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Flax seed, also known as linseed, comes from the plant known as the common flax or linseed plant, and is among the most useful plants known to man. The list of uses that flax has been put to is endless. In addition to being used in fabrics, paper, dyes, and many other industries, flax is also used as food, which is of course the area that you are interested in. Flax seed is mainly consumed in two ways - as oil, and in the form of the seeds themselves.
Consuming the seeds is probably much more beneficial, but flax seed oil, or linseed oil, as it is more commonly known, is still among the more healthy oils around. This is mainly because of their extremely high content of omega 3 fatty acids and lignans. It is thought that lignans are good for the heart and also help in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The uses of omega 3 fatty acids are now well known, but to run through them in brief - there are strong indications that they help blood circulation, control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke, and may also help in prevention of cancer.
If you consume flax seed, then all these benefits are combined with the added benefit of fiber. Flax seed is rich in dietary fiber, which is essential for the digestive system to function properly. Flax seed also contains some amount of protein and various minerals.
The best way to consume flax seed is to buy whole flax seed and store it in airtight containers. You can grind the flax seed just before you use it - it can then be added to juice, porridge, salad, cakes, and practically anything. Two warnings however: anything in excess can be bad - the idea amount of flax seed to consume daily is around 30 grams; and secondly, flax seed tends to get spoilt rather quickly, so you should store it carefully and always check it before you eat it.
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