|
 Flaxseed is used throughout the world for food,
medicine, and fiber to make clothes and many other consumer goods
products. Historically, flaxseed has been used in connection with a
number of conditions including heart disease and has been used as an
anti-inflammatory agent for a number of other conditions as
well.
Health Benefits of Flaxseed
Oil
It is believed that flaxseed oil offers a myriad
of health benefits through supplementation. Recent research
indicates that flaxseed oil may have the ability to reduce blood
pressure, lower levels of harmful cholesterol, offer both
estrogen-like and anti-estrogenic effects, and is being studied for
its ability to protect against cancer.
In animal studies and
small human studies, flaxseed produced low but identifiable
reductions in low-density lipoproteins, the "bad" type of
cholesterol. The results of another animal study using flaxseed oil
indicated a small decrease in blood pressure. Unfortunately, to date
these finding have not been proven with human studies. Flaxseed has
some estrogen-like effects and also possible anti-estrogenic
effects, both of which have been studied for possible protection
against certain types of breast and prostate cancers. However, when
these effects were tested in several laboratory studies and a few
human studies, the results were inconclusive. In some of the
studies, flaxseed products appeared to prevent or delay cancer,
while in other research the incidence and/or progression of cancer
seemed to be increased. Additional studies are underway to assess
further the effects of flaxseed and flaxseed oil on breast and
prostate cancers and on menopausal symptoms.
More recently,
flaxseed has been studied for its potential to prevent kidney damage
in individuals who have an autoimmune condition known as systemic
lupus erythematous (SLE). Some evidence from animal studies and
human case reports supports the use for SLE, but more studies are
needed before flaxseed can be recommended for this
use.
Flaxseed oil can be applied externally to soften dry
skin. Also for skin application, a poultice can be created by mixing
whole or crushed flaxseed with about three times as much hot water
as the amount of flaxseed and then letting the mixture stand until
it makes a thick gel. A soft cloth is then covered with the gel,
possibly heated, and applied to an aching or injured area of skin
surface.
Dosage and Administration
As
flaxseed is also a common food product, it can be ground or crushed
and added to beverages, breads, and other baking products. Also
available are flaxseed powder-filled capsules. Flaxseed oil comes in
soft capsules or as a liquid, which both must be protected from heat
and light.
For use as a laxative, mix one tablespoonful in
water and take two or three times daily. Since flaxseed swells when
it mixed with fluids, make sure to use at least 8 ounces of water
for each tablespoonful of flaxseed to prevent intestinal
blockage.
Alternatively, one to three tablespoons of flaxseed
oil can be used per day as a laxative by adding it to food such as
breads, salads, meals, or beverages. Note: Do not heat flaxseed oil
as heat diminishes its nutritional value.
When taking
flaxseed to combat high cholesterol, take 40 to 50 grams
(approximately three tablespoons) of flaxseed or one to three
tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily or as suggested by the
manufacturer’s label.
NOTE: Flaxseed oil
sold for planting, painting, or other purposes should not be used as
a supplement, additive, or external application for the
body.
Supporting
Literature
Appel LJ. Nonpharmacologic
therapies that reduce blood pressure: a fresh perspective. Clin
Cadiol. 1999;22(Suppl. III):III1-III5.
Chan JK, Bruce VM,
McDonald BE. Dietary a-linolenic acid is as effective as oleic acid
and linoleic acid in lowering blood cholesterol in normolipidemic
men. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:1230-1234.
Danao-Camara TC, Shintani
TT. The dietary treatment of inflammatory arthritis: case reports
and review of the literature. Hawaii Med J.
1999;58(5):126-131.
Klurfeld DM, Bull AW. Fatty acids and colon
cancer in experimental models. Am J Clin Nut. 1997;66(6
Suppl):1530-1538.
Singer P, Jaeger W, Berger I, et al. Effects of
dietary oleic, linoleic and a-linolenic acids on blood pressure,
serum lipids, lipoproteins and the formation of eicosanoid
precursors in patients with mild essential hypertension. J Human
Hypertension 1990;4:227-233.
|
