Eating flaxseed may help cut your cholesterol, according to a recent research review.
Sifting through 28 studies (with a total of more than 1,500 participants), investigators found that consumption of flaxseed was linked to significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. However, flaxseed did not appear to considerably alter levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. What's more, flaxseed's cholesterol-lowering effects were more apparent in females (especially postmenopausal women) and people with higher cholesterol levels.
Rich in fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed has been shown to benefit people with diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and high blood pressure in previous studies.
Since whole flaxseeds may pass through your intestine undigested, nutrition experts often suggest grinding flaxseed (in a coffee grinder, for instance) before adding it to cereals, smoothies, and other foods.
Flaxseeds are an interesting products as related to cardiovascular health. The research I have seen suggests that flaxseed oil does not lower cholesterol, while the whole flaxseed does. This suggests that the cholesterol-lowering properties of flaxseed is not found in the ALA Omega-3s (which may have other heart healthy benefits), but in the lignans (a phytoesrogen) and the soluble fiber. I am interested in reference to any other research on this issue. If you know of any, feel free to email to rleighton@kardeanutrition.com