Today, many no longer remember such oil, although it used to be the pride of the agricultural industry. So, flaxseed oil – what are its benefits?
As mentioned in the article about different types of oils, it contains a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is an excellent external source of valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which is the essence of the usefulness of this oil. These chemical compounds are good because they lower the level of cholesterol in our blood, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and prevent the development of myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots.
In addition to Omega 3 and 6, it contains almost the entire complex of vitamin B, vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and growth factor. We can say that this is a storehouse of health and must be taken. It contains in large quantities such substances necessary for the human body as protein, zinc, lecithin, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B, E and F. The oil not only helps to lose weight, but also improves the structure of hair, nails and skin.
Considering the benefits of flaxseed oil for hair, here is several recipes for hair masks:
1. For split ends.
Mix 150 ml of linseed oil and 100 g of chopped fresh burdock root. Leave the mixture to infuse for a day in a warm place. Then boil in a water bath for 15-20 minutes, stirring. Apply the filtered mixture of linseed oil and burdock root to hair for 1-1,5 hours and rinse.
2. For brittle hair.
Prepare a mask in the proportion of 1 chicken egg yolk per 1 tbsp. a spoonful of warm linseed oil. Beat and apply to hair for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
3. For dry hair.
Mix 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Then apply the resulting mask to the hair for 15-20 minutes and rinse with running water.
Making hair masks 2-4 times a month, after a few months, you will see the result.
Speaking of benefits of oil for skin I would like to note that linseed oil softens and moisturizes the skin, restoring its elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Flaxseed oil is indicated for use in dry skin:
1. Mask for aging skin
For aging skin, mix a tablespoon of crushed flax seeds with the same amount of powdered milk and honey and add two tablespoons of water. Mix well and add in small portions one ampoule of vitamins A and C water.
2. Mask for dry skin
For dry skin with signs of peeling, such a mask is ideal: grind egg yolk with half a teaspoon of honey, add three to four drops of linseed oil and ten drops of lemon juice. Beat the mixture until foamy and add a teaspoon of oatmeal ground in a coffee grinder.
3. Mask for oily skin
For oily skin and the T-zone of combination skin, the following mask is effective: mix a tablespoon of wheat flour with three tablespoons of kefir, a teaspoon of linseed oil, a small pinch of salt and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. If you get too thick mass, you must additionally dilute with kefir. Apply the mask for fifteen minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. It perfectly removes oily shine, narrows enlarged pores, and is an excellent tonic.
Considering 3 oils (soybean, flaxseed, fish oil) in terms of the presence of Omega-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids, so necessary for our body, we can say that:
1st place is taken by linseed oil;
2nd place – fish oil;
3rd place – soybean oil.
The most important components of flaxseed oil are fatty acids:
– alpha-linolenic acid – 60% (Omega-3);
– linoleic acid – 20% (Omega-6);
– oleic acid – 10% (Omega-9);
– other saturated fatty acids – 10%.
It is worth noting that polyunsaturated fatty acids are a structural unit of cell membranes and especially cells and fibers of nerve tissue. That is, flaxseed oil is very useful and irreplaceable for the heart and nerves. Those who constantly take flaxseed oil note an increase in stress resistance, good mood and mood. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of oil daily on an empty stomach. Can be diluted with kefir or taken with brown bread crust. Or you can just add flaxseed oil to your salad.
Next, we will show how to choose the right flaxseed oil.
When buying, you need to pay attention to the expiration date (since the product is not permanently stored), the color of the bottle should be dark so that the light does not penetrate the bottle. It is important that the oil is cold pressed, since during hot pressing the oil heats up to 120 degrees and loses many of its qualities and is used in technical production.
How to store flaxseed oil properly.
Flaxseed oil must be stored in the refrigerator in the door (+5 – +9 degrees). The main thing is not to freeze and not hit the light.
How to eat flaxseed oil properly.
It is not suitable for frying, however, it is very suitable for salad dressing, for porridge and carries useful properties. 1 tablespoon a day is sufficient.
How flaxseed oil helps you lose weight.
The oil improves metabolic processes in the body, improves digestion, and, accordingly, helps to lose weight. Oil is especially effective when combined with exercise. The only clarification is that all the beneficial properties of the oil “work” if a person leads an active lifestyle and eats right. For those who have given up fish (for example, vegetarians), oil can fully replace it, thanks to its polyunsaturated acids.