fatty acids: EPA and
DHA (these are the same beneficial compounds found in fish
oil). The benefits of EPA and DHA include: protection from fatal
heart attack, decreased inflammation and pain in arthritis, and
protection from thrombotic disease. DHA alone is noted for its
effects on brain function, mood and behavior. DHA is one of the
building blocks for brain growth and development. Numerous
animal and human studies suggest that DHA improves learning,
vision processes, memory, and concentration.
Due to the benefits of EPA and DHA produced from ALA in the
diet, flaxseed consumption may be particularly important for
vegetarians and people who prefer not to eat fish often.
The easiest way to get the ALA you need is to supplement with
capsules of flax oil, or use bottled flax oil in salad dressings and
other cooking. However, raw flax seed (preferably milled or
ground) is another way to add ALA to the diet. Raw flax seed is
also a valuable source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber,
which helps relieve constipation. In addition, raw flax seed is
the highest plant source of lignans, which are strong
antioxidants that could reduce the aging process, promote
bone health, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and protect
against some environmental toxins. Lignans may help reduce
the risk of certain forms of cancer, particularly cancers of the
breast and colon. For women, lignans have added benefits.
Lignans are phytoestrogens which normalize hormone levels,
which can fluctuate at any stage in a woman's life.
Now, I'm not being critical, but this board has a very good search engine. Many questions have been answered in glowing detail in past posts.
