5 beneficial properties of linseed oil for blood vessels, brain and heart

Linseed oil is extracted from flax seeds by cold pressing. It is mainly used in the household sector (production of drying oil for processing wood and cellulose building materials), cosmetology (as a base for creams, gels).

It is often used as a food additive, but it oxidizes quickly enough, acquiring a bitter or sour taste, so it will not be possible to completely replace sunflower or olive oil with it in the kitchen.

However, flax seeds are extremely useful for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system, which is confirmed by research .

It contains omega-3 acids, tocopherol, vitamin K – these elements, although not in large quantities, are necessarily necessary for the human body, and they are rare in other food products.

That is why flaxseed oil is recommended for the prevention of many cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. What other useful properties does linseed oil have? How to take it correctly to cleanse blood vessels? All the answers are in our article.

What is included in the composition?

The base of linseed oil is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (in a ratio of 60 and 10%, but the final figure also depends on the method of processing flax seeds). It also contains (based on 100 grams):

• Vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol) – about 55 milligrams;
• Vitamin K – up to 10 mg;
• Choline – 0.2 mg;
• Calcium – 1 mg;
• Phosphorus – from 0.5 to 2 mg.

The composition of flax oil includes a large amount of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids , which play an important role in human metabolism, as well as, according to research , are necessary for the normal functioning of the entire cardiovascular system.

The approximate daily requirement for polyunsaturated acids for an adult (16 years and older) is only 5 grams (which are contained in about 50 grams of this oil).

5 useful properties

It is for the cardiovascular system that linseed oil has the main benefit. Several of its key properties can be distinguished.

1. Accelerates the production of red blood cells. Vitamin K contributes to this. And red blood cells, in turn, are necessary for transporting oxygen to all tissues of a living organism.
2. Is the prevention of atherosclerosis. Recent research by scientists has revealed that the periodic use of linseed oil as a dietary supplement significantly reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis and subsequent thrombosis.
3. Acts as a cardioprotector and antiarrhythmic agent. Unsaturated fatty acids improve the conduction of the heart muscle, prevent disruption of the sinus node.
4. Prevents the inflammatory processes of the heart muscle. As a result, the risk of heart attack is significantly reduced, the appearance of microfractures of the fibers of the membranes of the heart.
5. Improves the elasticity of blood vessels. This reduces the likelihood of thrombosis of large feeding arteries, varicose veins (including during pregnancy), varicocele, hemorrhoids.

Also check out the infographic:

Effects on the brain — 5 facts

Flaxseed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 acids, which are directly involved in the formation of nerve cells.

What benefits does it bring to the brain? The key properties are as follows:

1. Prevents stroke at any age. Improving the elasticity of capillaries, which permeate the entire brain, reduces the likelihood of their thrombosis.
2. Stimulates the regeneration of nerve cells. This is especially important for the elderly, whose neuronal repair process slows down by almost 6 times (compared to adulthood).
3. Comprehensively improves the patient's condition in clinical depression. This is facilitated by the presence of a small amount of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the composition of linseed oil, which are just essential.
4. Prevents the development of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. This effect is explained by the property of polyunsaturated fatty acids to influence the synthesis of neuromodulators of the brain.
5. Acts as a brain stimulant. Regular consumption of linseed oil significantly improves memory, attentiveness, concentration. By the way, this is why, back in Soviet times, doctors recommended giving fish oil to children – it, like flaxseed oil, contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

It is also worth mentioning that the use of flaxseed oil has a positive effect on a woman's psychology. This affects, for example, the minimization of emotional disorders due to regular hormonal imbalance (which is part of the normal menstrual cycle). And the oil also helps to minimize the stress factor during the onset of menopause – the frequency of pressure surges, dizziness, and depressive "tides" decreases.

Does it lower cholesterol?

As you know, low-density cholesterol accumulates in blood vessels over time, which provokes the formation of cholesterol plaques. They are the main cause of subsequent thrombosis. In the future, this can trigger a heart attack, stroke, polyneuropathy and even gangrene.

