If you are a runner or do a lot of cardio, then flaxseed is especially important for your diet since it is packed full of vitamins and nutrients that can help you improve your get up and go.

By combining daily Multivitamin gummies with a diet supplemented by flaxseed, it can help to boost your immune system and keep you healthy throughout the cold and flu season.

“Although flaxseed has been used for a long time -- Hippocrates ate and wrote about it in 500 B.C. -- it’s only been in the past 10 years that researchers have focused on flaxseed’s health benefits,” said Jocelyn Mathern, a registered dietitian and member of the Flax Lignan Information Bureau Advisory Board, a consumer education organization in Minneapolis.
Here are 11 amazing benefits of including flaxseed in your diet regularly:

Loaded with Vitamins and Nutrients

Flaxseeds are very nutritious and contain several vitamins and nutrients including Omega 3 fatty acids, folate, vitamins B1 and B6, calcium, iron and magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and fiber.

Packed with Omega 3 Fatty Acids

If you don’t eat meat, then you can certainly benefit from the Omega 3s in flaxseed. They help prevent bad cholesterol from being deposited into the bloodstream and, as a result, help to reduce your chances of having a heart attack.

May Help to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Flaxseed contains lignans, which have been shown to help to reduce different types of cancer including breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Rich in Fiber

Flaxseed contains in one tablespoon three grams of fiber, which is about 12 percent of the daily recommended amount. Adding flaxseed to your routine diet can help you to be regular and to improve the overall health of your digestive tract.

Could Help to Lower Blood Pressure

Flaxseed has been shown to lower blood pressure, especially in those taking a blood pressure medication, though it is recommended to consume a very small amount of flaxseed if you are taking blood pressure medication.

They are Rich in Protein

Flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based protein because it contains amino acids and other acids that help to lower cholesterol, improve the immune system, prevent tumors and act as an antifungal. The proteins help you to feel fuller, thus promoting weight loss while also facilitating muscle growth.

May Help to Control Blood Sugar

Adding flaxseed powder to your diet regularly has shown to decrease blood sugar levels by 20 percent. That’s because flaxseed has insoluble fiber which slows down the processing of sugar in the blood.

Helps to Reduce Inflammation

Two components in flaxseed, ALA and lignans, have been shown to help reduce inflammation in certain illnesses like asthma and arthritis. Inflammation can lead to more serious diseases over time and some anti-inflammatory medications have been shown to cause bleeding in the stomach. Consuming a diet that is high in fiber can help to eliminate the inflammation over time.

Helps to Alleviate Hot Flashes

Two tablespoons of ground flaxseed twice daily in food or juice have been shown to help to eliminate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes by 50 percent. Because of its high fiber content, taking flaxseed regularly can also help to eliminate bloating and swelling, which is a common symptom of menopause. It also has diuretic properties, which can help to reduce fluid retention in the body.

May improve cholesterol

Recent studies have shown that flaxseed can reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, which can help in lowering blood pressure.

Baseball Slugging Power!

Hey, who are we to argue with Barry Bonds? Remember when the all-time home run king told a grand jury during Major League Baseball’s steroids-era investigations that all those home runs came from unknowingly having flaxseed oil rubbed on him by his trainer? *Wink*

Whether you’re working out at the gym or starring for the San Francisco Giants, flaxseed is what you need. It’s easy to introduce flaxseed to many of the foods you’re already eating. Sprinkle some on your salad, give your yogurt an extra boost, mix into your morning smoothie or try a new recipe. Because flaxseed is a superfood, it’s best to consume earlier in the day, at least until you know how your body will respond, as it’s an excellent source of pre-workout energy.