Maintenance - Add onto this if you wish. Foods/supplements for those in recovery.

[derpahderp]

Articles > nutritional value > protein > Omega-3's > healthy way of living

via WebMD. -E. Magee, MPH, RD

The Benefits of Flaxseed
Is flaxseed the new wonder food? Preliminary studies show that it may help fight heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer.


Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries.

Flaxseed was cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC. In the 8th century, King Charlemagne believed so strongly in the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to consume it. Now, thirteen centuries later, some experts say we have preliminary research to back up what Charlemagne suspected.


Flaxseed is found in all kinds of today's foods from crackers to frozen waffles to oatmeal. The Flax Council estimates close to 300 new flax-based products were launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2010 alone. Not only has consumer demand for flaxseed grown, agricultural use has also increased. Flaxseed is what's used to feed all those chickens that are laying eggs with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its primary healthy reputation to three of them:

Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75 to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods.
Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.


Cardiovascular Disease

Research suggests that plant omega-3s help the cardiovascular system through several different mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory action and normalizing the heartbeat. Fitzpatrick says new research also suggests significant blood pressure-lowering effects of flaxseed. Those effects may be due to both the omega-3 fatty acids as well as the amino acid groups found in flaxseed.

Several studies have suggested that diets rich in flaxseed omega-3s help prevent hardening of the arteries and keep plaque from being deposited in the arteries partly by keeping white blood cells from sticking to the blood vessels’ inner linings.

"Lignans in flaxseed have been shown to reduce atherosclerotic plaque buildup by up to 75%," Fitzpatrick says.

Because plant omega-3s may also play a role in maintaining the heart’s natural rhythm, they may be useful in treating arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and heart failure. More research is needed on this.

Eating flaxseed daily may also help your cholesterol levels. The level of LDL or "bad" cholesterol in the bloodstream has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. A study of menopausal women showed a decrease in LDL level after the women ate 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed each day for a year. Fitzpatrick says the cholesterol-lowering effects of flaxseed are the result of the combined benefits of the omega-3 ALA, fiber, and lignans.

Diabetes

Preliminary research also suggests that daily intake of the lignans in flaxseed may modestly improve blood sugar (as measured by hemoglobin A1c blood tests in adults with type 2 diabetes).

Inflammation

Two components in flaxseed, ALA and lignans, may reduce the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses (such as Parkinson's disease and asthma) by helping block the release of certain pro-inflammatory agents, Fitzpatrick says.

ALA has been shown to decrease inflammatory reactions in humans. And studies in animals have found that lignans can decrease levels of several pro-inflammatory agents.

Reducing inflammation associated with plaque buildup in the arteries may be another way flaxseed helps prevent heart attack and strokes.

Hot Flashes

One study of menopausal women, published in 2007, reported that 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed into cereal, juice, or yogurt twice a day cut their hot flashes in half. The intensity of their hot flashes also dropped by 57%. The women noticed a difference after taking the daily flaxseed for just one week and achieved the maximum benefit within two weeks.

But another study reported no significant reduction in hot flashes between postmenopausal women and breast cancer patients eating a bar containing 410 milligrams of phytoestrogens from ground flaxseed and women eating a placebo bar.

The results, says Thompson, are consistent with other studies that have shown no siginifcant difference in the effect on hot flashes between flaxseed and placebo

Flaxseed Isn't a Magic Bullet

It's tempting to think of flaxseed as a super food because of its many potential health benefits. But keep in mind there is no magic food or nutrient that guarantees improved health.

What matters is consistently making great dietary choices as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Who Shouldn’t Use Flaxseed?

Until more is known, Thompson says, pregnant women and possibly breastfeeding mothers should not supplement their diets with ground flaxseed.

"Our own animal studies showed that flaxseed exposure during these stages may be protective against breast cancer in the offspring. But a study of another investigator showed the opposite effect," Thompson says.

Tips for Using Flaxseed

Many experts believe it's better to consume flaxseed than flax oil (which contains just part of the seed) so you get all the components. But stay tuned as researchers continue to investigate.

Thompson says, "Ground flaxseed, in general, is a great first choice, but there may be specific situations where flax oil or the lignans (taken in amounts naturally found in flaxseed) might be as good."

How much flaxseed do you need? The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known. But 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, according to the Flax Council of Canada.

