Already known in ancient times, native to the Middle East and widespread throughout the Mediterranean basin, where its cultures date back to Babylon as early as 3000 BC, the Flax Linum usitatissimum, an annual herbaceous plant, with large sky-blue flowers, was already well known not only for the fabrics obtained from its fibers, but for the known beneficial properties of its seeds from which it is extracted by cold pressing, an oil for both food and cosmetic use.
The oil obtained is one of the major concentrated sources of essential omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (alpha-linoleic acid) which is then converted into the active forms EPA and DHA, which we know are so essential for health, associated with benefits on the organism linked in particular to their anti-inflammatory action, to the maintenance of cardiovascular health and protection and to the brain against aging. It also contains omega 6, (linoleic acid) very important fatty acids (if taken in the due physiological proportions) because, being among the components of cell membranes, they are necessary for the correct functionality of the tissues, to optimize the inflammatory response by the body. , with the formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes (pro-inflammatory action), and are essential for both growth and brain development. It contains monounsaturated oleic acid such as omega 9, which are non-essential fatty acids that are important protective characteristics on the cardiovascular system, at the level of LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, but there is also a component of saturated fat such as stearic and palmitic acid.
The antioxidant activity of oil obtained from flax seeds is favored by the content of vitamin E (17.5 mg per 100 g), vitamin C, vitamins B, with a good presence of lecithin, a set of phospholipids necessary for the good functioning of the nervous system and brain, lignans (phenolic antioxidants) as well as numerous minerals such as magnesium, potassium and selenium as well as mucilage and dietary fiber. Known in traditional medicine as a "laxative", it is a good regulator of the intestinal peristaltic function and has good anti-inflammatory properties, also useful in cases of hemorrhoids.
But its best known and well-known beneficial properties on the body are related to the polyunsaturated fatty acids of linseed oil that can affect the health and efficiency of various organic districts and systems of our body, carrying out a nutritional and antioxidant action:
cardiovascular protection: omega 3 and 6 fatty acids present in a balanced manner, regulate the heartbeat and prevent the onset of cardio-vascular diseases. The influential properties are known to keep cardiovascular parameters more in balance, in particular on "bad" LDL cholesterol and help to dispose of triglycerides, keeping the arteries "cleaner".
lecithin, vitamins B and E and essential fatty acids are very important for the functioning of the nervous system, where they improve focus and memory, preserving the brain structures in the phases of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
soothing action on the gastrointestinal mucous membranes, thanks to the mucilages present, which exert a modulating action on the peristalsis gently laxative on the intestine, without irritating it (such as common laxatives), thanks to its emollient effect on the stool, but at the same time also acts as an antidiarrheal agent ;
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory action, correlated not only with the presence of omega 3 fatty acids, but also thanks to the presence of lecithin and vitamin E, which also give a significant boost to the anti-inflammatory activity.
Already known in ancient times, native to the Middle East and widespread throughout the Mediterranean basin, where its cultures date back to Babylon as early as 3000 BC, the Flax Linum usitatissimum, an annual herbaceous plant, with large sky-blue flowers, was already well known not only for the fabrics obtained from its fibers, but for the known beneficial properties of its seeds from which it is extracted by cold pressing, an oil for both food and cosmetic use.
The oil obtained is one of the major concentrated sources of essential omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (alpha-linoleic acid) which is then converted into the active forms EPA and DHA, which we know are so essential for controlling cholesterol and more.
The antioxidant activity of oil obtained from flax seeds is favored by the content of vitamin E (17.5 mg per 100 g), vitamin C, vitamins B, with a good presence of lecithin, a set of phospholipids necessary for the good functioning of the nervous system and brain, lignans (phenolic antioxidants) as well as numerous minerals such as magnesium, potassium and selenium as well as mucilage and dietary fiber.
