Rheumatoid Arthritis & Flax Seed

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Flax Seed

May 23, 2011 | By Erica Jacques

Flax seed is a natural source of both omega-3 essential fatty acids. These essential fatty acids may play a role in reducing pain and stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, much of the related research is still in the early stages. Flax seed can be added to food or taken in supplement form, both forms of which offer similar benefits.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder. One of the more common types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is characterized by chronic inflammation in the body's smaller joints. This eventually leads to joint damage and deformities, often involving the hands. There is no known cause of RA, though there are many theories, which makes treating the disorder a challenge. While it can't be cured, many of its symptoms, including pain and stiffness, can be controlled through medication and lifestyle changes. One of these potential lifestyle changes for RA involves the use of dietary supplements as well as changing the way you eat.

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What's in Flax Seed?

Flax seed is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which the body needs to function but cannot make on its own. In particular, flax seed is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid. Aplha-linolenic acid, also called ALA, is converted by the body into two other well-known omega-3s. These are eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. This makes flax a primary source of alpha-linolenic acid, and a secondary source of both EPA and DHA. These omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce inflammation, one of the main causes of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. According to "Arthritis Today," flax seed is thought to reduce pain and stiffness as well as increase joint lubrication for people with RA. Whether it works or not, however, remains under investigation.

The Research

According to "Arthritis Today," there is little evidence that flax seeds themselves have a direct effect on RA symptoms. However, because they contain high amounts of omega-3s, they may play a role in controlling some of the related inflammation. The research reviewed by the University of Maryland Medical Center has primarily included small studies, but the results seem promising for the use of fish oil, another omega-3 supplement that is high in both DHA and EPA. Pain and stiffness symptoms seemed to improve for many RA sufferers using these types of omega-3s. However, the research on whether or not flax seeds offer the same benefits as fish oil is lacking.

Precautions

Flax seed supplements may help some RA symptoms, but never start any supplement without first consulting your doctor. Some over-the-counter supplements may interact with certain medications. For instance, flax seed may increase the effects of blood thinners and may also interfere with cholesterol medications. You don't have to take flax seed supplements to get the benefits of omega-3s; try using flax seed flour, or sprinkle some ground flax seeds over your food to increase your ALA intake.

References

• Arthritis Today: Supplement Guide: Flax Seed
• MayoClinic.com; Rheumatoid Arthritis; November 2009
• University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 2009

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge Last updated on: May 23, 2011

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/449007-rheumatoid-arthritis-flax-seed/#ixzz2NlPo7xL6

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/449007-rheumatoid-arthritis-flax-seed/#ixzz2NlPSZqjQ

Benefits of Honey

Honey is probably the oldest known sweetener for human kind. A healthy replacement for sugar, honey also has tremendous nutritional value and health benefits. Honey can also be used as a beauty aid and has medicinal value too. Honey is obtainable all through the year but is special in summer and fall when it is collected fresh. Read on to find out how you can partake of the benefits of honey.

Nutritional value of honey

Honey contains sugars like fructose and glucose, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur, chlorine, sodium, phosphate and iron. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B3, B5, and C are predominant in honey. Based on the quality of the nectar and the pollen, these values keep differing. Several hormones are also present in honey and apart from all these small quantities of copper, iodine and zinc are present in honey.

Benefits of honey

Health benefits

• Honey is broadly used as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.
  
  
• Honey has wonderful wound healing capacities. It can cure burns, ulcers and wounds and is used as an antiseptic curative agent.
  
  
• Honey can improve performances in athletes. The ergogenic aid present in honey helps in this.
  
  
• Honey improves blood quality by keeping a check on the free radicals.
  
  
• Honey is great substitute for sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and is good for cholesterol patients.
  
  
• Honey relieves nasal congestion, helps digestion, gives relief from cough and helps in conjunctivitis. It acts as a sleeping aid when taken with hot mug of milk.
  
  
• Honey is known to soothe tissues and help retain calcium in the body.
  
  
• Honey is known to be effective in countering anemia.
  
  
• Consumption of honey can rev up your immune system.
  

Honey as a beauty aid

• Pat your skin with honey while you go for a shower and keep patting till the honey gets really sticky, this helps improve blood circulation and lends a glow to the skin.
  
  
• Rinse your hair with honey and lime; this will add shine to your hair.
  
  
• Add ¼ teaspoon of honey to your bath and this will bring a glow to your skin.
  
  
• Mix honey with oatmeal and ground almonds, this will make for an excellent face cleansing scrub.
  
  
• When apple and honey are blend together and applied on the face for about 15 minutes, it acts as a brilliant moisturizer while also making the skin firm and soft.
  
  
• As a facial mask mix 2 tsp. of honey and 2 tsp. of milk and leave it for 10 minutes, this will get your skin glowing.
  
  
• Honey acts as a lotion for dry skin, mix ¼ tsp lemon, 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1 tsp honey and leave it for 10 minutes.
  

Flavor deserts and fruits using honey

• Honey is widely used to flavor deserts and fruits. The acidity prevailing in honey helps the fruit retain its original color. While using honey for fruits ensure that you use mild one lest the honey overpowers the fruit flavor.
  
  
• To preserve fruits for the coming winter season, add honey to the crushed or sliced fruit and freeze it. For whole fruits, add 1 cup of water and two cups of honey till the fruit is covered.
  
  
• Honey can be used as a topping for fruit puree.
  
  
• Yogurt and honey make for a great desert.
  
  
• Substitute honey for sugar while you make pancakes, it will taste great.
  
  
• Banana with some honey to top it makes for a great pudding.
  
  
• Mix honey and butter and sprinkle over your desert like cakes, this gives it a sugary and glossy look.
  

Recipe for a quick desert with honey

Fried bananas and honey

Bananas cut lengthwise
Almond flakes
Butter
Clear honey
Lemon juice

Drizzle lemon juice over the bananas. Melt butter in frying pan and cook bananas till brown on both sides. Transfer to serving plate, add almonds to the remaining butter in the pan and cook till light brown. Mix honey, heat a little and spread over the bananas, serve hot.


Buying honey and storing it

• Buy honey that is labeled 100% pure.
  
  
• Darker the color of honey, the better will be the flavor and quality.
  
  
• Buy honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified or filtered. Get it straight from the farm.
  
  
• Honey should be stored in airtight jars lest it absorb any moisture from the atmosphere.
  
  
• Store in a cool dry place.
  
  
• Honey exposed to cold temperatures tends to thicken. Honey exposed to high temperatures tends to get darker in color.
  

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