Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a versatile plant that has been around for more than 4000 years. It has been used in making linens, dyes, paper, nets, and soaps among other things. Flaxseed has been consumed mostly in Asia, Europe and Africa. It can be found in brown and yellow varieties. It has recently experienced a revival in popularity, particularly in North America and Australia because of its mixture of nutrients and other components. Flaxseed is known to contain omega 3s, lignans, and fiber. Lignans are both phytoestrogens and antioxidants, and the fibers in Flaxseed contain both the soluble and insoluble kinds. Another reason for the increased interest in Flaxseed is its apparent health benefits. The components of Flaxseed are being researched for their possible effects in helping lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. It has been used as an egg substitute by some users, and its nutty flavor can be combined with a number of different foods such as yogurt or oatmeal.
Potential Benefits of Flaxseed
- Flaxseed may improve cardiovascular health, because of its omega 3 fatty acid content
- May improve attention deficit disorder when combined with Vitamin C
- May lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis
- Lowers cholesterol
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Inflammation reducing properties
- Reduce risk of macular degeneration; studies show the combination of high amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 decreases your risk
Nutritional Content 100g Extract
- 450 kcal
- 41 g fat
- 28 g fiber
- 20 g protein
- 1.55 g sugar
- 27.3 g dietary fiber
- 1.644 mg thiamin
- 0.161 mg riboflavin
- 3.08 mg niacin
- 0.985 mg pantothenic acid
- 0.473 mg vitamin B6
- 0.6 mg vitamin C
- 255 mg calcium
- 5.73 mg iron
- 392 mg magnesium
- 642 mg phosphorus
- 813 mg potassium
- 4.34 mg zinc
What Flaxseed Has
- Alpha Linoleic Acid(omega 3 type)
- Delta 6 enzyme
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Iron
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Pantothenic Acid
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Copper
Citations & Studies
Show/Hide Citations & Studies
- "Flax nutrition profile". Retrieved on 2008-04-24. http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.php?p=g3&mp=nutrition
- Brooks JD, Ward WE, Lewis JE, et al. Supplementation with flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;79(2):318-325.
- Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, et al. Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid. Obes Surg. 2007 Mar;17(3):341-7.
- Joshi K, Lad S, Kale M, et al. Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2006 Jan;74(1):17-21.
- von Schacky C, Angerer P, Kothny W, et al. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 4-6-1999;130(7):554-562.
- Thompson LU, Chen JM, Li T, Strasser-Weippl K, Goss PE (2005). "Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer". Clin. Cancer Res.11 (10): 3828–35. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-2326. PMID 15897583.
- Bazzano LA, He J, Ogden LG, Loria CM, Whelton PK. Dietary fiber intake and reduced risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Sep 8;163(16):1897-904.
- Buchanan HM, Preston SJ, et al. Is diet important in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1991 Apr;30(2):125-34.
- Buckley LM, et al. Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation prevents bone loss in the spine secondary to low-dose corticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125:961-968.
- Archives of Ophthalmology August 2001
- Sorgen, Carol, The Benefits of Flaxseed-Web MD http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed
- Alister D. Muir, Neil D. Westcot, ""Flax: The Genus Linum""., page 3 (August 1, 2003).
- Wardey, A. J. (1967). The Linen Trade: Ancient and Modern. Routledge, 752. ISBN 071461114X. http://www.peertrainer.com/DFcaloriecounterB.aspx?id=3376
- Allman MA, Pena MM, Pang D. Supplementation with flaxseed oil versus sunflowerseed oil in healthy young men consuming a low fat diet: effects on platelet composition and function. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995 Mar;49(3):169-78. PMID:18190.
- Bazzano LA, He J, Ogden LG, Loria CM, Whelton PK. Dietary fiber intake and reduced risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Sep 8;163(16):1897-904.
- Bronner F, Pansu D. Nutritional aspects of calcium absorption. J Nutr. 1999;129:9-12 1999. PMID:9915868.
