Natural remedy for hot flashes, digestion and more!

Bet you wouldn’t have guessed that seeds from a flax plant could provide a natural boost to your health. Flaxseed is a great health remedy. What's so beneficial about it is that it seems to aid in lowering the bad levels of cholesterol, the LDL, which is so hard to do. It contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for the heart. Also high in soluble fiber, the same kind is found in oat bran, which aids with digestion. Some studies even show that flaxseed and flaxseed oil are even good at preventing hot flashes. Many CNN viewers have written in to us echoing that thought based on personal experience.

Here are a few tips on ways to incorporate flaxseed into your daily diet.

BEST MIXER? Flaxseed is typically consumed by adding it to your favorite beverage or meal. It can be mixed with water or juice. Also, flaxseed is commonly added to cereals and yogurts – mix it in and you won’t even taste it. Some people choose to consume flaxseed oil straight up. It is also available in capsule form.

GROUND OR WHOLE? Flaxseeds can be purchased whole or ground up. But most doctors suggest ground flaxseed is better. Whole flaxseed may be hard to digest and you may not get the full health benefits as you would digesting it already grounded. You can purchase ground flaxseed at your local grocery store.

HOW MUCH? To get the most health benefits, aim to consume about a tablespoon of ground flaxseed per day.

Studies show the side effects of consuming flaxseed are minimal. However, avoid taking flaxseed at the same time as conventional medications. The fiber in flaxseed may lower the body's ability to absorb medications that are taken by mouth, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.