Some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil, might benefit people with heart disease. Early research also suggests that flaxseed might help lower high blood pressure, which plays a role in heart disease.
Women with breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer or endometriosis should ask their doctor before taking flaxseed, because it may act like estrogen in the body. Some researchers think pregnant women should not take flaxseed, because it may act like estrogen in the body.
06/11Flaxseed
Flaxseed helps unclog arteries due to its high fiber content. It also contains an omega-3 acid which reduces inflammation and controls high blood pressure.
Flaxseed contains the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid. This acid may help prevent and treat hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It may also reduce total blood cholesterol. It may help reduce inflammatory conditions.
Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. Flaxseed may also help lower total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
“But consuming too much ground flaxseed may cause gastrointestinal distress including bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. There have also been reports of intestinal blockage.
Taken at bedtime, consuming flax seeds can increase your levels of fatty acids, which may help in fighting heart diseases by regulating blood cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.
Optimal Vitamin K2 intake is crucial to avoid the calcium plaque buildup of atherosclerosis, thus keeping the risk and rate of calcification as low as possible.
How Much Flax Should I Use? For ground or whole flaxseed, it's typically recommended to eat about two tablespoons a day to get adequate amounts of ALA into your system. And in oil form, around one to two teaspoons a day. However, the actual amount should be discussed with your doctor or other health professionals.
Some of the best nuts and seeds for your heart include- almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds.
Flaxseeds are rich in dietary fibre, but a sudden increase in consumption can increase the number of bowel movements. You may also experience stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
Flaxseed, like any fiber supplement, should be taken with plenty of water, as it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, cause an intestinal blockage.
Change in total, LDL and HDL cholesterol after 7 days consumption of a control diet, a Flax drink diet and a Flax bread diet. Total and LDL cholesterol was significantly reduced after the Flax drink and Flax bread diets compared to control (p < 0.05) (n = 17 for Control and Flax bread; n = 16 for Flax drink).
There are no quick fixes for melting away plaque, but people can make key lifestyle changes to stop more of it accumulating and to improve their heart health. In serious cases, medical procedures or surgery can help to remove blockages from within the arteries.
The key is lowering LDL and making lifestyle changes.
"Making plaque disappear is not possible, but we can shrink and stabilize it," says cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cannon, a Harvard Medical School professor. Plaque forms when cholesterol (above, in yellow) lodges in the wall of the artery.
Magnesium supplementation can inhibit atherosclerotic plaque formation in animals on high-fat diets. More recent human studies have revealed strong associations between low magnesium levels and higher heart disease risks. This demonstrates that magnesium can be a powerful protective measure to maintain heart health.
One of the best ways to unclog arteries filled with plaque is to work out daily. Cardiovascular workouts like jogging, cycling, swimming, and brisk walking does wonders in reducing heart health risks and plaque.
There is research showing that flaxseed is an effective laxative. 8 You'll probably see the results and loosening of stool within 12 to 24 hours after taking flaxseed. Be sure to drink water throughout the day to help relieve the constipation.
To improve digestion, it is best to grind flax seeds before consuming them. You can further improve digestion by soaking ground flax seeds in water for a few hours before consumption. Soaking the flax seeds breaks down gluten and makes the proteins in the seeds easier to digest.
You can consume flax seeds both in the morning and at night. However, some of their benefits might be more effective at different times. For example, consuming them in the morning is a good idea since it's high in fibre and protein. It will also boost your metabolism quite well that way.