*Flaxseed, when eaten whole, is more likely to pass through the intestinal tract undigested, which means your body doesn't get all the healthful components. If you want to grind flaxseed yourself, those little electric coffee grinders seem to work best.
Milled = ground = flax meal. Don’t be confused by the different product names for ground flaxseed. Milled or ground flaxseed is the same thing as flax meal.
Buy either brown or golden flaxseed. Golden flaxseed is easier on the eyes, but brown flaxseed is easier to find in most supermarkets. There is very little difference nutritionally between the two, so the choice is up to you.

*Flaxseed is a featured ingredient in cereals, pasta, whole grain breads and crackers, energy bars, meatless meal products, and snack foods.

Add flaxseed to a food you habitually eat. Every time you have a certain food, like oatmeal, smoothies, soup, or yogurt, stir in a couple tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Soon it will be a habit and you won’t have to think about it, you’ll just do it.

Reputation Comments on this Post:

	Good idea for a thread and good information.
	not an amphetamine thread

[sirlaughman]

thanks for the heads up. Ill check out flaxseed for health reasons.

[Moving Pictures]

So why exactly is this good for those in recovery from amphetamine addiction? It seems to me that flaxseed is an overall good thing for anyone to eat. Is there anything specific about it that helps amphetamine addicts?

Personally, after a binge (I've never been really strung out on speed), I try to consume a good amount of protien (esp. chicken but beef is good too), lots of fruits and veggies (bannas, strawberries, salads), lots of water. I don't really do too much Gatorade or Powerade, mainly just water so maybe I don't get enough electrolites as I should. Also I'll take vitamine C, D, E and iron supplements.

Now I'm not gonna lie, I don't always do that. But I have before and it helps a lot. Last time I was on a binge (about 2 months on meth, methylphenidate, ethylphenidate, bath salts) I lost about 30 pounds and was only eating one little frozen .99$ dinner a day. I got most of my calories from the 12 to 24 beers I drank a day, lol. But I ended up getting arrested and going to jail for a minute and I started to eat shit I never ate before (peas, carrorts, salads, hard boiled eggs). I made sure to clean my tray, even if I didn't like the food. Most guys didn't want to eat the veggies so I always got extras. Also, I never drank the juice they give us. It's horrible for your kidneys. I'd always trade my juice for a desert or cookie or salad or something. I drank water. Lots of water. I started exercising and in about 3 months, I went from 150 pounds (at 6'2) to 185 and was in great shape. Running every day, playing handball every day. All that shit. I felt great.

But when I got home I quit all that and now I'm like 212 fucking fatass.

But yeah, that's how I do to recover from a speed binge.

Oh and another thing, when you come off a bender, you're fucking hungry. Like you're a bottomless pit. So instead of eating a giant bag of chips or a pizza, eat a big ass salad or a bunch of banannas, baked chicken (not fried). Basically, if you are going to eat a ton of food, at least eat a ton of something that's half way healthy.

[derpahderp]

Perhaps I shouldve been clear. Adding onto this would be as MP has just done- foods after and during recovery can help with moods, well-being, and comedown. Flaxseed is just another option for those who know what omega-3's can do for recovery and or recouping.

Another member did mention amino-acids and this would make for other alternatives for the amph/meth/recovery process. See fish-oil pills for further details. Please do take note, flaxseed would make for a good addition to protein shakes that have been brought up for recovery in the past.

Therefore, call this a continuation of adding more knowledge into natural mehtods, for those who are looking or wanting to add more info to this thread. *call it thinking outside of the box imho*

[Moving Pictures]

Idk if it's true or not but I believe elcetolytes are really important to recover.

/Electrolytes
Salts and minerals that can conduct electrical impulses in the body. Common human electrolytes are sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, and sodium bicarbonate. Electrolytes control the fluid balance of the body and are important in muscle contraction, energy generation, and almost every major biochemical reaction in the body.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedic...m/Electrolytes

Sources of electrolytes

Photo Credit healthy foods image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
Electrolytes are essential minerals that the body requires to function properly. Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium all work in balance to maintain hydration and to help maintain muscle and nerve tissue activity. Imbalances in these important nutrients can lead to dysfunction in the body. In a healthy diet, electrolytes are generally available in sufficient amount from the foods we eat.
Sodium and Chloride

Sodium and chloride are the elements that form common table salt. Many processed and prepared foods have salt added as a flavor enhancer. These include prepared meats, such as cured ham, sausages and hot dogs, bacon and beef jerky. Canned vegetables; prepared salads, such as potato, macaroni or egg salad; snack foods, including potato chips, crackers and corn chips; prepared soups, sauces and condiments all contain sodium. Of course, table salt is also a good source of sodium and chloride.

