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What is flaxseed? What health benefits does it provide?
Flax is an ancient crop. Native to Eurasia, its first recorded use comes from Babylon — about 3000 B.C. There, it was cultivated for food. It also was used to make a fabric used in clothing. (These days, linen comes from flax). Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician called the "father of medicine," wrote of using flaxseed for the relief of abdominal pain. And, the greatest of all medieval kings, Charlemagne, considered flax so healthy that he passed laws requiring its consumption. Nutrition researchers have identified several substances in flaxseed that appear to have health benefits: lignans, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Lignans are phytoestrogens (phyto = plant) that are thought to bind to estrogen receptors in the body and may have a role in preventing hormonally related cancers of the breast, endometrium and prostate. Populations with higher intakes of phytoestrogens seem to have a lower incidence and mortality from these cancers. The American Institute for Cancer Research has funded a study testing the effects on lignans and breast tumor development in humans. Although lignans are found in most unrefined grains (barley, buckwheat, millet and oats), soybeans, and some vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and spinach), flaxseed is the richest source. A daily consumption of 5 to 25 grams of ground flaxseed has been used in most studies. Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber (about 28 grams total fiber per 100 grams of flaxseed). About one-third of the fiber is soluble. Studies have found that the soluble fiber in flaxseed — like that found in oat bran and fruit pectin — can help lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber also has been found to help regulate blood sugar levels. The remaining two-thirds of the fiber in flaxseed is insoluble. Insoluble fiber aids digestion by increasing bulk, reducing the time that waste remains in the body and preventing constipation. These characteristics seem to have a role in protecting against cancer. Flaxseed also is rich in alpha-linolenic acid that is both an essential fatty acid and an omega-3 fatty acid. Researchers are interested in omega-3 fatty acids for their roles in proper infant growth and development, reducing risk factors for heart disease and stroke (regulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood clotting), immune and inflammatory disorders. There are concerns that a typical Western diet has too little omega-3 fat compared to omega-6 fat (which comes from vegetable oils). Canadian dietary guidelines recommend a daily intake of 1.0 to 1.5 grams of omega-3 fat (found in 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil). Although there is no specific U.S. dietary guideline for omega-3 fat, health experts agree that foods containing this fat should be a part of a healthy diet. Other omega-3 containing foods include walnuts, soybean and canola oils, and fatty fish (salmon, swordfish, mackerel and herring). There also are omega-3 enriched eggs from hens that are fed flaxseed.
Incorporating flaxseed into a diet is simple and can add a tasty twist to routine foods and dishes. The small, reddish-brown whole seeds have a nutty taste and can be sprinkled over salads, soups, yogurt or cereals. Whole (or ground) flaxseed can replace some of the flour in bread, muffin, pancake and cookie recipes. Because of its high fat content, it can also be used to replace part or all of the fat in baked goods recipes. (One cup of flaxseed may replace 1/3 cup fat). Time in the oven should be adjusted to allow for more rapid browning when using flaxseed in baked goods. Flaxseed oil also is readily available and may be substituted for other oils.  | |
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Do Flaxseed Lignans Prevent Breast Cancers?
April 20, 2003 Flaxseed may protect postmenopausal women against breast cancer, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota, the American Chemical Society reports this week. According to the study's lead researcher, Dr. Joanne Slavin at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, their recent study is believed to be the first to show that flax may be protective against breast cancer in humans. Slavin and her associates studied 28 postmenopausal nuns in a convent in central Minnesota, chosen primarily because of their strict dietary practices. The volunteers were given daily dietary supplements of either zero, five or ten grams of ground flaxseed for seven week cycles over the course of a year. Consumption of five or ten grams of flax significantly decreased blood levels of certain types of estrogen that are characteristic of postmenopausal women. Since previous studies have shown that increased levels of these estrogens (estrone sulfate and estradiol) may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, reducing levels of these hormones is thought to be protective against breast cancer, according to the researchers. The exact mechanism by which flaxseed exerts its effect is not known. Flaxseed is considered the most concentrated food source of lignan, a type of plant hormone that is structurally similar to estrogen. Lignan may lower estrogen in humans by inhibiting enzymes that are involved in estrogen synthesis, Slavin says. Although Slavin believes that lignans are likely the most active chemical component of flax affecting hormone levels, she adds that other components are also thought to lower the cancer risk, including omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fibre. Further studies are needed to determine whether these or an undetermined chemical contributes to the beneficial effects of flax and to determine the chemical mechanisms underlying this effect, she says. Flaxseed comes from the flax plant and its seeds are ground into a powder and used to make breads and cereals. It is also sold as an oil.
