Whole flaxseed, but not oil, may cut cholesterol

"Adding whole flaxseed to your diet, but not flaxseed oil, may help lower your cholesterol levels, hint the combined results of multiple studies. Flaxseed is seen as a heart-healthy food as it contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, digestion-aiding compounds called lignans, and alpha linolenic acid, which is linked to heart health. However, individual studies on flaxseed's impact on blood cholesterol levels have yielded mixed results. This led Dr. Xu Lin, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, and colleagues, to pool results from 28 studies involving more than 1,500 men and women to try to clarify the impact whole flaxseed and its derivatives have on cholesterol levels. Average whole flaxseed or flaxseed oil intake was about one tablespoon daily. The findings, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, link whole flaxseed with reductions in total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol."

Grind flax seeds for maximum health benefits

"According to the Flax Council of Canada flax has been grown since the beginnings of civilization. Around the eighth century, King Charlemagne considered flax so important for the health of his subjects he imposed laws requiring its consumption. Flax is grown for its fibre and its oil-rich seeds, the latter of which is harvested from blue-flowered plants grown in such places as the Canadian Prairies. It's rich in protein and contains fibre and essential nutrients, including iron, niacin, calcium, vitamin E and phosphorous. Flax seed is gluten-free and provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which studies have shown can have numerous health benefits such as helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, and it also contain lignans, compounds that may help protect against certain kinds of cancer. For maximum health benefit the Flax Council says you should grind the seeds, because whole flax seed will pass through your system undigested" - Canada.com