Though others mistook the flax seed as a grain, they're not.
Flax seeds or linseeds originated from Mesopotamia and was long been known since the Stone Age period.
Flax was introduced and planted in North America after the arrival of the early colonists.
It was then introduced and planted in Canada in the 7th century.
Today, Canada is the leading producer of this type of seeds in the world.
The seed may seem tiny, but it's enormous when the talking point is nutrition.
Let's take a closer look at the tiny, but mighty flax seed and find out what makes it a super food.
You might want to know that flax seed is bursting with fats.
The fats that we're talking here are the ones that are essential in the promotion of health and prevention of illness.
The Omega 3 fatty acids found in the seeds provide the body with a wide array of health benefits ranging from cardiovascular protection, to the soothing of inflammation, and to the improvement of disease conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease and cancers.
One good example of omega 3 found in the seeds is the Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA), which is a precursor to the EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
The flax seed per se contains little ALA, but a high concentration of it is found in its oils.
ALA is considered "essential" because it is not readily made by the body.
Let's take a closer look on how the body can benefit from the fatty acid of the flax seed.
Firstly, Omega 3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
At the chemical level, Omega 3s promote the production of Series 1 and 2 prostaglandins.
These are hormone-like substances that inhibit inflammatory responses, in contrast to the series 2 prostaglandins, which do the opposite.
For that matter, sufferers of asthma, migraine, osteoathristis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can benefit a lot from flax seed oil.
Secondly, the Alpha linoleic acid in flax seed also aids in the promotion of bone health.
Studies have shown that a higher ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 can actually prevent excessive bone turnover and bone loss, especially in osteoporosis.
Omega 6 fatty acids are known contributors in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Another property of omega 3 in which it is known for is its cardio protective activity.
The Omega 3 fatty acids prevent the blood from clotting inside the arterial wall, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction.
Also, this essential fatty acid plays a key role in the normal rhythmic pattern of the heart, thereby promoting oxygenation to the vital organs of the body.
The omega 3 fatty acid is also known to lower down the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood (LDL).
LDL, when oxidized by free radicals, can lead to the formation and build-up of plaque in the wall of the artery, causing it to harden (atherosclerosis).
Even those who suffer from diabetes can benefit from this cardio protective property of the omega 3 in flax seed.
Fourthly, the omega 3 fatty acid in flax seed prevents colon cancer from developing by providing our colon with the protection it needs against cancer-causing toxins and free radicals.
Omega 3 also promotes normal brain functioning.