Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil for Omega-3

flaxseed

Flaxseeds originated in Mesopotamia and there are historical documents showing that flax was cultivated in Babylon about 3000 BCE.

Hippocrates promoted the use of flax for the relief of abdominal pains.

Charlemagne, King of the Franks and ruler of Western Europe, declared the consumption of flax compulsory for his subjects

The early colonists introduced flax into the United States. Flax was first introduced into Canada during the17th century, and today they are the world’s largest producer of flaxseed.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed

  • Nutrients
    Flaxseeds are an excellent source of the omega-3 essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), as well as phytoestrogens known as lignans. They are a very good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. They are a good source of the minerals phosphorus, iron, and copper.
  • Glycemic Index (GI)
    In a study to determine the GI of various foods, it was concluded that flaxseed has a low GI of 5.
  • Omega-3
    Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid similar to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, the difference being that it contains the shorter-chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) rather than the longer-chain fats eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and do-cosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Although ALA can be converted to EPA and DHA, the problem is that there are factors that may block the conversion in certain individuals, such as excess cholesterol, a diet heavy in saturated fat, excessive alcohol intake, junk food, smoking, the absence of an enzyme called delta-6-desaturase which is common in diabetics, and other factors.
    Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in reducing inflammation, improving brain function, alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, reducing blood pressure, protective effect against cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention, and cholesterol reduction.
  • Cholesterol
    Some studies have found flaxseed to be beneficial in reducing cholesterol.
    In a study of post-menopausal women, the results of the study concluded that dietary flaxseed supplementation lowered total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) by approximately 7% and 10%, respectively.
    In another study involving fifty-five hypercholesterolaemic subjects, it was concluded that dietary flaxseed lignan extract decreased plasma cholesterol.
  • Cancer
    Studies have shown flaxseed to inhibit the growth of human estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The lignans in flaxseed are phyto-oestrogens, plant chemicals that mimick the effects of oestrogen in the body by increasing the production of a compound known as sex hormone-binding globulin, or SHBG. This protein regulates estrogen levels by displacing excess oestrogen from cells in the body. It is believed that displacing oestrogen in this manner might help prevent those cancers that depend on oestrogen, such as breast cancer, from starting and developing.
    One preliminary study also found that flaxseed oil, which contains no appreciable amounts of lignans, slowed the growth of malignant breast tumors.
    There is evidence that ground flaxseed appears to be effective in preventing prostate cancer. In addition to the phytoestrogen effect, flaxseed lingnans bind to male hormone receptors and promote the elimination of testosterone. In a study conducted at the Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center involving men with prostate cancer, a low-fat diet (in which fat represented no more than 20 percent of total calories) supplemented with 30 grams of ground flaxseed reduced serum testosterone by 15%, slowed the growth rate of cancer cells, and increased the death rate of cancer cells after only thirty-four days.
  • Constipation
    In a double-blind study, 55 people with chronic constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome received either ground flaxseed or psyllium seed daily for 3 months. Those taking flaxseed had significantly fewer problems with constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating than those taking psyllium. The flaxseed group had even further improvements in constipation and bloating while continuing their treatment in the 3 months after the double-blind part of the study ended. The researcher concluded that flaxseed relieved constipation more effectively than psyllium.
    The fibre in flaxseed binds with water, swelling to form a gel which, like other forms of fibre, helps soften the stool and move it along in the intestines. One study found that flaxseed can help with chronic constipation in irritable bowel disease, Germany's Commission E authorises the use of flaxseed for various digestive problems, such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease and general stomach discomfort
  • Kidney Disease
    Flaxseed has shown some promise for treating kidney disease associated with lupus nephritis. Research is however weak and further studies are needed to establish flaxseed in this regard.
  • Bipolar Disorder
    One preliminary study hints that flaxseed oil may enhance the effects of conventional treatments for bipolar disorder when combined with  medications. Although promising, further research is required to substantiate the result of this study.

Nutrient Values of Flax Seeds per 100mg

Calories
534kcal
Energy Value
2234kj
Total Fat
42.16g
Carbohydrates
28.88g
Sugars
1.55g
Dietary Fiber
27.3g
Protein
18.29g
Sodium
30mg
Zinc
4.34mg
Potassium
813mg
Iron
5.73mg
Magnesium
392mg
Copper
1.220mg
Calcium
255mg
Vitamin C
0.6mg
Vitamin E
0.31mg
Vit. B3 (Niacin)
3.080mg
Vitamin B6
0.473mg
Vit. B1 (Thiamin)
1.644mg
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)
0.161mg
Flaxseed oil should never be used for cooking.
There have been preliminary studies that suggest that alpha-linolenic acid may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Because of its potential effects on oestrogen, pregnant or breastfeeding women should probably avoid flaxseed.
References:
The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno. Complimentary & Alternative health by Dr Steve Bratman
Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
PubMed. PMID: 18328014
PubMed. PMID: 18053310
PubMed. PMID: 17720953
 
Elements4Health
The information within this website is intended as reference material only and not as medical or professional advice.
Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms.