Flax seed

In Mediterranean cultures, flaxseed has been consumed and used as medicine for thousands of years. It is currently widely used in the US to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Flax seed comes from the flax plant. High levels of alpha-linolenic acid are present in flax seed and flaxseed oil (ALA). An omega-3 fatty acid that may help reduce your risk of heart disease is this one. Early research also suggests that flaxseed might help lower high blood pressure, which plays a role in heart disease. Several studies show that taking flaxseed daily can reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels. But the NCCIH says that studies on flaxseed's benefits for heart health have given different results. Studies have shown that postmenopausal women and people with high cholesterol may benefit most from flaxseed preparations' ability to lower cholesterol.