Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of plant lignans, this is found in the fibrous hull of the seeds. Lignans are phytonutrients found in grains, legumes, seeds and vegetables.

Flaxseed contains 27 anti-cancer compounds including fiber, pectin, vitamin E, magnesium, and sitosterol. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Flax has a soothing, anit-inflammatory effect. (Bauman,2012)

Flaxseed is beneficial in helping with constipation due to the fiber content. Flaxseed helps with gastritis, colitis, and other inflammation of the digestive tract.

It is best to keep the flaxseed in the freezer or refrigerator and grind when you are going to use it. I use a coffee grinder to grind the seeds.  You will get the full benefit of the Omega-3 fatty acids when you use the flaxseed right after grinding. You will still get the benefit of the fiber if you use already ground flaxseed but will not get all of the wonderful benefits of flaxseed if not using it immediately after grinding. Once you grind flaxseed it is much more prone to oxidation and spoilage. So it is important to keep it in an airtight container in a cool dark place.

Also can add the seeds to your smoothie at the end of mixing all of your ingredients in your blender.

I keep my flaxseed in an airtight container in the freezer and have flaxseed everyday.

Flaxseed has been found to reduce inflammation, and down regulate HER-2 expression. My tumor was HER-2 positive so you can see why I have flax everyday and it seems to be working I am cancer free!!

I would like to share the Budwig Protocol with you. I read about it in a recent book I am reading called Cancer-Free Your Guide to Gently, Non-toxic Healing By Bill Henderson and Carlos M. Garcia. I am constantly reading books on Health and Nutrition. I find the information fascinating!!!

The “Budwig Protocol”

Dr. Budwig came up with cottage cheese and flaxseed oil as an effective preventative AND HEALIG MIXTUREE for cancer and many other ailments. To get a more concise explanation of the diet you can order a DVD from Amazon.com It is called “A Day in the Life of the Budwig Diet”.

The flaxseed oil and cottage cheese must be blended and eaten together to be effective. One triggers the healthful properties of the other. The cottage cheese loses all its dairy properties (casein, lactose, etc.) in this mixture. I try not to eat dairy so this is a good thing. For people that have issues with dairy, which many of us do and do not realize it this mixture should not cause problems but if it does you should not try this mixture.

Keep the flaxseed oil in the refrigerator after opening it and store it in a dark bottle. The oil can become rancid after it is opened. Light and heat quickly make it rancid.

I have been doing flaxseed but I am going to try this mixture as an added preventative option to my diet. I will let you know how I feel after trying it.

One thing that I have read before in The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray is that in some studies of men with prostate cancer some  showed an elevated level of ALA. It is not all-inclusive for it also stated that it could have been because of deficiencies of zinc and other nutrients involved in the conversion of ALA to EPA. Also as a Safety note Flaxseed contains moderate amounts of oxalate. So if you have a history of oxalate-kidney stones you should avoid over-consuming flaxseed.  I bring this up just so you are aware of the different studies out there and information.