Flaxseed oil, the ultimate skin cure
Flaxseed oil the ultimate skin and body hero

 

I used to love flaxseed oil – it was my cure for everything – like Windex! (My Fat Greek Wedding) ha ha!

 

Every bride and facial client who came through my door would find herself popped onto Flaxseed oil to repair skin, fight inflammation, and moisturise their skin from inside out, which would give the bride’s skin the most luminous glow for her wedding day! And other clients would watch their faces look younger within approximately 6 weeks.

 

Mothers of the bride were not safe either – I would make them take it as well much to their joy when they would look great at their daughter’s wedding!  

 

Something I would find interesting would be that many of my clients would come back to me saying that not only would their skins look and feel better but  their cholesterol reading would be better than ever before, or that their blood pressure had dropped quite significantly over the period of 6 weeks, or that their aches and pains had decrease as well.

 

Unfortunately, first coconut oil and then hemp oil became very fashionable – and I was wooed by the mass influx of information on them.

 

I became a fan of both of them – and did not link the demise of the quality of my skin to my lack of flaxseed oil consumption.

 

Whilst working on recipes for a new repair oil to add to my Everything Skin Range – I came across Flaxseed oil again – it was recommended for repairing the acid mantle on dry and acne skins.

 

I thought I would do some research on this little blue flowering plant which is also known as Linseed oil, and for many is better known as little brown seeds than as an oil which we add to our breakfast smoothie, or salad dressing or breakfast cereal.

 

Flaxseed Oil is important for whole body nutrition and is considered to be nature’s richest source of omega-3 fatty acids that are incredibly important for the health of almost every function in our body.

 

It contains omega -3, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fibre, protein, and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that horrible “fishy” after taste. And it is vegetarian and vegan friendly.

 

Some nutritionists, researchers, and scientists believe that it could be the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin. Nearly every system in the body can benefit from flaxseed oil’s natural properties, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints.

 

Flaxseed’s list of accomplishments is huge!;

 

  • Research shows that there is a low incidence of breast cancer and colon cancer in populations that have high amounts of lignan in their diet. Flax is 100 times richer in lignan than most whole grains.
  • Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides, and prevent clots in arteries, which may result in strokes, heart attacks and thrombosis.
  • Helps protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation, water retention, sticky platelets and lowered immune function.
  • Shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion.
  • Increases the body’s production of energy and also increases stamina.
  • Accelerates the healing of sprains and bruises.
  • Eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity.
  • Stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat.
  • Improves the absorption of Calcium.
  • Strengthens finger and toe nails.
  • Can improve eyesight and perception of colours.
  • Can often improve the function of the liver.
  • Can relieve the side effects and stop development of many forms of cancer.
  • Can relieve some cases of Asthma.
  • Helpful in the treatment of Eczema, Psoriasis, and Dandruff.
  • Can relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can relieve the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus.
  • Can alleviate some allergies.
  • Helps prevent Atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels, especially the large and medium-sized arteries, that many people experience during the aging process).
  • Lowers high blood pressure in Hypertension sufferers.
  • Has been scientifically proven to treat some cases of depression.
  • Can improve the mental function of many old age pensioners.
  • Can help in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
  • Has been proven to improve the behaviour of Schizophrenics.
  • Can relieve some cases of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in females.
  • Improves the skin’s cellular turnover, hydrates the skin from inside, and improves the skin’s function – therefore not only helping with dry skin, but also helping clear acne.
  • Because it supports skin regeneration – it calms eczema, soothes psoriasis, heals dermatitis and heals rosacea.

 

No wonder many clients say that it keeps them feeling calm and in control of their lives when they take it!

 

Unfortunately, our current diets do not come close to meeting our daily EFA (essential fatty acids) requirements. The richest sources of EFAs such as flaxseeds, cold-water fish, and soy and canola oils are rarely found in our regular meals.

 

In addition, more typical foods like red meats and egg yolks can actually encourage the body’s production of bad prostaglandins. Flaxseed oil can help restore the body’s natural balance of good and bad prostaglandins.

 

How much do I take a day?

 

The recommended daily dose for most people is at least 1,000 mg taken one to three times daily. This can be done in capsule form or I add a tablespoon of Flaxseed oil to my morning smoothie, and then take another 3 x 1000 mg at night – meaning I take 6000 mg daily for optimum results – but I often skip one or the other ( because I forget or don’t have a smoothie) – as long as you get 3000mg daily.

 

You can also add flaxseeds/linseed into your diet in breads, muffins or on salads. Scientific studies have used up to 30 grams of flaxseeds a day safely and without side effects. But the seeds by themselves are not going to help as much as the oil, you will actually have to eat 3 kilos per day to get enough oil.

 

Flaxseed oil is prone to rancidity. Light and oxygen will slowly breakdown the essential fatty acids. Look for flaxseed oil capsules or oil that is bottled in amber-brown bottles, as these are more resistant to the light and oxygen. Make sure you refrigerate your flax seed oil to help extend its shelf life. And preferably buy the organic version.

 

Flaxseed oil takes a bit of time to be absorbed into the body before the full beneficial effects begin, ranging anywhere from a few days to as many as six weeks, depending on your overall well-being.

 

Go ahead and try it – I promise you – you won’t regret it!

 

If you feel you would like a more one on one approach, book a Glowing Skin Appointment with me via Zoom!

 

Yvette xx

Thank you for reading my blog!

Hi! 

I am Yvette van Schie, I am a holistic beauty therapist, skin nutritionist, skincare developer and makeup artist. I am passionate about sharing real beauty advice with a whack of reality.

For over 30 years I have worked with the best in the beauty and health industry as a trainer, educator  and product formulator and I still do – so my knowledge is diverse – I am not blinkered when sharing my information with you because everyone I speak to shares what they know, and I turn it into easy to digest information because I want my readers to feel empowered to make their own decisions and to feel that they are fully in control of their beauty and well being.

 

 

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