According to the Country Spice company, Flax Seed Oil:
 helps prevent Atherosclerosis
 lowers elevated Blood Pressure
 may alleviate some cases of Alopecia Areata
 can improve the condition of dull Hair
 is helpful in the treatment of Dandruff
 alleviates some Allergies.
 lowers total serum Cholesterol levels
 lowers LDL Cholesterol level
 increases the body's production of Energy
 alleviates the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
 accelerates the healing of Sprains
 accelerates the healing of Bruises.
 is helpful in the treatment of Eczema.
…and a host of other benefits!
Quick Overview of the Health Benefits of Flax Seed Oil
http://www.country-spice.com/webpages/research/flaxoverview.htm
But does it REALLY do all that? Country Spice doesn’t want to say for
sure:
“**NOTE - Disclaimer - No statement or any part of this website is
intended to
diagnose or prescribe or take the place of a trained physician. It is
presented for your information only. They are opinions only. It is our
feeling that it is your responsibility, obligation, and privilege to
gain knowledge, wisdom, and learn about your own body and what will
benefit your health and well being, so it may enhance your life.”
Disclaimer – Country Spice
http://www.country-spice.com/webpages/research/flaxoverview.htm
A Better Way is considerably more understated about the benefits of
Flax Seed Oil, and is careful to note that the benefits of the oil are
still being studied. Let’s see if we can figure out what makes this
such a wonder supplement.:
“Traditional Use: Cardiovascular disease, High cholesterol, MS,
arthritis.
Also known as linseed oil (Linum usitatissimum) flaxseed oil is rich
in alpha-linolenic acid, one of the omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty
acids seem to be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. Flax
seed oil contains twice as much omega-3 as fish oils and has been
referred to as a plant version of fish oil. It is currently being
studied for its possible role in cancer prevention. Animal studies
done in Canada have shown it to significantly block breast and colon
carcinogens. Several scientific studies show that omega-3 consumption
leads to substantially lower numbers of deaths from coronary heart
disease.”
Flax Seed Oil
http://www.a-better-way.com/catalog/vitamina.html
“Rich in the important Omega-3 oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid, The flax
seed oil benefit is the preferred supplement of leading health and
nutrition experts.”
Flax Seed Oil (from Google’s Cache)
http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:lhFNvvw4pOYC:www.steadyshopper.com/new_products/super_natural_flaxseed_oil_1000_.htm+%22flax+seed+oil%22+%22health+benefits%22
Ah, now we’re getting somewhere! You’ve probably heard about Omega-3
fatty acids in conjunction with prevention of heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, flaxseed oil is rich in
an Omega-3 fatty acid called Alpha-linolenic Acid, and is recommended
to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke:
“We also recommend eating omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources.
Tofu and other forms of soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and
their oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (LNA). This is a less potent
kind of omega-3 fatty acid.”
But don’t overdo it. Taking too much (more than 3 grams a day) can
lead to excessive bleeding, negating any positive benefits:
“People who have high triglycerides (blood fats) may benefit from a
supplement of 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day. Even the 1 gram
per day dose recommended for CVD patients may be more than they can
easily get from diet alone. These people should talk to their doctor
about taking supplements to reduce heart disease risk. Patients
taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements
should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause
excessive bleeding in some people.”
Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632
The Flax Council explains that more than 70% of the fat in flax is
polyunsaturated fat, which has been shown to help lower “bad”
cholesterol levels:
“Part of the reason fats and oils have earned such a bad reputation in
recent years is because people eat too much fat, particularly too much
saturated fat. (Saturated fats raise blood cholesterol levels and
increase the risk for heart disease.)
Although about 41 per cent of flaxseed is oil, very little of that is
saturated. More than 70 per cent of fat in flaxseed is of the
healthful polyunsaturated type. In fact, a unique feature of flaxseed
is the high ratio of alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) to
linoleic (omega-6 fatty acids).
