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.)
About The Author
Raj Khatri
For further information please visit
http://www.flaxseed-oil.com
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