- Brooks JD, Ward WE, Lewis JE, Hilditch J, Nickell L, Wong E, Thompson LU. Supplementation with flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Feb;79(2):318-25. PMID:14749240.
- Bruce A. Swedish views on selenium. Ann Clin Res 1986;18(1):8-12.
- Buchanan HM, Preston SJ, et al. Is diet important in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1991 Apr;30(2):125-34.
- Buckley LM, et al. Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation prevents bone loss in the spine secondary to low-dose corticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125:961-968.
- Buckwalter JA, et al. ABO blood groups and disease. JAMA 1956; 162(13):1210-1214.
- Caballero B. Vitamin E improves the action of insulin. Nutr Rev 1993 Nov;51(11):339-40.
- Campbell MJ, Koeffler P. Toward therapeutic intervention of cancer by vitamin D compounds. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1997; 89(3):182-185.
- Cappuccio FP, et al. Epidemiologic association between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of published data. Am J Epidemiol 1995;142:935-945.
- Carmel R. Cobalamin, the stomach, and aging. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 Oct 66(4):750-759 1997.
- Carr AC, Zhu BZ, Frei B. Potential antiatherogenic mechanisms of ascorbate (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). Circ Res 2000 Sep 1;87(5):349-54.
- Carter JP, et al. Hypothesis: Dietary management may improve survival from nutritionally linked cancers based on analysis of representative cases. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1993; 12:209-226.
- Chait A, Malinow MR, et al. Increased dietary micronutrients decrease serum homocysteine concentrations in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1999 Nov;70(5):881-7.
- Chen YD, Coulston AM, et al. Why do low-fat high-carbohydrate diets accentuate postprandial lipemia in patients with NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1995 Jan;18(1):10-6.
- Cherbut C, Aube AC, et al. Effects of short-chain fatty acids on gastrointestinal motility. Scand J Gastroentero Suppl. 1997;222:58-61 1997. PMID:9145449.
- Chevront SN. The Zone diet and athletic performance. Sports Medicine 1999; 27(4): 213-228.
- Chung TW, Yu JJ, Liu DZ. Reducing lipid peroxidation stress of erythrocyte membrane by alpha-tocopherol nicotinate plays an important role in improving blood rheological properties in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy. Diabet Med 1998 May;15(5):380-5.
- Cleland LG, James MJ. Rheumatoid arthritis and the balance of dietary N-6 and N-3 essential fatty acids. Br J Rheumatol 1997 May;36(5):513-4.
- Clemente A. Enzymatic protein hydrolysates in human nutrition. Trends Food Sci Tech. 2000;11:254-262 2000.
- Clementz GL, Schade SG. The spectrum of vitamin B12 deficiency. Am Fam Physician, 1990 Jan 41(1):150-162 1990.
- Colditz GA, Manson JE, et al. Diet and risk of clinical diabetes in women. Am J Clin Nutr 1992 May;55(5):1018-23.
- Connor SL, Connor WE. Are fish oils beneficial in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 Oct;66(4 Suppl):1020S-31S.
- Cook JD, Dassenko SA, Whittaker P. Calcium supplementation: effect on iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:106-11.
- Corsonello A, Ientile R, et al. Serum ionized magnesium levels in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria. Am J Nephrol 2000 May-2000 Jun 30;20(3):187-92.
- Craig WJ. Iron status of vegetarians. Am J Clin Nutr 1994; 59(suppl): 1233S-7S.
- Cunnane SC, Hamadeh MJ, Liede AC, et al. Nutritional attributes of traditional flaxseed in healthy young adults. Am J Clin Nutr 1995 Jan;61(1):62-8. PMID:18200.
- Dagnelie PC, et al. High prevalence of rickets in infants on macrobiotic diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1990; 51(2):202-208.
