The Amazing Link Between Flaxseed and Diabetes Naturally Treated Revealed

The Amazing Link Between Flaxseed and Diabetes Naturally Treated Revealed

A simple seed but so many benefits. If flaxseed is not part of your diet, you are missing out whether you have diabetes or not. For diabetics, there is an amazing connection between flaxseed and diabetes for those looking for a natural cure (type 2 diabetes) or a way to control blood sugar levels naturally.

The many health benefits of flaxseed

Before cotton became affordable, flax (Linum usitatissimum)also called linseed, has a fibrous stem that was woven into fabric and is still used today, although cotton predominates, but the oil extracted from the linseed has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It wasn't until about a thousand years ago that people began eating flax seeds for health and well-being. The health benefits of flax seeds include but are not limited to;

1. Cancer

Flaxseeds contain the most lignans compared to other plants. The amount of lignans in flaxseed is about 7 times higher than that of its nearest competitor (sesame) and even 3,200 more than in peanuts.

Lignans contain very powerful antioxidants that are crucial in preventing the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that, in order to stabilize or “heal” themselves, “steal” particles from healthy cells, but this only results in more free radicals being created. The effects of free radicals on the body are believed to increase the risk of developing various chronic diseases and conditions including cancer.

Lignans are particularly beneficial in reducing the risk ofBreast cancer. Estrogen, the female hormone, can stimulate the growth of cancer, but in addition to antioxidant benefits, lignans also contain phyto(plant) estrogens, which mimic the effects of estrogen produced by the body but are less potent.

These chemically weaker phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the body and this helps stop the effects of the much stronger estrogen produced by the body on the body, allowing excessive amounts of this much stronger estrogen to be excreted from the body, helping to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Studies have shown that women who consumed lignan reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by about 62 percent compared to women who did not consume lignan.

Lignans are also beneficial for combatingProstate canceras shown in various research studies.

Other cancer-fighting properties of flaxseed come from the polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the fiber they contain. These compounds, in addition to lignans, help promote health and well-being and reduce the risk of developing various diseases, including cancer. The anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseed also help protect against cancer and many other chronic diseases.

2. Heart attack

In addition to providing antioxidant benefits, lignans, as previously mentioned, are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, of which alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the main type and ALA is able to reduce the risk of a fatal heart attack.

3. Cholesterol

Flaxseed is also able to reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is dangerous and can lead to heart disease. Flaxseeds are rich in a type of soluble fiber that is beneficial to the body and is called . are knownmucus. This mucus is tied to the cholesterol-lowering properties of flaxseed.

4. Kidney disease

Research has shown that the lignans and omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseeds are able to reverse kidney damage caused by lupus, an autoimmune disease.

5. Hot flashes

The lignans or phytoestrogens contained in flax seeds may be beneficial for women struggling with the various symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. Menopausal women's estrogen levels usually begin to decline and instead of hormone therapy, phytoestrogens are a natural alternative as they can be used to replace some of this estrogen that is no longer produced by the body, as estrogen can help reduce the severity of hot flashes and phytoestrogens can help with this.

Flaxseed and diabetes

Soluble fiber galore

The connection between flaxseed and diabetes is related to the previously discussed mucus, which is soluble fiber present in large quantities in flaxseed. This soluble fiber has been shown in various studies to be able to lower blood sugar levels, which is important for not only treating but also curing diabetes naturally.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce the hormone insulin or does not produce enough of it, or the insulin produced becomes inefficient and/or ineffective (insulin resistance), which leads to the accumulation of glucose or sugar in the blood. Insulin is designed to remove this glucose from the blood and transfer it to the various cells of the body, where it is used as fuel or energy for daily activities.

When insulin cannot do its job, this buildup of glucose in the blood can increase the risk of developing diabetes or lead to diabetes-related complications (heart and kidney disease, limb amputations, diabetic coma, etc.).

