Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil (also called linseed oil) comes from flaxseeds and is available in liquid and capsule form. Whole, crushed or powdered flaxseed can be mixed with water or juice and taken orally, or can be sprinkled on foods. Although flaxseed contains many healthy components, it is primarily made up of three ingredients: Omega-3 essential fatty acids ("good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects), lignans (which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities) and fiber (both the soluble and insoluble types).

Since flaxseed contains soluble fiber, like that found in oat bran, it is considered an effective laxative. Studies of flaxseed have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, also thought to be a benefit, report mixed results. Additionally, some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid, also called ALA (a substance found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil) may benefit people with heart disease. But not enough reliable data is available to determine whether flaxseed is effective for heart conditions.

There are some differences between flaxseed and flaxseed oil that should be noted. Flaxseed contains lignans (phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens), while flaxseed oil preparations lack lignans; flaxseed oil alone contains neither the fiber nor the phytochemicals of whole flaxseed.

Flaxseeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available, otherwise they just pass through. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well-tolerated and few side effects have been reported. However, since flax has such a high fiber content, it's best to start with a small amount and increase your intake slowly, otherwise cramping and a "laxative effect" can result. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may have an especially strong reaction to it. Flaxseed, like any supplemental fiber source, should be taken with plenty of water; otherwise, it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, even cause intestinal blockage. The fiber in flaxseed may also lower the body's ability to absorb oral medications, so it's often advised that flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements. The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known, but one to two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, according to the Flax Council of Canada.

Why not sprinkle some flaxseed on your cereal, your yogurt, your favorite fruit salad? It tastes a little bit nutty and is a natural source of those healthy omega-3s.

That's not all -- FitSugar has more scoop on flax right here.

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Eight short years ago, Marion Jones was the pride of the US -- raking in medals at the Sydney Olympics. Then things fell apart when it was revealed that Jones took performance-enhancing drugs. She was stripped of her medals and was sentenced to time in prison for lying to federal prosecutors. In her first interview since her release, Jones spoke to Oprah about what really happened.

According to Jones, her former coach, Trevor Graham, gave her pills he described as flax seed oil. Jones, who took numerous substances such as vitamins and creatine, didn't question what he was giving her. Jones said she was instructed to put the tablet under her tongue for a while and then swallow it. Later, during the investigation, prosecutors showed Jones a vial of a designer steroid nicknamed "the clear." Jones now admits that she recognized it immediately as the substance her coach had given her. "I made the decision I was going to lie and try to cover it up," explained Jones. "I knew that all of my performances would be questioned."

There's a lesson for all athletes here. From the average Joe to the high school quarterback to elite athletes -- we're all responsible for what we put into our bodies. Supplements such as whey protein and creatine are frequently used by athletes. But even legal supplements shouldn't be used without knowledge and caution. Proper nutrition, consistent exercise, and appropriate training are your best bets for keeping your body in peak condition.

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Flax is something we hear about often, and it's always praise -- in fact, health food nuts just can't get enough of it. So when one of my favourite bloggers asked the question Is Flax Bad? I was a little baffled. Bad? It's considered a superfood because of all those healthy Omega 3s! How can it be bad?

Here's the thing: Flax was recently linked to prostate cancer. It has nothing to do with Omega-3s; rather, it has to do with ALA, an organic compound in some vegetable oils that has been linked to cancer.

So what does this mean for you? Research is just in the preliminary stages, but nonethless, you might want to consider a different source of Omega-3s, such as fish oil. This goes for both men and women. For more information, head over to Mark's Daily Apple.

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For those of you who know your way around a kitchen, you're at a bit of an advantage over the rest of us when it comes to whipping up some healthy food.

No word of a lie, two nights ago I actually screwed up Jello. How is that even possible? Evidently, it is -- because I somehow pulled it off. My goal was to make something tasty without throwing my meal plan into a tailspin. That was my plan, anyway. The result of that plan was a bowl of half-solidified raspberry Jello and red colored water. My culinary incompetence is the reason why I always get excited when I come across recipes for easy to make healthy snacks and meals. That's why I've been pretty psyched about trying this one for avocado toast, which I found in the Celebrity Diet Secrets book released by Men's Health.

