Flax seed oil contains high levels of omega 3 and omega 6
essential fatty acids which can either be taken internally by eating the
flax seeds or taking flax seed oil supplements or it can be applied
externally as a pack for healthy skin.
Flax seed oil is useful for
healing scars, abrasions and also has anti-inflammatory properties and
so is useful for inflamed skin or skin disorders such as psoriasis and
eczema. Flax seed oil is also useful for dry skin.
Many skin
problems today such as acne, eczema and psoriasis may also be partly due
to the fact that the modern diet is lacking in omega 3 essential fatty
acids. As a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids flax seed is able to
replenish the correct body levels of these fats and so benefit skin
disorders that may result from a deficiency.
Patrick Holford says
in his book "New Optimum Nutrition Bible", "Another important component
of a good skin diet is the Omega 3 and 6 essential fats. Each cell
membrane - in effect the skin of each cell - is composed partly of
essential fats, and in turn your skin is made up of countless cells. So
the fatty acid content of your cell membranes is vital. Not only do the
essential fats keep cell membranes smooth and soft, but also they help
the membranes to do a better job of controlling what goes in and out of
the cells. Without enough fats in the cell membranes, they are not able
to retain water and they lose their plumpness. So for soft skin, include
plenty of essential fat rich foods in your diet such as fish, nuts and
seeds and their oils. Have seeds in salads, as snacks or ground up, and
on cereals, yogurt or soups" (Holford, P. "New Optimum Nutrition Bible")
Flax
seed oil benefits acne as the fatty acids present in flax seed help to
prevent the clogging of the pores of the skin and thin the sebum which
causes these clogged pores.
Psoriasis is another skin disorder
that is benefited by taking flax seed. Flax seed contains the omega 3
fatty acid ALA which is broken down by the body into EPA. EPA
supplementation has been found to be beneficial for psoriasis sufferers
when used with their normal medication.
You can take flax seed oil
internally by sprinkling ground flax seed over cereals and salads or
adding whole flax seeds to a glass of water and drinking immediately (if
you leave it too long it will solidify the water).
Make a flax
seed oil pack by grinding flax seed and adding about three times as much
water. Leave it to stand for a while until it becomes a gel (due to the
mucilage escaping the seeds). This oil pack may then be applied
externally to the skin.
Omega 3 essential fatty acids such as are
found in flax seed are essential for healthy skin and can benefit skin
disorders such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. In order to get the full
benefits of flax seed for your skin include flax seeds in your diet,
take flax seed supplements and use external applications of flax seed
oil packs.
