Additional Information on the Health Benefits of Flax Seed:
Blood Lipid Changes
Flax Seed has been shown to lower serum cholesterol levels in both subjects with normal blood lipid levels and in those with elevated lipid levels. Flax seed lowers blood lipid levels because of its soluble fiber content and its very low saturated fat content.
When 15 patients with elevated blood cholesterol levels were fed 15 grams ground flaxseed and three slices of flax seed-containing bread daily for three months, the patients experienced about a 10 percent decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels as well as a substantial decrease in platelet clumping, while their HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not significantly change. Since defatted flax seed can also produce a major drop in LDL cholesterol with a 70 percent reduction in athero-sclerosis in rabbits after only eight weeks, the cholesterol-lowering substance in flax is probably not the unsaturated fat. In another study 29 subjects with elevated blood cholesterol levels who consumed muffins made from partially defatted flaxseed experienced, on average, an 8 percent drop in their LDL cholesterol levels over three weeks, while their HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged. The regular use of flax seed flour in one's bakery products or morning cereal would appear to be useful in the control of high blood cholesterol levels.
Protection Against Breast Cancer
Animal studies have shown that flax seed added to the diet can significantly reduce the incidence of breast tumors and produce at least a 50 percent reduction in tumor size of chemically induced cancers. The number of tumors may be reduced by almost 40 percent in carcinogen-treated rats. The cancer-protective properties of flax seed are believed to result from their very high level of lignans.
Help for the Bowel
Today flax seed is used as a mild laxative for chronic constipation and to relieve irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis, and enteritis. Flax seed is also used to correct bowel problems caused from the misuse and overuse of stimulant laxatives. The mucilaginous fiber in the seeds can absorb water in the colon, producing soft stools. Flaxseed fiber may also protect against colon cancer. The use of flax seed is considered safe. However, the use of large quantities of flax as a laxative with insufficient fluid intake can produce obstruction of the bowel. For gastritis and enteritis, the dose of coarsely ground meal is one tablespoon of whole seed with 150 milliliters of liquid, taken two to three times a day. A compress can be made from 30 to 50 grams (one to two ounces) of flax flour. German Commission E suggests taking one to three tablespoons of whole or crushed flaxseed two to three times a day for chronic constipation. However, it is important that plenty of water be consumed with this remedy to avoid bowel obstruction.
