FLAX SEEDS( Alsi ke beej )---Indian and western veiw

Everything you wanted to know about FLAX.....

Here is some more useful information : Flaxseeds are known as ALSI in
Hindi, Gujarati, and Punjabi, Ali Vidai in Tamil. In Marathi, it is
also known as jawas, alashi, and linseed. In Bengali, it is known as
Tishi, in Oriya its Pesi. In Kannada, its called Agasi, and telugu
people call it Avise ginzalu. Finally, in Kerala, the Malyalis call it
Cheruchana vithu

We, in India have an amazing capacity to ignore our plant Kingdom
riches and consign them to the archives, till someone from the
developed countries publishes exciting news about the medical and
other uses of such things.

Take FLAX.

1. Read what Dr Udo Erasmus has to say about this..

Thyroid Hormone Receptors

According to Dr. Erasmus, essential fatty acids are critical to
thyroid function because, First, they are required for the integrity
of the structure for every membrane of every cell. Second, they
increase energy levels in the cell. And third, there is some evidence
that essential fatty acids, especially Omega 3s, improve the
efficiency of the hormones on the receptor sites.

To understand the importance of the receptor issue, think about the
situation of diabetes. Pre-diabetes, the condition that is considered
a marker for future diabetes, is also known as insulin resistance.
Insulin is in the body, but it isn't being utilized because saturated
fats block insulin receptor function, and ultimately receptors become
desensitized -- and ultimately immune to and unable to receive --
insulin. Essential fatty acids are required for receptor function and
can make diabetics more insulin sensitive. So diabetics taking
essential fatty acids may need less receptors, and ultimately, less
insulin.

Dr. Erasmus believes that this same mechanism takes place with other
hormonal functions, such as the androgens, pineal glands, adrenal
glands -- and specifically, the thyroid.

There are practitioners who believe that thyroid hormone resistance is
not a rare occurrence, and is actually a more common sign of impending
thyroid disease, much like insulin resistance is a precursor to
diabetes. This issue of receptors is critical, because according to
Dr. Erasmus, "With proper essential fatty acid nutrition, what will
sometime happen is that you get fewer receptors but they work better."
This would mean that proper levels of essential fatty acids might make
the thyroid hormone receptors work better, so that thyroid hormone
actually accomplishes its mission.

When thyroid function goes down, the metabolic rate goes down, and the
body burns fewer carbohydrates. Dr. Erasmus believes that people with
hypothyroidism should switch from grains and starches to green
vegetables as their primary source of carbohydrates. Green vegetables,
plus good fats and proteins, should form the core of the diet.

Sufficient essential fatty acids help increase energy and suppress
appetite, thereby aiding in weight loss. In addition, they have been
found to block the genes that produce fat in the body (saturated and
Trans Fat do not have this same effect) and increase thermogenesis --
the burning of fat.

Dr. Erasmus actually feels that Omega 3s work better than the heralded
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). He feels that CLA may have some
negative side effects, particularly at higher doses.

2. My Experience....

1.Flax seeds are one of the best sources of Omega-3 fats. In our
typical Indian vegetarian diet, one of the typical fats we miss out
on, in Omega-3 fats. Those who are fish eaters, are slightly better
off, as Fish are one of the best sources of these Omega -3 fats.

2.Essential fatty acids are a must for glandular health, and they
often improve overall health. These can be Omega-3's or Omega-6's from
marine sources, flax oil, flax seeds, black currant seed oil, evening
primrose oil or borage oil.

3.Why do we need these Omega -3 ? Well, ever heard of Cholesterol ?
Indians are notoriously prone to high levels of cholesterol and
particilarly a thing called lp(a). Its a genetic thing. The Omega-3
fats are the fats the body needs, They help to regulate your
cholesterol. Increase the HDL and lower the LDL. Omega-3 fats also
wage war on your triglyceride levels.

4.Anyone, and particularly a woman with thyroid problems, is subject
to things like weight gain, lipid abnormalities etc. It goes without
saying that if she can keep her lipid profile under control through
dietary stuff, she would really be taking care of some cardiac risk
factors as a thyroid patient. There are some lipid lowering medicines
that are actually contra-indicated if you are on thyroid medication.

5. I have myself tried using flax seeds for 1-2 months, with an
encouraging lowering of my diastolic blood pressure; it was not
alarming to start with, but when you are 50 plus, and little signs
show up here and there, you need to be on the watch.

3. HOW TO EAT FLAX SEEDS

There are a few things one needs to bear in mind while using flax
seeds . (Flax oil, as such, is not easily available in India).

Avoid eating flax seeds whole. They have the nasty habit of leaving
your body in the same condition they came in ...
Its best to lightly roast the seeds, either in a kadhai till they
start crackling (similar to til or sesame seeds). Raw Flax seeds,
contain a substance called cyanate, which can be harmful to the body
in larger quantities.
Ideally , one should grind the roasted flax seeds, This is easily done
in a grinder. The recommended amount per day, is about 1-2
tablespoons.
People who suffer from constipation, may find these a useful change.
Conversely, those whose intestines go into peristalsis at the
slightest excitement, may find that they need to take a lesser daily
quantity. (In case you are wondering what I am saying, it means that
overindulgence in these may cause increased trips to the toilet