Flaxseed, Linseed or Chia?

[nikki2975]

My doctor recommended I take one of the above as a natural alternative to Laxido as it gives me migraines but she didn't say which one would work best so I thought I'd ask on here which one works best and which brand?

Thanks

[108Optimist]

Flaxseed and linseed are the same things. If you buy them ground make sure they are refrigerated as they go rancid. Ifyou buy them whole you get more benefit from grinding them in eg smoothie. Great in muffins or on salads or in smoothies etc

Chia seed add water and they swell. Chia pudding or porridge yum

Two very different and both nutritional options ☺☺

[nikki2975 in reply to 108Optimist]

I'll have a look and see which nutritional benefits are best.

I had a quick look before and saw that one of them had Omega 3 in which might be the better option as I don't eat a lot of fish or foods with omega 3 included so could probably do with a boost.

[greygoose]

I'm not sure there's much to chose between them.

Vit C and magnesium are also good for relieving constipation, taken at bed time.

[nikki2975 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose, I had been taking Magnesium but I kept waking up with migraines so my doctor advised me to stop taking it and get my VitD levels up first and then try again. I'm about to start taking Vit C with my Iron tablets tomorrow.

[puncturedbicycle]

Forgive me if you've addressed this in a previous thread but do you know if you're optimally medicated for thyroid? I didn't have relief from constipation until I was on levo/t3 combo. I had been on a good dose of levo which made all my bloods look good but no dice, my gut was still stuck and I was v bloated w fluid. A little t3 sorted it and that side of things is still ace to this day.

I'm not a scientist, but it seems logical that levo was keeping fluid trapped in my tissues (as sex hormones can do when you're getting ready to get your period) instead of allowing it to be excreted in my gut.

Having said that, flax can be soaked in water and makes an excellent remedy. I prefer it soaked to ground. I know you get better nutrition from ground but for these purposes you don't need the nutrients, it's the gel coating that will get your gut moving. It even works for traveller's constipation which I'm still prone to from time to time because I'm a delicate flower.

[nikki2975 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

My endo has classed me as subclinically hyperthyroid so I'm not taking any meds at the moment and haven't for a long time.

I also have Fatty Liver disease and cysts on my right ovary alongside having IBS although it won't be confirmed what it is till my appointment with the specialist on the 5th September.

Even though I go from being constipated to having diahorrea my doctor says I also have overflow diarrhoea

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nikki2975]

Have you been checked for coeliacs?

Getting negative result, doesn't mean you might not still feel better being gluten free. Test is not 100% reliable, or you can be "just" gluten intolerant.

Get coeliac tested first, then consider trying going gluten free for two to three months see if it helps

[nikki2975 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was tested in April but showed up negative.

I have an appointment with a bowel specialist on the 5th it see if i have IBS or something else and will mention it too them.

I've never noticed any problems when eating gluten, although i don't eat as much anymore my symptoms mostly come on when i'm anxious or stressed and fit's the symptoms of IBS.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Linseed and flaxseed are the same thing (linaria is the flax plant whose seeds are called linseed in British English). Chia seeds are usually used for energy and are very expensive. None of them are really laxatives, although we used to give our horses boiled linseed and bran mash on a Sunday night before their day off on Monday. GoodnessDirect.co.uk do brown and gold linseed in large bags at a very reasonable price. When soaked, both types of seed produce a soothing gel (and, of course, all seeds have lots of fibre).

[nikki2975 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I'll have a look thank you. my doctor told me to take 2 desert spoons of one of them daily.

I think a natural remedy is my only option so i don't get the Migraines back :(.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to nikki2975]

Two dessert spoons seems very little, but it's always best to start slowly. I don't think flax is a crop that is highly dosed with pesticide so you don't have to buy organic (although you can). Non-organic is about £1 a kilo (or slightly less).

[nikki2975 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I was thinking that but i'll start slow as you suggested and increase if need be. my VitD levels should be quite high now as i'm on day 13 of 40,000IU so hopefully i can start the Magnesium again without getting the Migraines and that should help too.

[Joyia]

I purchase a small pouch of organic linseed costing £2.50 from Sainsburys, I sprinkle about a good dessertspoon on my porridge every morning, the pouch usually lasts me around a month or so; good for keeping the bowels working in order.

[nikki2975 in reply to Joyia]

Thanks i'll try that. I work for Sainsbury's too so it's easy for me to get. hopefully it will help.