To minimize this risk, it is necessary to periodically cleanse the body of that "harmful" cholesterol. And flax extract will help in this.

How does it work? Flax does not break down cholesterol directly. But the constant maintenance of normal levels of unsaturated fatty acids in the body (which include omega-3 and omega-6, which are part of linseed oil) significantly improves the elasticity of blood vessels and reduces the likelihood of accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels.

How to take it correctly?

Only cold-pressed linseed oil should be used as a dietary supplement. But it should be borne in mind that it has a fairly short shelf life – it quickly oxidizes in the presence of oxygen. And it should be stored in the refrigerator in a closed glass container.

How to take oil correctly? The easiest option is to add it to salads (only 2-3 teaspoons are enough for 1 serving).

In order to lose weight, it is recommended to use it with lemon juice. To do this, add 2 teaspoons of linseed extract and the juice of half a lemon to 1 cup of water.

For the procedure of cleansing the vascular system, linseed oil are accepted according to the following schedule:

• 2 times a day, 2 teaspoons before meals (morning and evening);
• Course duration – 30 days;
• No more than 3 courses are allowed annually.

3 therapeutic recipes based on it

There are a lot of recipes from the field of alternative medicine for lowering cholesterol levels. Nevertheless, doctors themselves recommend using them in practice.

1. With herbal decoction

The most effective of these is a mixture with herbal decoction. It is prepared like this:

1. Mix 25 grams of dried dried apricots, 25 grams of lemon balm, 30 grams of dried strawberry fruits and grind to a powder state;
2. Pour the resulting mixture with boiling water (0.5 liters) and insist for 3 hours;
3. Strain through 3-4 layers of gauze and let it stand for at least 2 more hours.

Decoction should be consumed 2 times a day for 100 milliliters , mixed with a dessert spoon of linseed extract. The course of treatment is 2 weeks, then a break of 15 days is taken. This combination of broth with oil stimulates the breakdown of harmful cholesterol and prevents it from settling on the walls of blood vessels.

2. With calendula

It is also often advised to take flax and calendula oil (slightly reduces cholesterol levels and prevents high blood pressure) in combination with lemon juice (stimulates the breakdown of cholesterol). It is necessary to take it according to the following scheme:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of flax and calendula extract;
2. Add 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice;
3. Drink the mixture and immediately eat a small piece of black bread.

Use this mixture 1 time a day before breakfast. The course of treatment is 1 month. It should not be repeated more than 3 times a year.

3. With honey and yogurt

And for a comprehensive cleansing of the body (including the intestines), the following recipe will help:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of linseed oil and honey (preferably buckwheat);
2. Mix thoroughly until smooth (it is better to use a whisk or fork);
3. Add the resulting mixture to 1 cup of homemade yogurt.

Take the finished product 1.5 hours before bedtime. You should not eat more on this day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. This recipe is especially useful for those who have a tendency to constipation.

Contraindications

According to the recommendations of nutritionists, from linseed oil should be completely abandoned in the presence of the following diseases:

• Cholelithiasis;
• Liver failure;
• Hepatitis of any type;
• Allergy.

Before using the oil, it is necessary to conduct an allergic reaction test. To do this, a few drops of it are applied to the skin in the wrist area and carefully rubbed. If after 5-10 minutes there is no reaction (redness, itching, inflammation, rash), then treatment can begin.

You should also refrain from using flax oil during pregnancy – it will not harm the future baby, but if the pregnant woman accidentally exceeds the permissible dosage, then there may be an excess of omega-6 acids in the body.

This increases the likelihood of self-abortion (as an extensive inflammatory process may begin).

In total, flaxseed oil can be used to cleanse the body, but in combination with other medicines or folk remedies. And regular consumption of it significantly reduces the likelihood of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. The main thing is to stick to a dosage of 2-3 teaspoons per day, no more.