Nutritionists consider these two polyunsaturated fatty acids as
essential because the body cannot manufacture them from any other
substances. (Normally, the body converts carbohydrates, proteins and
fats into fatty acids as needed.) That means they must be eaten as
part of the diet.”
A Focus on Fatty Acids
http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/flaxnut9.htm
GoldenFlax.com discusses the differences between Omega-6 and Omega-3
fatty acids, and how they need to be balanced for good health:
“Omega-6 fatty acids (found in vegetable oils with high proportions of
linolenic acid) are best used by the body in a range of anywhere from
a 4:1 to a 1:1 proportion with the omega-3 fatty acids. We need both
omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Yet, an excess of omega-6 fatty acids
can have dire consequences. Many scientists believe that a major
reason for the high incidence of heart disease, hypertension,
diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer is the extreme imbalance
between our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.”
[…]
“One of the primary reasons we ingest too much of the omega-6 fatty
acid groups in our diet is the mass use of vegetable oils. This
practice is so far-reaching that practically every fried food and
snack food available has been cooked in soybean, corn, sunflower or
canola oil. These oils are usually processed by hydrogenation. This
changes their molecular structure so they are basically good for
frying foods at a high temperature and providing a lengthy shelf-life
in the grocery store. Unfortunately, these molecular properties in the
omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation, blood clotting and tumor
growth.”
[…]
“Trouble is brewed when one fatty acid overpowers another. Clearly,
the data shows we need to seriously increase omega-3 fatty acids in
our diets. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies are increasingly prevalent
with young children. A Purdue University study showed that children
low in omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to
be hyperactive, have learning disorders and to display behavioral
problems.
In the general public, studies have linked omega-3 deficiencies to
chronic health problems of diabetes, cancer, arthritis, inflammatory
diseases, depression, heart disease, hypertension, memory problems,
weight gain and some allergies and skin conditions.”
Flax seed is a major source for omega-3 fatty acids
http://www.goldenflax.com/home_pages/omega3.htm
Of course, a shorter way of explaining all of this is simply that one
should cut back on Omega-6 fatty acids (by eating fewer fried foods
and other saturated fats) and increase one’s Omega-3 intake (by eating
fish, walnuts, tofu…and flax seed if you’re so inclined).
See also:
Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fats
http://www.healthunit.org/nutrition/lifestage/adults/Omega-3.pdf
Flax Seed Oil is a proven source of essential fatty acids:
“Essential fatty acids perform a variety of functions in the body,
including:
* Aiding in the construction of healthy cell walls.
* Keeping saturated fats mobile in the bloodstream.
* Decreasing stickiness of blood platelets.
* Playing a vital role in the production of prostaglandins.
* Helping reduce triglyceride levels in the blood.
* Insulating nerves.
* Normalizing cholesterol levels.
* Supporting the kidneys.
Flax seed oil contains the highest level of alphalinolenic acid of any
known plant source. It also contains high levels of lignans-active
polysaccharides that have anti-estrogenic, antioxidative, antiviral,
antibacterial and antitumor properties, and that offer protection
against some types of autoimmune diseases. Lignans may possess
impressive preventive properties and offer protection to the immune
system.”
[…]
“A diet high in Omegas fatty adds has been linked to many health
benefits. Studies involving people and cultures who traditionally
consumed high amounts of fish and little red meat or hydrogenated oils
such as Eskimos, the Japanese. and South Sea Islanders show a much
lower rate of heart disease and some forms of cancer. These groups of
people also show lower incidence of arthritis, diabetes. and other
diseases. Omega- 3 helps In the prevention of heart disease, by
thinning the blood and removing cholesterol. The National Cancer
Institute is currently studying flax seed for Its potential ability in
preventing cancer.
