2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Really Flaxseed is the new miracle food? Preliminary studies show that flaxseed can help in the fight against everything from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to breast cancer.
Some call it one of the strongest plant foods on our planet. There is evidence to suggest that it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. This is quite a difficult task for some small seeds that have been grown for centuries - flaxseed.
Although flaxseed contains all kinds of useful ingredients, it owes its healthy reputation mainly to three of them:
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have many health effects. Each tablespoon of flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3 fatty acids.
• Lignans, which are known as plant estrogen and have antioxidant properties. Flaxseed contains 75-80 times more lignans than other plant foods.
• Fiber. Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Recent studies suggest that flaxseed may have a protective effect against cancer, especially breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. In animal studies, plant omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed, called ALA, inhibited tumor frequency and growth.
In addition, the lignans in flaxseed can provide some protection against cancers that are sensitive to sex hormones. Some studies show that exposure to lignans during adolescence helps reduce the risk of breast cancer and may also increase the survival of breast cancer patients.
Lignans can protect us from cancer by:
• Blocking the enzymes involved in hormone metabolism;
• Inhibits the growth and spread of tumor cells.
Some of the other components in flaxseed also have antioxidant properties that can help protect against cancer and heart disease.
Studies show that products containing plant omega-3 fatty acids help the cardiovascular system through several different mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory action and normalization of heart rhythm.
A number of studies have shown that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, also found in flaxseed, help prevent hardening of the arteries. The lignans in flaxseed have been shown to reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation by up to 75%.
Because plant omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role in maintaining the natural heart rhythm, they may be helpful in treating arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and heart failure.
Eating flaxseed can help with cholesterol levels. Small particles of LDL or "bad" cholesterol in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Diabetes
Preliminary studies also show that daily intake of lignans in flaxseed can improve blood sugar levels.
Inflammation
Two components in flaxseed, ALA and lignans, can reduce the inflammation that accompanies certain diseases (such as Parkinson's disease and asthma) by helping to block the release of certain pro-inflammatory agents.
Hot flashes
A study of menopausal women, published in 2007, reported that 2 tablespoons flaxseed, mixed with cereals, juice or yogurt twice a day reduces hot flashes in women.
Although health benefits of flaxseed are indisputable, there are some disadvantages:
• One of the common annoying side effects of flaxseed is diarrheal stools, which can sometimes lead to diarrhea. This side effect is often associated with slightly higher doses;
• Some of its users may develop serious allergic reactions with symptoms such as rash, urticaria, itching, swelling, breathing problems, wheezing, etc.;
• Side effects include problems with blood clotting, as this may adversely affect blood clotting;
• Although alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is healthy, in some cases it is not converted to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is absorbed by the body. This is most commonly seen in people with diseases such as diabetes;
• Flaxseed oil can also reduce the body's ability to absorb nutrients;
• Flaxseed oil has a short shelf life (due to oxidation) after being exposed to light or air
• Flaxseed oil contains phytoestrogens, which can act as an original hormone (estrogen) in the body. So it should not be used by pregnant and lactating women and those with hormonal imbalance.
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