Potassium

For everyone, but especially for individuals with kidney disease or high blood pressure, taking in enough dietary potassium is important. Many fruits are a good source of this essential electrolyte. Try oranges, peaches, nectarines, pears, bananas and melons. Dried plums are particularly high in potassium. Other sources include beans, both fresh and dried, spinach, squash and brussels sprouts. Meats and fish also provide dietary potassium. Many salt substitutes use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride.
Calcium

Calcium is an essential electrolyte for the proper function of muscles and is a building block for strong bones and teeth. Dairy products, including fresh milk, cheeses, yogurt and ice cream, all have high levels of calcium. Spinach, kale, bok choy, Swiss chard, and turnip, collard and mustard greens and other leafy green vegetables all provide calcium. Other fruits and vegetables that contain calcium are broccoli, oranges, green beans, dried beans of all types, mushrooms, asparagus and cabbage. Salmon and sardines with the bones intact and oysters are also good for adding calcium to the diet. Tofu, prepared with calcium chloride, is also high in this electrolyte.
Magnesium

Grain products top the list of food items that deliver the electrolyte magnesium, which is important for proper organ and muscle function and helps control the levels of other minerals in the human body. Breakfast cereals in particular are often fortified with this electrolyte mineral. Other plant-based sources include leafy green vegetables, dried beans, bananas, apricots, cashews, almonds and peanuts. Both tea and coffee are also good sources of magnesium. Brazil nuts, which grow in magnesium-rich soil, also offer good amounts of the mineral.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/25...#ixzz2Miaw98w1

Reputation Comments on this Post:

	for both contributions and adding references for those in recovery; Ty for taking the time and sharing useful tips.
	Good addition to the thread.

[derpahderp]

I'm guessing that sometimes while researching certain items pertaining to people and their comedown or even as they are quitting or going cold turkey, we get distracted by RL or sidetracked. These are a few things I've found throughout the forums, and while spending time with members and talking about how to cope with depression, insomnia and anxiety.

Health -Battling Depression

Health - Some anxiety/panic tea recipes

SFA SFA Putting yourself to sleep

health news: Love your liver

These links are meant to help and shouldn't be taken out of context for those may read this. Take the information for what it's worth... and whether it's wanting to get better, or just dealing with symptoms from any amph/stimulant, these categories have been found to be quite helpful(imho). Sharing knowledge is power right?

So, linking and taking the time in sharing those solutions might help a new member or provide something that others might be in the know. Remember, it does not have to be about food and I leave it up to the posters discretion. Long as we're in the line of harm reduction and the rules, their should not be a big issue in how others may choose to share or speak their minds.

Thanks again all... -peace

[derpahderp]

Since starting this thread might help those of you going through the same I'd decided to bump this thread, well as the fact that links had been updated(edited) and MP had added some good info.

Peace

Note: this info applies to amph/meth/stimus dependecy as well as recoup/recovery info(just FYI)

[toxinreleased]

This is a good idea for a thread, hopefully it will take off! I tried to do the same thing by getting the "love your liver", "underactive thyroid", and the "aspartame" posts all combined, but there was no interest I guess, because I never even got a reply. Too bad we can't collaborate together on one thread! Anyway, good idea!

[derpahderp]

Originally Posted by toxinreleased

This is a good idea for a thread, hopefully it will take off! I tried to do the same thing by getting the "love your liver", "underactive thyroid", and the "aspartame" posts all combined, but there was no interest I guess, because I never even got a reply. Too bad we can't collaborate together on one thread! Anyway, good idea!

Ty toxin,

Feel free to share links from different threads here..

I wouldn't mind people contributing more links or additional info to this one thread.. that way more can have a genral guide line. -or- add more to the wiki under the R&A since that'll get more exposure. In any case, all it takes is one or a few good ideas to help another person get off the 'Go'. Peace.

[toxinreleased]

I have no problem with combining all of those threads under this one. IF you can get anyone to do it! As I mentioned earlier, I asked and did not get an answer. Which could be because of any number of reasons-from the idea just not being processed/looked at/decided upon yet to it was considered a bad idea for some reason and not worth mentioning to just being ignored. As I am having continuing issues with my machine and its unwillingness to post news articles without hyperlinks, I am no longer posting news articles at all, but putting somewhat similar articles under a common header seems to make sense.