Everyone Benefits from Flaxseed!

As I arrived into my mid-40's, I noticed some changes in myself that I didn't like...and usually my family had to put up w/them more than I did. If you know what I mean. :-/ "The Change" was upon me. I had never realized before how many women I know who have had hysterectomies and who are NOT going through natural menopause! I can't even go to my own mother and ask advice ("Is what I'm going through normal?!") because even SHE has had one! So, I decided that, since I do NOT want to go the medical HR route, as that has been directly related to breast cancer, I needed to do some real research on dealing w/these issues.

Around that time, I was looking through the book section of my trusty Urban Homemaker (Marilyn Moll) catalogue. There, I found a great book that was one of the most helpful recommendations I've ever gotten.

In the catalogue, Before the Change ~ Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Ann Louise Gittleman, MS., C.N.S., was reviewed as "The author writes some of the clearest, most common sense better-health books available, & this new title [at that time] is no exception. She explains the symptoms of perimenopause & offers a self-diagnosis quiz, details safe & natural alternatives to hormone therapy, including healing vitamins, minerals, herbs & natural hormones. I like the ways she uses nutritional information to address the many various symptoms associated w/perimenopause. Highly recommended." If Marilyn highly recommended it, I had to see it!

In many cases, Gittleman said that her 1st recommendation is often flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil & progesterone cream. I tried this cocktail & it was one of the best choices I've ever made! In the next few posts, I'll fill you in on some of the benefits of each...

The 1st part of this experiment is flaxseed oil. Most people have heard of flaxseeds, many even sprinkle them on their hot cereal or cottage cheese - did you know that the whole seeds do your body no good? Our bodies cannot digest or assimilate them - we need to either take the oil (by the tablespoon or in soft-gel capsules) or use the flaxseed meal (like I use in my bread).

Not only does flaxseed benefit women, but it's good for everyone ~ but particularly women in the child-bearing years & ESPECIALLY women in the change of life years. Some people will take fish oil for the Omega 3's & some 6's, but flaxseed oils have 3's, 6's, 9's AND lignons! Lignons are cancer fighters, many plants have some lignans, but flaxseed has at least 75 times more than almost any other plant. They not only fight existing cancers can but were shown to fight off even on-coming new tumors in animal studies. They help w/fighting hot flashes & night sweats. And, get this: They are also antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral!

Flaxseed has been shown to help with: Heart disease, heart arrhythmia, high cholesterol, angina, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, stroke, lupus-related kidney damage, low immunity, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, fingernail problems, constipation, diarrhea, hot flashes, gout, migraines, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, sunburn, arthritis and sciatica. It has also been shown to help w/hair, skin, nails & even eye health.

So, you can see why I say that flaxseed (oil or meal) benefits everyone! My husband & I take a TB of the oil everyday. My DD's don't like the oily feel, so that's when I began putting flaxseed meal in my bread, so that they would get the benefits, too.

Next time, I will give you some info on Evening Primrose Oil ~ Every woman's friend. '-)

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

[This is not meant to be taken as medical adice; simply what has worked for my family & why we use it.]