One aspect of treating diabetes naturally is to follow an adjusted diabetic diet to control the amount of glucose deposited in the blood.

This is the amazing thing about flaxseed and why it is so important for treating diabetes naturally. The soluble fiber in flaxseed helps slow digestion, meaning it slows the digestion of the carbohydrates and sugars in the food we eat and their conversion into glucose, which is deposited into the bloodstream, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes. This shows the importance of flax seeds in treating diabetes naturally.

If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, one of the ways you can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes is to increase your intake of this soluble fiber.

weight loss

Another connection between flaxseed and diabetes is weight loss. Many people with diabetes, especially those with type 2 diabetes, are overweight. Controlling your weight is an important aspect of natural diabetes management and this is another area where flaxseed can help.

In addition to soluble fiber, linseed also contains insoluble fiber (roughage). Both types of fiber are important for weight loss because they help you feel full faster and stave off hunger pangs for longer, which can help you eat less and reach your weight loss goals. Overweight diabetics trying to lose weight should always increase their fiber intake for the reasons mentioned, and flaxseed can help with this.

It's also important to remember that many people with type 2 diabetes also struggle with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc., and as mentioned, flaxseed can also help with these various health problems.

The link between flaxseed and diabetes shown above makes this amazing seed crucial and an important part of any diabetic diet.

Get the best out of it

1. Flaxseed oil and diabetes

Flaxseed oil is made from the seeds and many people skip the seeds and reach for the oil, but you may want to think again. You may want to pass on the oil because, firstly, you won't get the essential fiber and secondly, because while the oil may contain some health properties, most of the lignans, proteins and minerals are found in the actual seeds and not the oil. Since you need fiber as a diabetic, pass on the oil and go for the seeds instead.

Flaxseed oil is also highly perishable and must be stored in the refrigerator after opening.

2. Must be processed

Flaxseeds are available in two varieties, i.e. brown flax and golden flax (also known as yellow flax), which generally have similar nutritional compositions.

While some people like to sprinkle whole flaxseeds on salads or freshly baked bread, the body cannot process whole flaxseeds. They simply pass through the body undigested, meaning you don't get the full benefits of flaxseed, including soluble fiber.

Flaxseeds need to be processed, but the ground flaxseeds go rancid very quickly. Therefore, keep them in the refrigerator but do not use them after about 30 days. While you can easily find ground flaxseed in grocery stores, it is not as fresh as freshly ground flaxseed. So consider purchasing a cheap spice or coffee grinder or other seed grinding tool so that you can grind and have two tablespoons or more of whole flax seeds fresh daily for smoothies, oatmeal, sprinkled on hot or cold cereal, sprinkled on salads, etc.

While ground flaxseeds (flaxseed meal) will last no longer than about 30 days in the refrigerator, whole flaxseeds can last 6 to 12 months or 1 to 2 years when stored in the refrigerator.

Safety precautions

Flaxseed is generally safe, but contains a tiny amount of cyanide, which is not enough to harm an adult but could potentially harm a fetus or infant. Therefore, avoid flax seeds if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and do not give them to children under two years old.

The tiny amount of cyanide in flaxseed should not be harmful to most people if you only consume the recommended daily amount of 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed. It is also important to remember that there are usually very small amounts of cyanide that are constantly present in human tissue and are constantly being metabolized, so the cyanide in flaxseed should not be a real cause for concern. Other plants such as cruciferous vegetables also contain small amounts of cyanide.

One tablespoon of flaxseed contains about 5 to 6 milligrams of cyanide, but for cyanide to be dangerous to the human body, it would have to be in amounts of at least 1,000 milligrams.

Other precautions with flaxseed relate to allergic reactions. Some people may be allergic to flaxseed and if so, stop use or reduce the dose.

Some people may also experience bloating and bloating when consuming flaxseed for the first time. In this case, start with small amounts and build up gradually.

Inspired by Terry Robbins