A Short History of Flaxseed Oil – Uses and Benefits
Flax was one of the first crops grown in ancient Egypt. The straw was used to make textiles (rope, sails for ships, rugs, drapes). In addition, the flax fiber could also be processed to make a very fine cloth to make clothing. The flax seed had to be harvested and this seed had many uses. As food flax is a great source of protein which would have been in high demand in the Egyptian desert to feed the population.
In addition to using flaxseed oil for burning in lamps, this omega 3 rich oil was used on the skin. Even though the desert sun is very hard on the skin, there is evidence in the ancient writings and paintings that the Egyptian didn’t cover their skin to protect it from the sun. Common clothing for men was only a loincloth or skirt with bare chest, arms and legs. Common clothing for women was just a light dress with arms and legs exposed. The intense UV rays of the sun and the drying effect of the desert would have destroyed exposed skin. It stands to reason there had to be some kind of skin care products like flax oil to help with hydrating, replacing the body oil and healing the UV damage. It is interesting to note that at the same period in history others that lived in the desert and did not have readily available flax oil wore clothing that completely covered the skin. Both men and women sought to protect themselves from the sun and the damage it can do to exposed skin.
Flaxseed Oil Today
It is commonly understood that flaxseed and flaxseed oil is good for you, but most people don’t understand why.
Before World War II, the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet was quite different from what it is today in many Western countries. Historically, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet was likely closer to 1:1 to 4:1 and this is within the parameters of a healthy ratio. This is because people consumed diets rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
During and after World War II, there were significant changes in agricultural practices, food production, and dietary habits, which led to alterations in the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These changes included:
the industrialization of agriculture resulting in the increased production of crops such as corn, soybeans, and sunflower, which are high in omega-6 fatty acids;
the increased use of vegetable oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, cottonseed) in the diet which are common ingredients still used today. These oils are as high as 71% pure omega 6’s;
the change in feeding practices for livestock with more reliance on grain-based diets instead of grass-fed diets. This change led to higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids in meat and dairy products.
These shifts in dietary patterns resulted in a significant increase in the intake of omega-6 fatty acids relative to omega-3 fatty acids. In many Western diets today, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is estimated to be much higher, possibly around 10:1 or even 20:1. Why is this important? Studies have shown that an excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids, coupled with inadequate omega-3 intake, will promote inflammation in the body. This contributes to a multitude of health issues. 74% of all health issues in North America today are inflammatory issues, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Cancer depends on inflammation to become established.
Chronic inflammation is a key driver of aging and is closely linked to skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and accelerated skin aging. Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in cell regeneration. A deficiency in omega 3’s compromises the skin’s ability to regenerate new cells. This causes thinning of this skin. This restricts the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness, roughness, and an overall unhealthy skin.
The Best Skin Care in the World ??? Yes it is!
Our products are superior to other products on the market because:
No other product line uses flaxseed oil to the extent that we do. Shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil and other butters and oils commonly used in skin care products today have a very small percentage of omega 3’s. They are high in saturated fats and when taken dietarily turn into cholesterol upon entering the body. When used on the skin it adds cholesterol to the capillaries of the skin and this slows circulation and promotes aging. Furthermore, high saturated fats more often than not require chemical stabilizers to keep them from oxidizing and becoming rancid.
Flaxseed oil is extremely light and the molecules are smaller than all other oils used in skin care products. This is evident when you consider that flaxseed oil cannot be used for cooking because the flashpoint is so low (220 degrees F), while shea butter and other oils used in skin care have a flashpoint of over 450 degrees F. Their molecules are much larger and it takes considerably more heat to break the molecules down into a gas so it will flash. This makes them a good cooking oil and flaxseed oil a very poor cooking oil. The smaller molecules penetrate and nourish the skin while the heavy oils do no penetrate past the top two layers. This feature is what makes flaxseed oil the best option for use in skin care products and it why it is able to penetrate to the deepest layers of the skin and doesn’t remain on the surface.
Using skin care products made from omega 3-rich flaxseed oil is the single and only way to combat the aging of skin. Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids will maintain skin barrier function, improve hydration, and reduce inflammation. This reduces the effects of aging. In addition to promoting inflammation, high omega-6 intake can disrupt the skin's natural barrier function. A compromised skin barrier is more susceptible to environmental stressors, moisture loss, and penetration by irritants and allergens, leading to dryness, sensitivity, thinning skin and accelerated aging. Conversely, omega-3 fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory effects, helping to counterbalance the pro-inflammatory actions of omega-6 fatty acids.
Considering the use of flaxseed oil in history and the importance of omega 3 fatty acids to the health of the human body, it is easy to determine that skin care products containing flaxseed oil are superior and have no equal in the industry compared to all others. If you are offering products other than Omega 3 Skin Care to your customers, you are offering an inferior product.
Quality skin care products do not have to be expensive
The multi-billion dollar skin care industry has convinced consumers that quality products are expensive. We completely disagree with that and believe that quality, healthy and effective skin care products are affordable for everyone and this is reflected in our price points.
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