What is flax seed?

Flaxseed is a seed known for many medicinal uses and comes from the plant Linum usitatissimum. This tiny seed owes its health benefits to its low-carbohydrate and high-nutrient content. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, manganese, magnesium, dietary fiber and phytochemicals.

According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, flaxseed is effective for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and autoimmune disorders. While there is the potential for flaxseed to reduce the risk of many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and inflammation, there is not a sufficient amount of evidence to support these claims, as of 2014.