How Flax Seeds Help

In some of our earlier posts, we recommended the use of Flax Seed Oil, but the seeds themselves may also offer relief for those with an irritable bowel. Here’s how:

Flax contains high levels of lignans, which are natural compounds that help prevent many types of cancer, including colon cancer.

Your body cannot make the essential fatty acids, Linoleic (Omega-6) or Linolenic (Omega-3) which help to ease inflammatory disorders. Instead, they must be consumed as part of your daily diet. Research has indicated that we consume too much Omega-6’s and not enough Omega-3’s, but flaxseed contains these essential fatty acids in perfect balance.

Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to absorb water, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass through the colon quickly, promoting regular bowel movements. (One ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’s reference daily intake of fiber.)

Studies have shown that just 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily helped over 60% of severely depressed women bounce back within eight weeks. Flax has a mood boosting ingredient: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential for the proper function of brain cells.

You can sprinkle ground flax seed onto your cereal and salads, or buy products that have included flax. Combined with the food and other supplement recommendations on the Colitis Diet, you can manage your bowel disease comfortably.