Flax Oil Seed Uses
by: Raj Khatri
FLAXSEED OIL
Latin name: Linum usitatissimum
Other names for Flaxseed include: Flax, Flachs, Grain de Lin,
and Lini semen.
Flaxseed oil is an herbal medicine taken by mouth for constipation
(difficulty having a bowel movement), irritable bowel, inflammation
(swelling and soreness) of the colon, stomach inflammation, and
for bowels damaged by the frequent use of laxatives. Flax may
be placed on the skin to treat redness and pain. Animal experiments
suggest an ability to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Some researchers think that lignans in the seeds may have cancer-fighting
effects.
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 reduced blood pressure, lower level
of harmful cholesterol, offer both estrogen-like and anti-estrogenic
effects and is being studied for it ability to protect against
cancer.
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 to treat a number of conditions
including heart disease and has been used as an anti-inflammatory
agent to treat a number of other conditions as well.
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.
Special Cautions
When using Flaxseed as a laxative be sure to take it with plenty
of water to reduce the risk of an intestinal blockage. When taking
it for inflammatory bowel conditions, allow it to swell in water
before use.
Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known.
Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to
your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your
medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are
allergic to it.
* Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
* Chest pain
* Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
FLAXSEED FACTS
Do flaxseed muffins fight breast cancer and prostate cancer?
Should we all be eating flaxseeds and using flaxseed oil on our
salads? Some people would say yes, and it's true that recent research
on the potential health benefits of flax has been promising. But
it pays to delve deeper.
The flax plant, an ancient crop, yields the fiber from which
linen is woven, as well as seeds and oil. Flaxseed oil also comes
in an edible form, sold mostly at health-food stores. Like olive,
canola, and most other plant oils, it is highly unsaturated and
heart-healthy. And flaxseeds have yet another very interesting
component—lingams—which may have anti-cancer properties.
The heart-healthy side of flax
Besides lingams, flaxseeds and their oil are also the best food
sources of an essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. "Essential"
means we must consume it, because our bodies cannot manufacture
it. Essential fatty acids are important for cell membranes, blood
pressure regulation, and other functions. Alpha-lanoline acid
is an omega-3, similar to some of the fatty acids in fish oil.
Like aspirin, omega-3s may reduce blood clotting, thus lessening
the chance of a fatal heart attack. Flaxseeds and their oil may
also lower total blood cholesterol, as well as LDL ("bad")
cholesterol. But that should come as no big surprise, since any
highly unsaturated oil will do that, particularly if substituted
for saturated fats. The fiber in flaxseeds may also help against
cholesterol, since it is soluble (similar to that in oats).
Several population studies have linked a high intake of alpha-linolenic
acid with a reduced risk of heart disease and/or death from heart
disease. And a French study, as we reported in 1999, found that
a diet relatively rich in alpha-linolenic acid greatly reduced
the risk of second heart attacks. (The alpha-linolenic acid in
that study did not come from flaxseeds, but from canola-oil margarine.)
Besides flaxseeds and ca
About The Author
Raj Khatri
For further information please visit
http://www.flaxseed-oil.com
raaj81@gmail.com
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