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For some time now flax has been known to have a variety of beneficial health effects.  Flax seeds contain lignans and Omega-3 fatty acids in high levels.  Lignans are beneficial for the heart, have anti-cancer effects, and in some studies have been shown to reduce the growth of tumors.  On the other hand, flax has also been shown to help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics.

Most importantly, flax has also become renowned for its high fiber content.  Flax is therefore useful as a laxative.  For individuals suffering from chronic constipation associated with IBS or other gastrointestinal diseases, flax can be a useful addition to the dietary regime.

Recently, however, a new study has shown that flax may also be the key to lowering cholesterol among men without the use of drugs.  By simply sprinkling a few flaxseeds onto their meals each day, sufferers from high cholesterol may be able to reduce their levels.
In a study led by food scientists, ninety people diagnosed with high cholesterol were given flaxseed lignin.  The results showed that adding 150 milligrams to your diet per day, a mere three tablespoons of flax, decreased cholesterol levels.

Unfortunately, this decrease was only observable in men.  Women did not seem to benefit from the additional flax seed in this regard after a course of three months.  Scientists suggest that more research is needed in order to determine why exactly the flax had no effect on women’s cholesterol levels.

And while the flax didn’t decrease cholesterol as much even for the men as cholesterol lowering drugs can, the results are still important.  Some people actually cannot take the usual cholesterol lowering drug Lipitor and therefore could benefit from this other option.  Moreover, some people are simply less inclined to rely on pharmaceuticals and would rather attempt to improve their health more naturally.
High cholesterol affects approximately 17 percent of Americans today.  Cholesterol is a fat like substance that contributes to heart disease, clogged arteries and other serious illnesses.  As such, if a few sprinkles per day can help lower cholesterol levels, it seems silly not to try it out.

For those who can’t or would rather not take pharmaceutical medication, or for those on the verge of having high blood pressure but not yet in a high risk zone, flax might just be the best answer around.  And while its cholesterol lowering effects at present seem to be restricted to men, women can still benefit from the other health inducing effects of flax.