Dr. Slavin was keen to stress that further research was required in order to thoroughly examine the effect that flaxseed may have of reducing breast cancer in postmenopausal women. | |
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Could Flaxseed Help Slow Prostate Cancer?
Study By Christopher Doering WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A common fiber supplement called flaxseed could slow the progression of prostate cancer in men when included as part of a low-fat diet, scientists said on Wednesday. Researchers led by Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried at Duke University said flaxseed contains a fiber compound called lignan that may slow tumor growth by binding to the male hormone testosterone, which is believed to contribute to the progression of prostrate cancer. Flaxseed also contains omega-3 fatty acids, a potentially healthy fat that has slowed cancer growth in animals. Demark-Wahnefried and others cautioned that further studies are necessary to determine whether the reduction in cancer growth was caused by the flaxseed, a low fat diet, or a combination of the two elements. "The results are compelling, but...(it) is premature to tell people to use flaxseed," Demark-Wahnefried said in a telephone interview. "Ultimately we want to see if it (flaxseed) has a role in cancer prevention." The study will be published in the July issue of the journal Urology. The findings are being reviewed by the National Cancer Institute, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the No. 2 cause of cancer death among U.S. men, according to the American Cancer Society. The group estimated that 198,100 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and 31,500 men will die of it in 2001. LOWER TUMOR CELL PROLIFERATION RATES The Duke study involved 25 cancer patients who were awaiting the removal of their prostrate. Each member of the trial group consumed each day three tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed into cereal, yogurt, applesauce or juice. Demark-Wahnefried found that men who were on a low-fat, flaxseed-supplemented diet for an average of 34 days experienced decreased levels of testosterone, lower tumor cell proliferation rates and higher levels of cancer cell death. The researchers compared the results to tissue samples taken from other patients who had prostate cancer but did not consume flaxseed or follow a low-fat diet. Patients with less advanced prostate cancer reported a greater decrease in a key marker of cancer growth, the study showed. Flaxseed is a common form of grain that recently has grown in popularity because of its potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Dr. William Dahut, a researcher of prostate cancer at the National Cancer Institute, said the study supports earlier findings showing that hormonal treatments, which shut down testosterone production, are successful in killing cancer cells. In the Duke study, the flaxseed impeded the action of testosterone, which may spur the growth of tumors. Dahut said a larger sample group exposed to a flaxseed diet for a longer period of time was needed to gauge if cancer growth continued to slow and if side effects occurred from decreased levels of testosterone. Such problems could include hot flashes, decreased sexual drive or breast enlargement.
"The benefit of 34 days of treatment is virtually unknown," Dahut said. "But, potentially in certain patients with current prostate cancer who do not want full hormonal therapy, this may be a way to treat their cancer with less side effects." | |
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Can Flaxseed Lower Cholesterol in Women?
