Lower Cholesterol with Flax Seeds

Check this out, numerous studies show that adding one tablespoon a day of ground flax seeds to your diet can significantly lower your total cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol.

Not only that, ground flax seeds are high in fiber, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. It's those omega-3s that make these little seeds a powerful anti-inflammatory.

What about whole flax seeds? Whole seeds don't work as well. They need to be ground otherwise they pass through the digestive system undigested.

What about flax seed oil? The oil doesn't have the same effect. Why? Because oil is devoid of fiber. Fiber is your blood's vacuum cleaner. It binds to circulating fats and transports them directly to your body's waste depot before they can stick to your arteries.

What about flax seed supplements? Again, not as good as the real seeds thanks to the lack of fiber. Also, supplements contain fillers and aren't regulated by the FDA so you really don't know what you're getting.

How to Incorporate Fiber into Your Diet
Do it slowly. Flax seeds are high in fiber, so it's best to start with a small amount (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon), then work up to a full tablespoon over the course of a couple of weeks.

How to Eat Ground Flax Seeds:
Add to oatmeal for breakfast
Use them as a cereal topper
Add to a smoothie
Add to bread, muffin, pancake and waffle recipes
Use as an egg replacer in baked goods (For one egg: add 1T of ground flax seeds to 3 T of water, stir and let sit for a few minutes, use as you would eggs)
Stir a little into your yogurt
Sprinkle some on a bowl of fruit

For best results, add ground flax seeds to a well balanced, diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

You can usually find ground flax seeds in the natural foods section of your local grocery store and in a health food chains such as Sprouts, Sunflowers, Mother's and Whole Foods.