Flaxseed: Heart Friendly Superfood That Costs Only 25 Cents and Could Replace Your Medication

I’ve spent many years understanding the connections between diet and health as a cardiologist, and I appreciate how positive changes can do a lot of good. One area that catches my attention is flaxseed, a seed that boosts heart health, yet rarely gets any attention in daily conversations.

Flaxseed: The Wonder Drug for Heart Health That Goes Unrecognized in Medical Practice

Whenever I get the chance, I always want to book an appointment with my patients who are ever looking out for ways to strengthen their cardiovascular system. These tiny brown seeds carry remarkable nutrients, helping the heart perform functions that are equivalent to expensive medications.

FLAXSEEDS, rich in unique elements, are extremely beneficial owing to their peculiar composition. For instance, a tablespoon offers almost 1.8 grams of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-made omega 3 fat. Just as fish oil does, ALA will be converted by your body to heart-protective compounds. We can conclude the flaxseed oil vs fish oil discussion by summarizing that fish oil is EPA and DHA of flaxseed, whereas flaxseed oil is ALA along with fiber and lignans, which fish oil’s dividends are considerably lesser.

Three Benefits of Flaxseed for Heart Health You Never Knew

• Flaxseed is more effective in controlling cholesterol than statin medication

High cholesterol patients are frequently recommended to consume flaxseed as it helps in managing both cholesterol and LDL levels. Some of my patients have been taking 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily on their diet, and I have seen a reduction in their cholesterol levels by 10-15%. This has always been better than statin medication, which comes with muscle pain and liver problems.

When combined with other foods, flaxseed’s soluble fiber promotes digestion, cholesterol binding, and natural cholesterol removal. Unlike some cholesterol-lowering medications that may have severe side effects, flaxseed takes a gentle approach, working in harmony with your body’s processes.

2. Reduces Blood Pressure Like A Prescription Drug Would

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are known to relax blood vessels and for that reason, are sometimes dubbed as “silent killers” of the human body. With flaxseed, it is possible to safely lessen systolic blood pressure by approximately 10mg without any dizziness, fatigue, or other allergic side effects.

3. You Cannot Patent Anti-Inflammatory Protection

Disease states with persistent inflammation may slowly propel one toward heart disease. Flaxseed provides some protection because, in addition to omega-3, it also contains lignans, which helps lower inflammation markers in one’s blood. Pharmaceutical companies continue to struggle to replicate or find a way to patent flaxseed while it actively works to protect the cardiovascular system against chronic conditions.

Practical Tips to Use This Forbidden Superfood in Your Meals

I hear patients asking all the time, “Where can I purchase flaxseed, and how do I use it effectively?” Just like with many online shops, most local grocery and health stores carry good quality flaxseed. I always recommend buying whole seeds and grinding them as needed because flaxseed loses its potency when already ground. To answer the question, is flaxseed meal the same as ground flaxseed? Yes, it is. Flaxseed is sometimes ground into a fine powder for easier consumption. Meals are an effortless way of integrating flaxseed, and here are some of my favorites. Morning Boost: Flaxseed can be added to oatmeal or smoothies. Also, milk combined with flaxseed turns it into a creamy breakfast drink. This drink is cheaper compared to heart supplement drinks. Baking Substitute: Flaxseed can also be used in baking as an egg substitute. For a heart-friendly replacement, an old-fashioned egg can be replaced by mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. After five minutes, the mixture turns into a thick, gel-like spoonable blend.

Uses and Benefits of Flaxseed: 

Many of my patients know the benefits flaxseed offers, especially for assisting with better hair health. Flaxseed gel serves as a leave-in conditioner which is great for your heart too, as it helps in conditioning and also aids with heart health.

Safety Measures and Storage Tips: 

Flaxseed does spoil is common. Rancidity is something that can happen to all seeds, but unlike most seeds, whole flax seeds can be stored in a cool, dry location for one year and two years in the fridge. Ground flax seeds need to be refrigerated, and consumed within a few months; otherwise, the nutritional value declines.

Better compared to commercial items, this gel is very cheap. Flaxseed gel can be made by boiling 1/4 cup of flaxseeds in 2 cups of water for a while. The mixture should be strained after a gel-like texture is achieved. This gel serves as a leave-in conditioner and is good for health.

Choosing the Right Type (What The Industry Doesn't Want You to Know)

In the quest for organic flaxseed oil, ensure to get cold-pressed oils stored in dark bottles. Nonetheless, it is more beneficial to consume whole or ground flaxseed since it is more nutritionally advantageous and contains more fiber and lignans. These are precisely the compounds that have made flaxseed so threatening to the pharmaceutical Industry. Patients often ask me about flaxseed vs chia seed. Both are remarkable options; however, flaxseed comes out on top since it offers better cardiovascular benefits, as well as having a great amount of ALA omega-3s and lignans. On the other side, chia seeds are more nutritious as they have more calcium and protein, so it is best to use both. If you had to pick just one, then flaxseed remains the best option.

The Most Vital Information They Won’t Share With You

From my practice, heart patients are making positive changes by focusing on simple lifestyle modifications. One of the most easy-to-make, and incredibly heart-healthy changes, is adding flaxseed to your diet. This simple change threatens to disrupt the entire multi-billion dollar industry that is centered on selling medication with severe consequences. For maximum effectiveness, please scale up your dosage from one tablespoon a day to two.Flaxseed is known to maintain one’s heart health when taken regularly. Big Pharma’s synthetic treatments won’t be able to offer the same benefits that regular and uncomplicated consumption of flaxseed will provide your body. If you are taking blood thinners, have other medical conditions, or are sensitive to dietary changes, checking with your doctor is always advisable before making adjustments. While many practitioners might avoid suggesting natural remedies, that is the time when you should doubt their reasoning.

Mushrooms can also be included in the diet for additional heart health benefits.