Flaxseed Powder

Flaxseed Powder

Flaxseed is an oily seed from the Flax plant (Linumusitatissimum). The nutritional profile of flaxseed is exceptional. In fact, the seeds from flax have been used for centuries in Egypt and China in the treatment of various medical conditions. The medicinal properties of flaxseed are thought to be related to its nutritional content because it is highly rich in fatty acids (no cholesterol), amino acids, protein, fiber, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Flaxseeds are widely sold in health stores in the form of capsules or pills.

Benefits of Flaxseed Powder

Strong scientific studies support the therapeutic and beneficial properties of taking flaxseed. Among its immense health benefits, here are some that are worth mentioning:

Lowers High Cholesterol Levels

The fiber and linoleic acid content in flaxseed can help lower cholesterol concentrations in the blood. One study found that postmenopausal women with high cholesterol levels who included whole flaxseeds in their diet for 6 weeks lowered their cholesterol levels by 7% compared to baseline measurements.^[1] Similarly, another study involving postmenopausal women also demonstrated the cholesterol-lowering ability of flaxseed, this time taken daily for 3 months.^[2]

Improves Blood Sugar Levels

Flaxseed intake may also help lower blood sugar, making it good for persons with type-2 diabetes. A study on Native American postmenopausal women showed that whole flaxseed may help keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable.^[3] Another study on diabetics showed that ground flaxseed supplementation significantly lowered blood sugar levels without any adverse effects.^[4]   

Maintains Healthy Kidneys

Flaxseed supplementation may help improve kidney function as well as treat kidney disorders. In one study assessing the effects of flaxseed supplementation in patients with lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation), a significant improvement in creatinine clearance (kidney’s ability to excrete waste products) and reduction in inflammatory markers were observed in the group who took 30 grams of flaxseed per day.^[5]     

Fights Cancer

Dietary flaxseed has the potential to prevent cancer. In postmenopausal women with confirmed breast cancer who were given 25 grams flaxseed per day, researchers found that the treatment significantly reduced tumor growth by inducing programmed cell death in breast cancer cells.^[6]

 Prevents Heart Disease

Flaxseed has recently gained widespread attention in the prevention of heart disease primarily because of its nutritional content. Studies show that flaxseed is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), phytoestrogen, lignans, and soluble fiber – all of which helps reduce inflammatory markers of heart disease and other major risk factors including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels.^[7] In addition, flaxseed supplementation is associated with improved blood circulation to the heart and a lower risk for ischemic heart disease.^[8]

Helps Lose Weight

Taking adequate amounts of flaxseed may help reduce body fat percentage. When researchers administered 600 mg flaxseed complex in older patients with type 2 diabetes, they found a significant reduction in body fat as evidenced by smaller waist circumference.^[9]

References:

1. Arjmandi B. et al. 1998. Whole flaxseed consumption lowers serum LDL-cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) concentrations in postmenopausal women. Nutrition Research; 18 (7) 1203-1214.
2. Lucas E. et al. 2002. Flaxseed Improves Lipid Profile without Altering Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women. Endocrine Care; 87 (4) 1527.
3. Korlagunta K. 2001. The Effects of Flaxseed on the Glucose Profile in Native American Postmenopausal Women (Dissertation).Oklahoma State University.
4. Mani U. et al. 2011. An Open-Label Study on the Effect of Flax Seed Powder (Linumusitatissimum) Supplementation in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Dietary Supplements; 8 (3) 257-265.
5. Clark WF, Parbtani A, Huff MW, et al. Flaxseed: a potential treatment for lupus nephritis. Kidney Int. 1995;48(2):475-80.
6. Thompson LU, Chen JM, Li T, Strasser-weippl K, Goss PE. Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2005;11(10):3828-35.
7. Bloedon LT, Szapary PO. Flaxseed and cardiovascular risk. Nutr Rev. 2004;62(1):18-27.
8. Bassett CM, Rodriguez-leyva D, Pierce GN. Experimental and clinical research findings on the cardiovascular benefits of consuming flaxseed. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009;34(5):965-74.
9. E. Barre, K. A. Mizier-Barre, E. Stelmach, et al., “Flaxseed Lignan Complex Administration in Older Human Type 2 Diabetics Manages Central Obesity and Prothrombosis—An Invitation to Further Investigation into Polypharmacy Reduction,” Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 2012, Article ID 585170, 7 pages, 2012.