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Flaxseed may help to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood of postmenopausal women, researchers report. Overall, total cholesterol fell in the women by an average of 6%, according to the report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. While LDL cholesterol fell, so did HDL ("good") cholesterol, resulting in only a minor reduction in the ratio of "bad" to "good" cholesterol. Flaxseed is a whole grain that can be found in health food stores and some supermarkets. It can be sprinkled on food, or is sometimes used in baked goods, such as muffins or bread. Flaxseed is rich in lignans, a group of phytoestrogens. These plant-based estrogen-like compounds are associated with lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, possibly due to their fiber and omega-3 fatty acid content. In the study, volunteers consumed 40 grams of either ground flaxseed or wheat daily for 3 months. All 36 women who completed the study took a supplement containing 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D, which helps the body to absorb calcium. Apolipoprotein B (apo B), a cholesterol-carrying molecule that may be a more sensitive indicator of heart disease risk than cholesterol alone, fell by nearly 8% among women who consumed flaxseed. There was no reduction in cholesterol among women who took the wheat supplement, report researchers, and neither the flaxseed nor the wheat had any affect on bone metabolism. "The findings of the present study suggest that flaxseed consumption by postmenopausal women is effective in reducing...known risk factors of coronary heart disease," Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and colleagues conclude. But more research is needed into the mechanisms, they add.
SOURCE: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002;87:1527-1532. | |
What might help depression beside St. John's Wort?
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Can flaxseed help prevent Type II diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes. Type I most often appears during childhood or adolescence. Type II affects 90 to 95% of people with diabetes and most often appears after age 40. However, it is no longer considered an adult-only disease. It is now being found at younger ages and is even being diagnosed among children and teens. Type II diabetes is linked to obesity and physical inactivity. Late onset adult diabetes (Type II) is suspected to originate partially from a deficiency of Omega-3s and an excess of saturated and trans-fats in the diet. A concurrent lack of vitamins and minerals makes the disease worse. Researchers predict that diabetes will continue to increase as an increasing portion of the population struggles with obesity. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the risk of diabetes increases by 4% for every excess pound of weight. Although this syndrome can take as long as 30 years to emerge as a full blown disease, reversal of symptoms can occur with positive changes in the diet and lifestyle. For people with diabetes, a healthy diet is key to a healthy life. Incorporating Foods Alive Golden Flax Crackers into your daily diet may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes. It is important for individuals with both forms of diabetes to bring their blood sugar levels under control. Studies chronicled in the British Journal of Nutrition confirmed that the blood glucose levels of people in the study group who consumed flax daily for four weeks were reduced by 27%. Omega-3s may also lower the insulin requirement of diabetics. Research shows that incorporating flax into your daily diet helps to manage blood sugar levels. However, because flax oil lacks the fiber found in flaxseed, it appears to have no effect on blood sugar.1 Foods Alive Golden Flax Crackers are also an excellent source of plant-based protein. Selecting proteins that are low in fat is very important for individuals with diabetes. 1 REINHARDT-MARTIN Jane. Flax Your Way To Better Health p. 44 TSA Press 2001 Back to Top | |
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What is the best way to consure Flaxseed?
Grind it fresh every day in a coffee grinder and add it to everything! Back to Top | |
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What is the difference between Gold and Brown flaxseed?
Nutritionally not much… our main reason for using golden flaxseed is taste. Golden flaxseed usually has a lighter nuttier flavor, while brown flaxseed can be a little bitter. Back to Top | |
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How much flaxseed should I eat?
Each serving of flaxseed provides 35-40% of your daily fiber intake. So three (3) servings of flaxseed everyday will provide your body with the necessary fiber it needs. (As you add fiber to your diet, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids, since fiber draws water into the intestines.) Back to Top | |
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Can I eat too much flaxseed?
As with anything, you have to have balance. Flaxseed contains a wonder balance of both soluble and insoluble fiber. If you are constipated, flax helps to break down and push your movements along. If you are loose (diarrhea), flax helps to bulk up and ease your movements along. Although excessive intakes of dietary fiber may interfere with the absorption of some nutrients, moderate intakes (i.e., 20 - 35 grams/day) do not appear to pose a problem for the healthy adult. Back to Top | |
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How long does flaxseed/meal/oil last?
