I work with a lot of women’s health issues, and it seems like the most common words out of my mouth are “ground flaxseeds.” It is commonly known that flax is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha linolenic acid (ALA). These healthy fats offer benefits to both men and women because they help fight the inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and asthma. The body has enzymes that can convert alpha linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil. This enzyme can be less active in some people due to genetic variations, diabetes, or by high consumption of saturated fat or alcohol. Because of these potential enzyme problems, many practitioners are suggesting patients use fish oil. But I still frequently recommend flaxseeds because they offer other benefits in addition to those from the omega-3 fats.

I frequently suggest flaxseeds to women of all ages because they can help restore hormonal balance. In younger women, they may help fertility. For peri-menopausal women they may ease symptoms like irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, headaches, sleep difficulties, fluid retention, and mood swings. Also taking several tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.

Flaxseeds offer all of these benefits because they contain lignans, compound that are converted to a weak estrogen-like substances. Unlike actual estrogen, these lignans derivatives have been shown to be actually protective against breast cancer.

I have only scraped the surface of flax’s benefits. It can also help the heart by contributing to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Diets high in omega-3 essential fatty acids have been shown to reduce the bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Flaxseeds are also a good source of fiber, which we don’t tend to get enough of in our diets. The nutrients in flaxseeds are much more available when they are ground. Try taking 2-4 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily either mixed in water or added to foods like salad or yogurt. Make sure to keep ground flaxseeds refrigerated and start with the lower amount because sometimes a quick increase in fiber can cause digestive distress. For another way to try flaxseeds, here is a recipe from World’s Healthiest Foods for a High Energy Breakfast Shake.

As a naturopathic doctor, my medical practice is based on the principles of naturopathic medicine. These are the guiding principles that keep me focused on helping people heal themselves in a safe, effective way. Though there are six naturopathic principles, the one that is the most important to my practice is my belief in the Healing Power of Nature. I do believe that natural substances and healthy lifestyle can be healing, but something different is meant here. This principle refers to the body’s ability to heal itself. Our body has many mechanisms to help restore our health. Sometimes we are unhealthy only because something such as a toxin is interfering with our body’s ability to heal. Other times our body is lacking essential nutrients it needs to return to wellness.

I see both of these scenarios on a regular basis. It is very common for people in the U.S. to be deficient in minerals because of our diets. For instance, optimal intake for magnesium should be between 300 – 600 mg, but the average American gets 275 mg. Since this is an average, it means that many people are getting even less than this. Magnesium is necessary for the proper function of muscles and the nervous system. Magnesium is also needed by numerous enzymes in the body, including ones that make energy for us. Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency can be linked to fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, memory loss, muscle cramps and twitches, diabetic complications, and certain diseases of the retina of the eye. People with health problems like migraines, PMS, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and alcoholism might need even more magnesium.  Food sources of magnesium include dark green vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, soy, avocado, and dried apricots.

To find more food sources of magnesium, go to one of my favorite websites, World’s Healthiest Foods. If you want to read more of the naturopathic principles, check out the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Last night as I was picking my red okra, I was thinking of anthocyanins. I am sure that is what all okra pickers think about (okay, maybe only the really nerdy ones like me). The pigments that give okra and purple carrots their unique hues are called anthocyanins. These are natural sunscreen agents the plants use to protect themselves from the sun. In fact, I have noticed if a red okra pod is hidden under the leaves it doesn’t get as red. While the anthocyanins can protect the plant from the hot Arkansas sun, they can help us prevent cancer. This is just one of the antioxidants in our rainbow of protective plant compounds. Antioxidants help protect us from the array of damaging compounds called free radicals we encounter on a regular basis. Free radicals can cause damage to our DNA in ways that might promote cancer. These antioxidant compounds also help reduce inflammation. For cancer prevention, it is important to fight inflammation because inflammation contributes to the formation of new blood vessels that cancer uses to feed itself. This process is called angiogenesis, which is just Latin for vessel creation.

Red okra is not that commonly available, but don’t worry there are lots of different sources of anthocyanins. The purple and red fruits and vegetables are great sources so you can grab purple cabbage, purple potatoes, plums, dark grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and black berries. Black beans and blue corn are other great ways to get these protective compounds. Also the pigment that gives eggplant its purple color is called nasunin, an anthocyanin that has been found to remove toxic free radicals from the tissues and reduce angiogenesis. You don’t have to stick with just the purple varieties of foods. Every color in the produce world represents a different antioxidant. To read more on cancer fighting foods sign up for a free account with the Eat To Defeat Cancer campaign from The Angiogenesis Foundation.