We strongly advise any change in your current medical treatment
be consulted with and approved by your physician or other health
care professional (see our medical disclaimer below).
In our society's ever growing campaign for good health,
finding natural products that provide a wide range of benefits
and are easily and safely ingested has become the ultimate
quest. One such naturally occuring substance is flax seeds.
Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and have been
credited with combating heart disease by lowering blood pressure
and helping to keep arteries clear. Studies also are being
conducted to investigate its role in "dissolving" tumors,
combating diabetes, treating and preventing arthritis, in
addition to several other ailments. Below highlights some
of the recent medical and scientific studies documenting
some of the wide ranging benefits of flax seeds related to the fight against heart disease.
Dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake and cardiovascular risk. in the August 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. < abstract >
SUMMARY: Study stated that sources of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil, and soybean oil. Because of the remarkable cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of food sources that provide omega-3 fatty acids should be increased in the diet to decrease CVD risk significantly.
Dietary flax seed in prevention of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. in the July 1997 issue of Atherosclerosis. < abstract >
SUMMARY: Stubdy showed that dietary
flax seeds could significantly decrease plaque formation in rabbits.
The effect of flax seed cultivars with differing content
of alpha-linolenic acid and lignans on responses to mental
stress. in the December 2003 issue of Journal of the
American College of Nutrition Online. < abstract >
Compared to the pre-treatment baseline diet, all three strains
of flax significantly reduced blood pressure during mental
stress induced by a frustrating mental task.
SUMMARY: Flax
reduces certain responses to stress and thus may afford
protection against atherosclerosis.
Flaxseed increased alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic
acid and decreased arachidonic acid in serum and tissues
of rat dams and offspring. in the June 2003 issue of
Food and Chemical Toxicology.
< abstract >
The effects of dietary flaxseed (FS), and defatted flaxseed
meal (FLM) on serum and tissue fatty acid profiles were investigated.
SUMMARY: Flaxseed more than FLM, changed fatty acids profiles
and flaxseed significantly reduced serum cholesterol.
Flaxseed and cardiovascular risk. in the January
2004 issue of Nutrition Reviews. < abstract >
Flaxseed has recently gained attention in the area of cardiovascular
disease primarily because it is the richest known source
of both alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the phytoestrogen,
lignans, as well as being a good source of soluble fiber. Human
studies have shown that flaxseed can modestly reduce serum
total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations,
reduce postprandial glucose absorption, decrease some markers
of inflammation, and raise serum levels of the omega-3 fatty
acids, ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid. Data on the antiplatelet,
antioxidant, and hypotensive effects of flaxseed, however,
are inconclusive. More research is needed to define the role
of this functional food in reducing cardiovascular risk.
The American Heart Association found that women with increased
dietary intake of the isoflavones and lignans found in soy and
flax decreased their risk for atherosclerosis and arterial degeneration.
Flax is "...by far the richest source of lignans", according
to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, which also
noted their beneficial effects on bone.
Every day more and more people are adding all natural and completely
safe golden flax seeds to their daily breakfast, lunch
or dinner routines.
FLAX Your way toward Better Health!!
OTHER POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF FLAX SEED **
The Cancer Letters cited a University of Toronto study demonstrating
flax seed's measurable contributions to the reduction of both the
incidence and spread of breast cancer.
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine reported a study
showing a particular flax lignan to have reduced adult-onset diabetes
by 80%.
Flaxseed inhibits metastasis and decreases extracellular
vascular endothelial growth factor in human breast cancer
xenografts. in the November 2002 issue of Cancer Letters.
SUMMARY: It is shown that supplementation of 10% flaxseed,
the richest source of mammalian lignans, to nude mice with
established human breast tumors reduced tumor growth and
metastasis. |