As well as being a good source for omega-3 and omega-6, there are many other reasons to include flaxseed oil in the daily diet. There are many flaxseed oil vitamins that are essential for physical and mental health. The different types of flaxseed oil vitamins include vitamins B complex and K, which are found in abundance, as well as vitamins C, A and E. All of these vitamins make flaxseed oil a popular nutritional supplement.
Perhaps the most important of the flaxseed oil vitamins are B1, B2, B12, folic acid and niacin, collectively known as the vitamin B complex. B vitamins are vital for the biological processes in the body such as immunity, metabolism, blood circulation and the building and repairing of cells. A deficiency in this group of vitamins affects growth and development, mental health, heart condition and other aspects of good health.
Another of the flaxseed oil vitamins is vitamin K. This vitamin is necessary for blood coagulation and bone strength. This means that wounds heal faster and bones do not break or fracture as easily if there is a good supply of vitamin K in the body.
Vitamins A, C and E are also present in flaxseed oil. Vitamin A is good for eyesight and skin disorders such as eczema, and it boosts the body’s immune system. Vitamin C is vital for bone and muscle development as well as repairing worn-out tissue, and vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that fights free radicals which can harm cells, tissues and organs. It also keeps the skin looking young and healthy.
Flaxseed oil and flax seeds have received increased attention and are considered by some people to be a "super food." Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is so-called because, although it is essential to health, it cannot be produced by the body and must be consumed. Flax seeds are one of the best vegetarian sources of omega-3.
Flax seeds are a source of polyunsaturated fat which means it is one of the healthy fats necessary for the functioning of the body and brain cells. Flax seeds are best bought whole and then ground in a blender or coffee grinder just before consuming. In this way, there is a higher fiber content, and one can receive the benefits of lignan, a naturally occurring plant estrogen. Some people, however, prefer to take flaxseed oil or supplements in capsule form because they are more convenient.
Flaxseed oil vitamins and the essential minerals that the oil contains make the flax seed a nutritional supplement that is considered by many people to be better than any synthetic vitamin. The benefits of flax seeds were well known to the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, who used the seeds to cure many ills. Modern man has re-discovered the health benefits of this seed.