Old Time Folk Remedies

Ground flaxseed is about the only healthy thing my family and I do, I'm sad to say. A very health concious friend of mine recommended it. Along with cholestorol, it also contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, which your body NEEDS but does not produce, and is usally taken with fish oil. It also helps with constipation, I've heard. Every time my husband eats it, it cleans him out; I haven't noticed that effect on myself or the kids.

Now, we don't take the flax seed straight. I tend to throw it into whatever I am cooking. I don't have any problems with the taste, and the kids don't notice it (and usually not dh, either). I add it to sauces (spaghetti, lasagna, etc), to bread when I use my bread machine, pizza dough from the bread machine (but you could easily mix it with that sauce), oatmeal or other hot breakfasts, soups, pretty much anything. We don't get as much of the benefits as taking it straight and consistantly, but with three kids and a picky husband (and being a bit picky myself), I figure it's better than nothing.

I researched it a little more in depth when I was querying for an article, and learned a couple other things, though sources differ in opinion:
It's supposed to be good for when you are pregnant (especially during the time the baby brain is forming) and nursing; that's the Omegas kicking in. HOWEVER, research has shown mice getting estrogen-related cancer, so some experts say DON'T take it. So that's your warning. Personally, I think those poor lab mice are doomed to die of cancer anyway...
I've heard, too, that it is good for menopause because of the estrogen it contains (that's
the mice issue); helps balance you out
And I vaguely remember it helping with diabetes in some form, because I recommended it to my diabetic MIL.

So, that's what I learned. Hope it helps!
SG


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