To make avocado toast, you need:

• 2 tsp of honey mustard
• 2 slices of whole-grain bread
• 1/2 avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 tomato, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed

To turn all these ingredients into a healthy snack (11g protein, 44g carbs, 14g fiber, 2.5 fat), spread the honey mustard on each slice of toast. Next, layer on the avocado and tomato and then drizzle it with oil. Top with basil, flaxseed, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Voila!! A healthy snack. Amazing!!

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Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Flax is an ancient crop (it was used as a food source in 3000 BC!) but there's nothing outdated about it's benefits. Perhaps you've heard of the many, many benefits of flax? If not, well, I'll tell you right now: It's really good for you.

How good? Here's just a short list of ailments it can help ward off: Cholesterol, cancer, constipation, diabetes, heart disease, menopause, inflammation and depression. And it's no surprise -- Flax contains all-important omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a special thing called lignans. Lignans act like antioxidants and have anti-tumor properties. And that's not all: Flax has fiber, which, in addition to helping you lower your cholesterol and risk of heart disease, helps keep you ... well, regular.

Flaxseed is fast becoming a new health buzz word. It's scientific name translates as "most useful," and this is exactly what flax has become in the world of nutrition.

Flax is fiber-filled and can aid in digestion and relieve constipation. It's a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid, and can cut the incidence of sudden heart attacks. It's also been implicated in the decrease of menopausal symptoms -- try 1 to 1.5 ounces of flaxseed a day and see if it brings you some relief.

Adding flax to your diet isn't hard. It can be purchased in seed, oil, or powder form and can be sprinkled or drizzled on salads, bagels, hot or cold cereals, and more. There are just two rules for the use of flax: Limit your intake to two tablespoons per day and store your goods in the refrigerator to slow oxidation.

So tell us: Do you flax?

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If you haven't heard about the benefits of flaxseed yet, where have you been hiding? The superfood is full of fiber, can lower cholesterol as well as reduce the risk of heart disease, may protect again breast cancer and contains tonnes of Omega-3 fatty acids. So if you haven't added it to your diet, now is as good a time as any.

Many people choose to grind the seed, which can be found at most local grocery and health food stores, in a coffee bean grinder and then sprinkle it into yogurt, cereal or even pasta sauce. If you'd like a few new ideas, take a look at the three tasty recipes listed here.

You can treat yourself to a Raspberry Smoothie, try a delectable Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin or whip up some Flaxseed and Blueberry Pancakes, which include another superfood (blueberries) as a main ingredient. Having taken a look at the recipes, I'm already craving one of the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.

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Have hot flashes? To many women I know, these post-menopausal flashes are a disruption to daily life, as the environmental controls in many homes and office buildings can attest to.

There are seemingly a lot of possible solutions for keeping hot flashes at bat, and if you're not getting a decent amount of flax in your diet, have you tried it? The cool news is that flax seed (generally in oil form) is something you can eat on and in many foods to get its benefits.

But if you're not into eating flax seed oil all the time, you can alleviate hot flashes somewhat by eating about two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a few times a day. Sounds gross, right? Just toss it into that morning yogurt and that mid-day fruit smoothie. Look for ground flaxseed at your nearest health food store.

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Two studies presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting show ginseng and flaxseed may be beneficial for cancer patients:

• Mayo Clinic researchers found that ginseng helps minimize feelings of fatigue for cancer patients. In their study, nearly 300 patients with various types of cancer took differing amounts of ginseng (ranging from 750 to 2,000 milligrams). Some participants were given placebos as a control. Roughly 25% of those who received 1,000 milligrams or more reported that they felt moderately better.
  
• Another study followed 161 men with prostate cancer; all were scheduled for surgery to remove their prostate. A quarter of the study participants maintained their regular diet pre-surgery, another group added 30 grams of flaxseed daily, a third restricted dietary fats, and the final group restricted fats and added flaxseed. Study participants who added flaxseed to their diet had the slowest rate of tumor growth.

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