Whole flaxseed can last for over a year at room temperature and even longer when kept cold in a refrigerator or freezer. Flax meal should be made fresh whenever needed to help ensure quality and flavor. It can be kept in a refrigerator/freezer to maximize shelf life, but should be used within a couple of days. Flax oil usually lasts around 4 months from the time of pressing and may be kept longer if frozen. Only buy flax oil with a “Pressed On” date shown on the bottle. Some companies add preservatives to make their flax oil last longer or to make it shelf-stable, but we prefer not to consume preservatives. The easiest way to tell if your flax products are no longer good is to simply smell them. They will start to smell a bit fishy when they are reaching the end of their life cycle. Back to Top | |
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At what temperature do you dehydrate your flax crackers?
Our process is proprietary for patent reasons. However, we can tell you that it is done at a low enough temperature to not destroy the enzymes in the flaxseed. We have taken our finished cracker and sprouted them to ensure that the living enzymes are still intact. Back to Top | |
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Does flaxseed need to be ground up?
Not necessarily, the flaxseed in our Flax Crackers is soaked in water and then dehydrated. Soaking breaks down the hard outer shell and starts the life process. Dehydrating then makes the seed crunchy so you can easily chew them with your teeth. This chewing process also brings your own digestive enzymes in to the equation making the flax even more digestible. Back to Top | |
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Can flaxseed help me to lose weight?
Yes it can help, but just like everything else you need to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. For more info about weight lose, see The Fiber35 Diet  by Brenda Watson, C.N.C. and also
The Perricone Weight-Loss Diet by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., FACNBack to Top | |
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What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. In fact, infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include extreme tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation. Back to Top | |
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Which is better? Flax oil or Fish Oil?
This is a highly debated topic... Fish Oil contains EPA and DHA Omega-3’s; while Flax Oil contains ALA Omega-3’s which the body can convert into EPA and DHA Omega-3’s. We prefer Flax oil for a number of reasons; it is a renewable plant source that is organically farmed, minimally processed, and easily replanted; while fish oils can be ecologically damaging, highly processed (to remove heavy metals and other possible contaminates) and fish levels are irreplaceably depleted. You can find more information about this topic in our Research Center. Back to Top | |
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Are any of your products Gluten Free?
Yes, ALL of the products we make at Foods Alive are Gluten Free. We use dedicated equipment for our products, and we do NOT manufacture any products that contain wheat, gluten, tree nuts, or animal product of any kind. Back to Top | |
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Can flaxseed help protect against cancer?
Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, beneficial for heart and brain health and helpful in treating inflammatory conditions. Research shows flaxseed powder is also important because it contains lignans, highly potent phytochemicals that are similar to isoflavones found in soy. Flax lignans are converted into the types of lignans that have been shown to protect against cancer in cell and animal studies. The most plausible reason: Lignans structurally resemble estrogens and may function as weak estrogens or estrogen antagonists (Journal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1987, vol. 27, no. 4). Research shows breast cancer patients have low levels of these lignans, suggesting that consumption of them may exert cancer-preventive or protective effects (Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1998, vol. 12, no. 4). While lignans are found in a variety of legumes and grains, flaxseed by far provides the greatest abundance of these important phytochemicals. Dan Lukaczer, ND is director of clinical services at the Functional Medicine Research Center, a division of HealthComm International Inc., in Gig Harbor, Wash. Back to Top | |
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Can I cook with Flax Oil?
No, cooking with flax oil is not recommended. The Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids are very delicate and high heat will destroy them. But, you can use it after cooking on a number of dishes. Pour yourself a bowl of soup, then add some of our High Lignan flax oil to make it a creamy delight, this is great for potato soups or any others that call for milk! You can use the Mike's Special or Sweet Mustard on fish or chicken as a dipping sauce, or on sauteed veggies and pasta's. If you have a favorite way of enjoying flax oils, please tell us! Back to Top |
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