Flax Seed Oil Liquid
http://www.soulhealer.com/3162-1.htm
Does it really help arthritis? Maybe, but there aren’t any definitive
studies:
“Flaxseed oil is believed by some to help arthritis, but so far there
aren’t any good studies that prove this. The belief it may reduce
inflammation in RA comes from its composition, and from studies that
show it increases levels of the beneficial fatty acid EPA. In a study
of healthy men who limited "bad" fats in the diet, researchers found
flaxseed oil worked as well as fish oil. It’s also possible flaxseed
might help with lupus. In a small study of nine people with lupus
nephritis (kidney inflammation), 30 grams of flaxseed a day
significantly lowered cholesterol, thinned blood, reduced inflammation
and improved kidney function.”
Medical Oils – Arthritis Today
http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/1999_archives/1999_07_08explorations.asp
What about cancer?
“What is the evidence?
Most of the evidence for an anticancer effect of flaxseed and flaxseed
oil comes from animal research. Researchers have found rats or mice
fed flaxseed had significantly smaller and fewer tumor growths after
they were injected with skin cancer or colon cancer cells. Other
studies have shown flaxseed in the diet may reduce the risk of
developing colon cancer and breast cancer among rats exposed to
carcinogens. Animal and laboratory studies may show a certain
substance holds promise as a beneficial treatment, but further studies
are necessary to determine if the results apply to humans.
One small study of men with prostate cancer found that a low-fat diet
supplemented with ground flaxseed reduced serum testosterone, slowed
the growth rate of cancer cells, and increased the death rate of
cancer cells. More research in humans is needed to determine the
usefulness of flaxseed in cancer treatment and prevention.”
Flax Seed
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Flaxseed.asp?sitearea=ETO
See also:
Flaxseed and Low-Fat Diet May Prevent Prostate Cancer
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_2_1x_Flaxseed_and_Low-Fat_Diet_May_Prevent_Prostate_Cancer.asp
Flax Seed is currently in use in clinical trials:
Macrobiotic Diet and Flax Seed: Effects on Estrogens, Phytoestrogens,
& Fibrinolytic Factors
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/w1b/screen/ResultScreen/action/GetStudy?order=19&xml_file_id=xmlfiles%2FNCCAM__NCT00010829.xml%40csdb&JServSessionIdzone_ct=pnoq688vj1
OK, it’s not quite the miracle cure that Country Spice alluded to, but
flax seed oil is some pretty good stuff. There’s actual research into
its health properties, and it’s proven to be rich in Omega-3 fatty
acids, which are linked to decreased risk of heart attack and stroke,
and lower cholesterol. (Omega-3 fatty acids are also responsible for
bright eyes, and healthy hair!) Additionally, it’s being studied for
possible links to fighting cancer. Whether or not is also does all of
the wonderful things (like heal bruises, alleviate alopecia or supress
allergies) that some shops claim remains to be seen, but we at least
have a reliable source explaining the proven health benefits.
So how much should you take? The American Heart Association
recommends no more than 3 grams – which is about 3 tablespoons, so
you’re right on target.
[ Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632 ]
Alternatively, you can purchase whole flax seed at your local health
food store, and grind a bit just before use to toss into your cereal,
sprinkle over your peanut butter or even mix into a glass of orange
juice. In addition to the benefits of ALA, consuming flax seed as
opposed to just the oil will give you a nice fiber boost, which aids
in digestion.
I hope this answers your questions about flax seed oil! If you need
further information or have more questions, please don’t hesitate to
ask for clarification.
I do need to note that I will only be available until Noon EST
Wednesday for additional help, after which I will be on vacation in
Philadelphia until late Sunday evening. I will be available again for
any followup questions you might have on Monday morning. (Wish us
luck, it’s an 8 hour drive, and snow all the way!)
If you need clarification on this question or your DIM/Zinc question
[ http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=160970 ],
I’ll best be able to handle it either tomorrow (Tuesday) or after I
return from vacation. I don’t want to leave you hanging while I’m
away!
--Missy
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