- Dagnelie PC, et al. Macrobiotic nutrition and child health: results of a population-based, mixed-longitudinal cohort study in The Netherlands. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994; 59: 1187S-1196S.
- Dangelie PC, et al. Stunting and nutrient deficiencies in children on alternative diets. Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl 1991; 374:111-8.
- Darlington G, Jump A, Ramsey N. Dietary treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Practitioner 1990 May 8;234(1488):456-60.
- Darlington LG, Ramsey NW. Review of dietary therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Compr Ther 1994;20(9):490-4.
- Davis, RE. Clinical chemistry of vitamin B12. Adv Clin Chem 1984 24:163-216.
- Dawson-Hughes B, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on wintertime and overall bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Annals of Internal Medicine 1991; 115(7):505-512.
- de Valk B, Marx JJ. Iron, atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease. Arch Intern Med 1999 Jul 26;159(14):1542-8.
- De Vriese AS, De Sutter JH, et al. Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia in cardiovascular disease. Acta Cardiol 1998;53(6):337-44 1998.
- Del Toma E, Lintas C, et al. Soluble and insoluble dietary fibre in diabetic diets. Eur J Clin Nutr 1988 Apr;42(4):313-9.
- Delpre G, Stark P, and Niv Y. Sublingual therapy for cobalamin deficiency as an alternative to oral and parenteral cobalamin supplementation. Lancet 1999 Aug 28 354(9180):740-741 1999.
- Dexter JD, Roberts J, Byer JA. The five hour glucose tolerance test and effect of low sucrose diet in migraine. Headache 1978 May;18(2):91-4.
- DiSilvestro RA. Zinc in relation to diabetes and oxidative disease. J Nutr 2000 May;130(5S Suppl):1509S-11S.
- Dockray GJ, Varro A, et al. The gastrins: their production and biological activities. Annu Rev Physiol. 2001;63:119-139 2001. PMID:11181951.
- Don BR, Schambelan M. Diabetes, dietary protein and glomerular hyperfiltration. West J Med 1987 Oct;147(4):449-55.
- D'Adamo PJ. Gut ecosystems II: Lectins and other mitogens. The Townsend Letter for Doctors 1991.
- Eastwood, GL. Pharmacologic prevention of colonic neoplasms. Effects of calcium, vitamins, omega fatty acids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cancer Causes Control 1997;8:786-802 1996.
- Editors of Vegetarian Times. Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. Macmillan: New York, 1995.
- Eibl NL, Kopp HP, et al. Hypomagnesemia in type II diabetes: effect of a 3-month replacement therapy. Diabetes Care 1995 Feb;18(2):188-92.
- el-Yazigi A, Hannan N, Raines DA. Urinary excretion of chromium, copper, and manganese in diabetes mellitus and associated disorders. Diabetes Res 1991 Nov;18(3):129-34.
- Emmert DH, Kirchner JT. The role of vitamin E in the prevention of heart disease. Arch Fam Med 1999 Nov-1999 Dec 31;8(6):537-42.
- Ensminger AH, Ensminger, ME, Kondale JE, Robson JRK. Foods & Nutriton Encyclopedia. Pegus Press, Clovis, California 1983.
- Ensminger AH, Esminger M. K. J. e. al. Food for Health: A Nutrition Encyclopedia. Clovis, California: Pegus Press; 1986. PMID:15210.
- Ercan N, Nuttall FQ, et al. Plasma glucose and insulin responses to bananas of varying ripeness in persons with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr 1993 Dec;12(6):703-9.
- Facino RM, Carini M, et al. Diet enriched with procyanidins enhances antioxidant activity and reduces myocardial post-ischaemic damage in rats. Life Sci 1999;64(8):627-42 1999.
- Fahrer H, Hoeflin F, et al. Diet and fatty acids: can fish substitute for fish oil. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1991 Jul-1991 Aug 31;9(4):403-6.
