linseed oil Flaxseed oil is known for its high content of healthy Fatty Acids. The ingredients of the oil are particularly valuable in combating some diseases.

The most important things at a glance

• Omega-3 fatty acids make flaxseed oil so healthy
• Linseed o for cardiovascular problems
• Flaxseed oil for diabetes
• Vitamins and antioxidants: linseed oil for inflammation
• Linseed oil for skin diseases
• How much linseed oil per day

Cold-pressed linseed oil is of particularly high quality and is extremely healthy for humans. Because linseed oil provides many unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. It is therefore a positive addition to any healthy diet and can also provide benefits for certain diseases.

Omega-3 fatty acids make flaxseed oil so healthy

Fats and oils consist of different fatty acids: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids. They differ in their chemical structure and their functions in the body. Unsaturated fatty acids are particularly valuable for the body and are sometimes even essential. That means he needs them, but can’t make them himself. Therefore, they must be supplied through food. These essential fatty acids include the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid.

Flaxseed oil has a particularly beneficial fatty acid composition: It consists of around 20 percent monounsaturated fatty acids and up to 70 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids. And: With 30 to 60 percent alpha-linolenic acid, the proportion of valuable omega-3 fatty acids is particularly high. This composition makes linseed oil an ideal supplier of healthy fatty acids.

In addition to linseed o, other vegetable oils such as rapeseed, walnut and soybean oil are also considered good sources of these essential fatty acids. They are also found in fatty fish (such as herring, mackerel or salmon).

You can find more information about the properties of different dietary fats here .

This is how omega-3 fatty acids affect the body

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the body. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can:

• reduce total and LDL cholesterol concentrations in the blood
• Improve the flow properties of the blood and thus prevent deposits in the blood vessels
• positively influence the immune system
• Inhibit inflammatory reactions

Linseed o for cardiovascular problems

Through the positive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cholesterol levels and the flow properties of the blood, they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that increased consumption of alpha-linolenic acid is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies with linseed oil have also shown a positive effect on cholesterol levels, although to a lesser extent than pure alpha-linolenic acid.

In addition, the fatty acids contained in linseed are also suspected to have a positive effect on high blood pressure. However, the study situation is not yet clear on this point.

Flaxseed oil and blood clotting

Flaxseed oil can reduce your blood’s ability to clot. If you are taking anticoagulant medications or other anticoagulant supplements, taking additional flaxseed oil may potentially increase your risk of bleeding. In this case, talk to your doctor before you start taking flaxseed oil regularly.

Flaxseed oil for diabetes

Taking flaxseed oil or pure alpha-linolenic acid can help treat various diabetic complications. For example, it improves blood clotting in diabetics, but not in healthy people.

Vitamins and antioxidants: linseed oil for inflammation

But: Flaxseed oil is not only healthy because of its high content of omega-3 fatty acids. The oil also contains vitamins E and K. Flaxseed oil is also one of the richest plant sources of lignans. These are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of foods is therefore beneficial since many diseases are associated with chronic inflammation. These include obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and rheumatic diseases. Some studies have shown that the ingredients in linseed oil can potentially reduce inflammation in the body. In this way, positive effects on diseases such as metabolic syndrome, arthritis and even breast cancer have been shown. Linseed oil is also recommended for osteoarthritis .

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Especially if you have serious illnesses, you should never rely on the effects of linseed oil alone. Consult your doctor here and use linseed oil as a supplementary measure.

Linseed oil for skin diseases

People who suffer from sensitive skin that is prone to inflammation can also partially improve their symptoms with linseed oil. Regular consumption of one to two tablespoons of linseed o per day can lead to smoother and better moisturized skin. Flaxseed oil may also relieve symptoms of neurodermatitis . This is indicated by some animal and laboratory studies.

Applied externally, linseed o – and especially the alpha-linolenic acid it contains – is said to reduce pigmentation disorders and improve wound healing in the skin. However, there are only a few studies that confirm this effect. Further research in this area is therefore necessary.

How much linseed oil per day

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy and essential for life in small amounts. The German Society for Nutrition therefore considers 0.5 percent omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid) to be appropriate based on daily calories. This corresponds to around 1.1 grams of alpha-linolenic acid for women (2,000 kilocalories per day) and 1.6 grams of alpha-linolenic acid for men (2,800 kilocalories per day). With an average content of 40 percent alpha-linolenic acid in linseed oil, this amount is already contained in one teaspoon (four grams) of linseed oil.

You can find out why you shouldn’t consume too much omega-3 fatty acids here .

Be careful: linseed oil goes rancid quickly

Cold pressed linseed oil is very healthy. But if you store it incorrectly, you won’t be able to enjoy it for long. The reason: Linseed o oxidizes quickly due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids. It therefore becomes rancid within a few weeks. Therefore, pay attention to the following points when using linseed oil:

• Buy where it is refrigerated and stored in dark bottles
• The manufacturer should have pressed linseed oil without additional heat and in the absence of oxygen
• Store at home in a dark and cool place (preferably in the refrigerator)
• Use within two months

Conclusion

Flaxseed oil is very healthy due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The polyunsaturated fatty acids can lower the cholesterol concentration in the blood, prevent deposits in the blood vessels and thus protect against a heart attack and stroke . They also have a positive effect on the immune system and inhibit inflammatory reactions in the body. Linseed oil is therefore a valuable addition to your diet and can be particularly beneficial for cardiovascular diseases. However, to avoid an overdose, observe the maximum recommended amounts.

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