Flaxseed Meal a Body's Best Friend

Flaxseed Nutritional Value

Whole flax seed (ground meal, powder or intact seed) contains 28% dietary fiber, (7 – 10% soluble fiber, 11 - 18% insoluble fiber), 40% fat (73% of it being polyunsaturated fatty acids), and 21% protein.

Flax contains 2% organically-bonded minerals. It is a good source of highly absorbable potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium and boron.

It also has generous amounts of Vitamins A (Beta Carotene), B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-12, and vitamin E.

More than 50% of the fat in flax seed is an essential fatty acid called omega-3 fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA ), which makes flax seed the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acid. Flax seed is rich in antioxidants, such as lignans (also a phytosterogen) and other phenolic molecules. Unlike the ground meal and powder, flax seed oil contains no dietary fiber.

Benefits of Flaxseed in Human Health

The above list of nutrients renders flax seed to have beneficial effects on human health. The high dietary fiber in flax seed, due to its high water-holding capacity and low digestibility, increases the bulkiness and gastric emptying of stool. This in effect helps relieve constipation and other irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to that the insoluble fiber is able to act as a broom cleaning mucus and excess debris from the intestines walls.

Lignans, which are antioxidants, are also associated with lower serum cholesterol and may help reduce oxidative damage to cells and cellular molecules from free radicals. Flax seed may also lower blood glucose and improve insulin tolerance (diabetes). Whole flaxseed (powder and ground meal) may also reduce serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Flaxseed can also reduce some markers of inflammation, and raise serum levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, ALA.

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What this means for you, Potentially improving:

• Healthier Bowl
  
• Protected Tissues
• Balanced Blood sugar
• Improved Cholesterol metabolism

Featured Nutrient Terpene

D-limonene and perillyl alcohol are two chemicals that naturally occur in terpenes.

Sources:
D-limonene
Perrillyl alcohol

The Motherly Fenugreek

Potential Health Benefits: bronchial problems, estrogen imbalances, low libido, increased uterine contraction, promoting weight gain, stimulates breast growth, lowers blood glucose levels, reduces cholesterol, anti-inflammatory promotes healing of joints/throat/wounds/rashes/boils, and coats lining of stomach and intestines.

Nutrition found in Fenugreek: Diosgenin ( a phytoestrogen ), Phytosterols, mucilage, Vitamin A, Folate (B9), Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Fluroide.

Reported side effects: diarrhea and nausea.

Herbs are considered a supplement and should always be consulted with a physician before taking.

Additional Reading:
The herb Fenugreek Benefits
Fenugreek gum
Nutrition Data

Nature's Healer Manuka Honey

For centuries honey has been used for promoting health. Most honey's contain plant immune system essential oils, flavonoids, tarpenes, and polyphenols. Not surprisingly, scientists have found that the benefits vary between one variety of honey to another. In this comparative research they discovered that Manuka honey had an extra antibacterial component.

Manuka's honey's taste is not as sweet as some honey's in addition to having a slight butterscotch flavor. Not surprisingly the flavor of honey depends on the flower nectar gathered. While most honey is antibacterial because of enzymes responsible for the formation of hydrogen peroxide, the body's natural oxidative healing processes. What makes New Zealand's honey unique is that it is considered Active. This 'active' component accounts for more than a hundred-fold difference in antibacterial potency between Manuka and other honeys.

Additional Reading
Bee Lore
Benefits of Manuka Honey

Featured Nutrient Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps build the proteins responsible for blood coagulation. Therefore when injured, initiates the process of healing through the stopping of bleeding. This vitamin prevents the hardening of arteries helping avoid cardiovascular complications and allows for better circulation, delivery and removal of cellular wastes. Vitamin K is also a key factor needed for the body to absorb calcium, doing this by the Vitamin K creating the Gla proteins responsible for calcium binding.

Deficiencies could arise from disturbed intestinal uptake, Vitamin K-antagonists, as well as nutritional deficiencies.

Mentioned Foods: Cilantro, Ghee

Additional Reading:
Benefits of Vitamin K

The Sunflower Tuber, Sunchokes!

Potential Health Benefits: the prebiotic inulin has shown to build beneficial bacteria and therefor may strengthen intestinal health. Also, the high iron content makes it great for hair.

Nutrition found in Sunchokes: Inulin, Vitamin C, Mineral Phosphorus, Mineral Potassium, and Mineral Iron.

Additional Reading
eat sunchoke
Six Superfoods
Sunchoke farmer
Almost Turkish Recipes