- Fenichel GM. Migraine in children. Neurol Clin 1985 Feb;3(1):77-94.
- Fennema OR (Ed.). Food chemistry. Second edition. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1985 1985.
- Festen HP. Intrinsic factor secretion and cobalamin absorption. Physiology and pathophysiology in the gastrointestinal tract. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1991;188:1-7 1991. PMID:1775933.
- Flax Council. Flax History. http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/hisindex.htm 2001.
- George SL, Polascik TJ, Albala M, Walther PJ, Moul J, Madden JF, Snyder DC, Hars V, Switzer BR, Vollmer RT, Demark-Wahnefried W. Flaxseed and prostate cancer risk. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2007 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 25, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2007: 1510.
- Griel AE, Kris-Etherton PM, Hilpert KF, Zhao G, West SG, Corwin RL. An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans. Nutr J. 2007 Jan 16;6:2. PMID:17227589.
- Harper CR, Edwards MJ, DeFilipis AP, Jacobson TA. Flaxseed oil increases the plasma concentrations of cardioprotective (n-3) fatty acids in humans. J Nutr. 2006 Jan;136(1):83-7. PMID:16365063.
- Kinniry P, Amrani Y, Vachani A, Solomides CC, Arguiri E, Workman A, Carter J, Christofidou-Solomidou M. Dietary flaxseed supplementation ameliorates inflammation and oxidative tissue damage in experimental models of acute lung injury in mice. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1545-51. PMID:16702319.
- Kurzer MS, Lampe JW, Martini MC, Adlercreutz H. Fecal lignan and isoflavonoid excretion in premenopausal women consuming flaxseed powder. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1995 Jun;4(4):353-8. PMID:18180.
- Lucas EA, Wild RD, Hammond LJ et al. Flaxseed improves lipid profile without altering biomarkers of bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002 Apr;87(4):1527-32 2002.
- Mandasescu S, Mocanu V, Dascalita AM, Haliga R, Nestian I, Stitt PA, Luca V. Flaxseed supplementation in hyperlipidemic patients. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2005 Jul-Sep;109(3):502-6. PMID:16607740.
- Mantzioris E, James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Nutritional attributes of dietary flaxseed oil. Am J Clin Nutr 1995 Oct;62(4):841-2. PMID:18170.
- Miljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilbard JP, Buring JE, Schaumberg DA. Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):887-93. PMID:16210721.
- Nesbitt PD, Thompson LU. Lignans in homemade and commercial products containing flaxseed. Nutr Cancer 1997;29(3):222-7. PMID:18160.
- Paschos GK, Magkos F, Panagiotakos DB, Votteas V, Zampelas A. Dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil lowers blood pressure in dyslipidaemic patients. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan 31; [Epub ahead of print] . PMID:17268413.
- Pruthi S, Thompson SL, Novotny PJ, Barton DL, Kottschade LA, Tan AD, Sloan JA, Loprinzi CL. Pilot evaluation of flaxseed for the management of hot flashes. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007 Summer;5(3):106-12. PMID:17761129.
- Ueshima H, Stamler J, Elliott P, Chan Q, Brown IJ, Carnethon MR, Daviglus ML, He K, Moag-Stahlberg A, Rodriguez BL, Steffen LM, Van Horn L, Yarnell J, Zhou B. Food Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake of Individuals (Total, Linolenic Acid, Long-Chain) and Their Blood Pressure. INTERMAP Study. Hypertension. 2007 Jun 4; [Epub ahead of print] . PMID:17548718.
- Wood, Rebecca. The Whole Foods Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Prentice-Hall Press; 1988. PMID:15220.
Safety Notes
If you are taking blood thinners, hemophilic, or suffering from liver disease, be cautious about the amount of flaxseed you consume since it reduces your natural blood clotting ability. Orovo recommends that you consult a physician before you begin taking any new health supplement blend.
Orovo Products containing Flaxseed
Share your knowldege with everyone!