Flax SeedThere’s some evidence the flax seed may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.
Flaxseed is found in all kinds of today's foods from crackers to frozen waffles to oatmeal. T
Flaxseed is what's used to feed all those chickens that are laying eggs with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its primary healthy reputation to three of them:
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
- Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75 to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods.
- Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.
Research indicates that flax may reduce risks of certain cancers as well as cardiovascular disease and lung disease. Cancer Recent studies have suggested that flaxseed may have a protective effect against breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. At least two of the components in flaxseed seem to contribute. In animal studies, the plant omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed, called ALA, inhibited tumor incidence and growth. | 
