Dorothy FarrarLinseed oil
Flaxseed oil is extracted from the individual flax seeds. The cold-pressed oil is known for its content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
This is what you should know about linseed oil
Flaxseed oil is a vegetable oil obtained from oil flaxseed. Oil flax is also known as common flax or flax. It is a crop that has been cultivated for centuries to obtain oil or fiber. Flax comes from the flax family.
It is an annual plant that grows between 20 centimeters and one meter tall. The plant forms spindle-shaped taproots with fine lateral roots. The main root is just as long as the individual shoot roots. The individual stems are erect and branched only in the area of the inflorescence. The small leaves are alternate and have a smooth edge. A panicle-like whorl develops at the top of the stem during flowering.
The individual flowers are quite large in relation to the thin stems. They grow up to two centimeters wide. Most often, the flowers are light blue in color. They rarely appear purple, pink or white. The erect fruit stalks carry spherical to ovoid capsules. Each of these capsules contains five pouches, each containing two seeds.
The flax seeds are on average five millimeters long and three millimeters wide. The color differs depending on the variety. The small seeds can be light yellow or dark brown. All flaxseeds have a shiny and smooth surface in common. Flax seed coat is quite thin and consists of five layers.
The outer layer, the epidermis, can form mucilage. Further layers of the seed coat consist of ring cells, stone cells and transverse cells. The innermost layer, the pigment layer, gives the seeds their color. The cells of the endosperm layer, like the cotyledons of the plant, contain proteins and oil. Linseed oil is obtained by cold pressing or hot pressing.
importance to health
Flax seeds are known for their digestive properties. The seeds contain mucilage. They act as swelling agents in the intestine . In the intestinal tract, they bind water and swell up. This increases the volume of the intestinal contents.
Stretch receptors are located in the intestinal walls. These register the stretching of the intestinal wall. The increased volume of the intestinal contents irritates the receptors, so that the intestinal motility is increased. Digestion is stimulated.
The fatty oil in flaxseeds also lubricates the intestinal walls. This makes it easier for the intestinal contents to be transported further. Because of these effects, flaxseed is a proven herbal remedy for constipation . The linseed oil alone can also be used for indigestion .
Initial studies also indicate that linseed oil could be used to prevent prostate , colon and breast cancer .
The omega-3 fatty acid linolenic acid, which is contained in high concentrations in linseed oil, is said to have a preventive effect on coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis . Omega-3 fatty acids lower cholesterol and blood pressure . The aggregation of blood platelets is also prevented. In addition, inflammatory processes in the body are inhibited. These factors have a positive effect on the health of the cardiovascular system .
Ingredients & nutritional values
Flaxseeds are very oily. Depending on the variety, degree of ripeness and environmental conditions, the seeds have an oil content of between 30 and 44 percent. The main component of the oil is the unsaturated linolenic acid. Almost 70 percent of all oil is made up of linolenic acid.
Linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid. No other vegetable oil contains as many omega-3 fatty acids as linseed oil. Other components of linseed oil are linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.
Linseed has a crude protein content of up to 30 percent. It mainly contains essential amino acids such as lysine, tryptophan and methionine. Important secondary components of the small seeds are the cyanogenic glycosides lotaustralin and linamarin.
intolerances
Linseed is considered a gentle remedy for constipation . However, it should be noted that too high a dose of flaxseed can lead to hydrocyanic acid poisoning. The cyanogenic glycosides lotaustralin and linamarin are converted to hydrocyanic acid in the body. The daily dose of flaxseed should therefore not exceed 45 grams. Only a small part of the glycosides goes into the oil. The recommended daily dose of linseed oil is around 15 milliliters. This equates to a large tablespoon.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Linseed oil should always be bought freshly pressed if possible. Once opened and at room temperature, the oil quickly becomes rancid. It should therefore always be kept in the refrigerator and used up quickly after opening.
Linseed oil has a very low freezing point. It is still liquid even at temperatures as low as -20 ° Celsius. It can therefore also be stored in the freezer. The valuable ingredients are also preserved during this storage.
preparation tips
Linseed oil can simply be taken pure to maintain health. Recommended is the preparation according to the oil-protein diet of the chemist Dr. Johanna Budwig. Here, 125 grams of low-fat quark are mixed with one to two tablespoons of milk , one tablespoon of honey and three tablespoons of linseed oil. Quark with linseed oil is also traditionally served with boiled potatoes in many areas.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.