Anyone use milled flaxseed?

[bacarver]

I found out yesterday that my cholesterol level has really jumped and I have no clue as to why. It was 212 three years ago and now it's 247. I've been very good in regard to diet, exercise, healthy weight and lifestyle.

I don't like the idea of medication so I'm looking for natural options.

Has anyone tried milled flaxseed? Does it work? Any side effects?

Thanks!

Barb

[Eden]

I put flax seed on my oatmeal - though I don't know what it has done for my health, since I've not yet ever had my cholesterol checked, I would say that it has no side effects.

[Red Rock]

I use flaxseed-ground- in all of my cereals. Oftentimes when I make pancakes from scratch, I will add it in there also.

I have actually used the whole flax and the ground off and on for a number of years. Have noticed no ill side effects. I just hope it helps my cholesterol as well. I was told I was high last time I had my blood checked.

[KnottedYet]

I'm eating some mixed into my hummus right now! my cholesterol went up (I was bad and was eating 2 eggs with cheese every morning for breakfast) and I'm hoping the flax and cutting out the eggs will get it back down.

I've had cholesterol in the high 200's since I was a teenager. I reeeeally don't want to go on chol drugs, so I reeeeeeally need to start playing by the dietary rules and stop cheating!

No ill effects noticed from the flax. I like the taste of the milled flax much more than the flax oil. It's good in pancakes, refried beans, hummus, chili, mild nutty flavor.

[Pedal Wench]

Any thoughts on if you need to grind them up, or is chewing good enough?

[Eden]

Any thoughts on if you need to grind them up, or is chewing good enough?

The first time I used them I had whole seeds - not that I was examining too closely, but they did seem to go right through intact for the most part.... I get the feeling that ground you will get more good from them.

[luv'nAustin]

The kind that I buy is ground. It is grown in North Dakota and they send it to me in the mail. If you are interested I could give you the phone number. You do need to store it in the fridge after the seal is broken but it will stay fresh for months.

My only tip is that you start with a small quantity and slowly increase your daily intake so that your stomach is not upset. I think that I use at least a tablespoon on my cereal each morning.

[cosc]

My coffee grinder works double duty with flax seed. I wipe the grinder with paper towel after using flax. Remember to unplug grinder before wiping though.
I put flax in pancakes and homemade bread or cornbread. In baking with flax I find I need less salt in my recipes.

[bacarver]

Thanks for the ideas, TE.

I gave up my beloved eggs about 3 years ago. I eat the substitute, but it really isn't the same.

I don't want to take the "pipe cleaner" drugs because I am very sensitive to med side effects. If something can go wrong, it will with me.

I don't eat between meals, don't drink coffee, haven't had a donut in forever, am allergic to walnuts, and eat limited cheese. I LOVE 8th Continent Soy milk.

The care and upkeep of my body is hard work and not really fair. But, I am active and athletic.

I am going to Kroger tomorrow to see if they have milled flaxseed. I think I saw it on the hot cereal shelf.

I hope it works!

Barb

[Frenchroadie]

I have low cholesterol but it even got lower when I started eating the "Zone Diet" way by Dr. Barry Sears. I really don't see it as a diet but rather a way of eating. Pounds started dropping off also easily for a change and have kept off one year later. Something to look into...... and yes, I occasionally eat flaxseed that I grind as needed in a coffee grinder, I put it in my milk shakes.

[Crankin]

Well, don't be totally anti medication.My husband has terrible genetics but is a superfit person, eats pretty well, too. By the time I forced him to get a physical his cholesterol was sky high and he had high BP, too. A year later he had 2 80% blocked arteries. He had started on the medication a year before that. After he had the arteries taken care of, his doctor switched him to 2 different cholesterol lowering meds.
I am all for alternative health methods, and have had some weird drug reactions, but ladies, do fool around with this, especially if you are nearing menopause. Flax seed would not have helped my husband.
I have eaten well for years and I still have a fairly high total cholesterol level (218). But my HDL and triglycerides are really good, so they say I don't need any meds. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get the total lower.
And by the way, it's generally accepted now that eggs don't make your levels go up that much, it's fatty foods (saturated) that do.