Flax seeds have been eaten for centuries due to their wide-ranging health benefits. It’s a no-brainer to incorporate flax seeds and flaxseed oil into your daily wellness routine. 

Flax seeds provide a hearty dose of protein and fiber, and their stellar nutrient profile makes for an oil that boasts some additional health benefits.

Flaxseed oil’s high nutritional value has driven our team at Ultimate Nutrition to formulate our own organic flaxseed oil supplements.

What Is Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseed oil is made from flax seeds that have been ground and then pressed into oil. The oil has gained popularity as an essential supplement due to its wide-ranging benefits. 

Although many of flaxseed oil’s benefits haven’t been proven conclusively, the oil has two components that make it notable concerning your health: omega-3 fatty acids and ALA. Both Omega-3s and ALA, in particular, have been used for generations to help our mind and body function at their best.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your body to function and offer some noteworthy health benefits like lowering your chances of heart disease, curbing joint pain, and lessening the symptoms of depression.

In the world of wellness, omega-3s are most closely associated with fish oil, but the essential fatty acids can also come from flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed Oil vs. Fish Oil

Fish oil and flaxseed oil each contain an impressive amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The main omega-3s in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), yet there’s a third kind specific to flaxseed oil; alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). 

All three omega-3s, EPA, DHA, and ALA, have similar health benefits, but some are exclusive to each kind. Taking fish oil supplements and flaxseed oil can provide your body with all the essential fatty acids your body needs.

ALA: Flaxseed Oil’s Omega-3

ALA is known for possessing antioxidant properties. People turn to supplements containing ALA with the intent of improving a variety of health conditions. Although most studies on the benefits of ALA have been inconclusive, the acid continues to be used extensively by health and wellness enthusiasts. 

Because flaxseed oil is derived from the flax plant, it’s seen as the plant-based omega-3. If you’re hesitant to consume fish oils due to dietary restrictions but still want to ensure you’re taking in healthy levels of fatty acids, turn to flaxseed oil.

When you choose to add flaxseed oil to your diet in addition to other supplements, you’re simply covering your bases.

stock image of fish oil gel capsules

What is Flaxseed Oil Good for?

The benefits of flaxseed oil are widespread, affecting your physical and mental health in multiple ways. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or not, adding flaxseed oil supplementation to your regimen can make a huge difference to how you feel day to day. We’ve laid out the top ways flaxseed oil can potentially benefit your mind and body.

benefits of flaxseed oil by ultimate nutrition

Lowers Inflammation

Because flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, it’s been studied in reducing inflammation. Although studies in humans have offered mixed results, one animal study published in 2013 found flaxseed oil offered impressive inflammation-lowering benefits. 

Improves Skin

Flaxseeds' abilities to reduce inflammation also pertain to your skin. Skin cell inflammation can cause your skin to feel uncomfortable, especially in harsh weather conditions. The antioxidant ALA, found in flaxseed oil, is known for protecting and regenerating skin cells.

If you’ve been struggling with breakouts or extra irritated skin, try adding flaxseed oil to your regimen. Skincare isn’t only about face creams and washes; it’s also affected by what you put on the inside.

Promotes Heart Health

Flax seeds are considered one of the best plant-based sources of heart-healthy omega-3s. Because flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil supplements are known for keeping your heart strong and pumping regularly.

EPA and DHA are essential compounds for promoting a healthy heart and preventing heart disease. Additionally, the antioxidant found in flaxseeds, ALA, is converted to EPA and DHA in the body, providing some extra support to a hard-working heart.

Improves Gut Health

Flaxseed oil has been shown to improve gut health by working as a laxative and helping to change your gut bacteria. The oil can help relieve constipation and several symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that cause discomfort.

A recent study involving mice found that fermentation of flaxseed fibers in the gut may change gut bacteria to improve your metabolic health. Your gut contains trillions of microbes (also called flora, bacteria, or bugs) that make up your microbiome. If we don’t have a diverse and adequate amount of bacteria, you can find adverse impacts on your mental and physical health.

Flaxseed is high in fiber and contains a gummy material called mucilage, both of which expand when they come in contact with water. Fiber and mucilage add bulk to stool and help it move more quickly through the intestines.

Adding flaxseed oil to your daily supplementation can diversify your microbiome and ease digestion, improving overall gut health.

Suppresses Appetite

Flaxseed contains a soluble fiber (a fiber that absorbs water in the gut). It’s thought that this kind of fiber promotes the feeling of fullness. Feeling full and having a suppressed appetite can help you during a cut or in any circumstance where you’re trying to feel full for longer or achieve weight loss. 

person glass of water

Taking Flaxseed Oil

Benefitting from flaxseed oil is as simple as adding it to your daily routine as you would any other supplement.

At Ultimate Nutrition, we offer flaxseed oil in soft gel tablets that you can take daily with your other vitamins and supplements. We’re happy to make flaxseed oil’s high nutritional value accessible to our health-conscious customers.

Using flaxseed oil to improve your physical and mental well-being is something we want to support you through. There is no specific recommendation for how much flaxseed oil per day is best. Still, our gel capsules contain 1000mg of natural certified organic flaxseed oil, which is considered a healthy amount.

You can take Ultimate Nutrition supplements knowing you’re in good hands; ​​the hands of our team of expert scientists and formulators who specialize in health and wellness.

Maven Nzeutem

Comments

Flax seeds
are truly nature’s tiny powerhouses! Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants, they offer a myriad of health benefits. I love incorporating them into my morning smoothies for an extra nutritional boost. The versatility of flax seeds makes them a staple in my kitchen – from adding them to yogurt to using them as an egg substitute in baking. It’s amazing how something so small can have such a big impact on well-being. Great blog post on the wonders of flax seeds

— the boyo