Flax Seed oil by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefit of Flax Seed Oil supplement

Flaxseed was commonly used in cereals and breads in the Middle Ages, but has not been a staple in the modern diet since the industrial age. Flax seed is rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which may affect levels of hormones and have beneficial physiological effects. I consider flaxseed to be a wonderful health food.

Organic Flaxseed Oil, 1000 mg

Organic Flaxseed Oil 1000mg
Flaxseed oil supplement facts:
1 softgel contains:
Calories 10
Total fat 1g
Polyunsaturated fat 0.5g
Organic flaxseed 1000mg
Alpha-linolenic Acid (omega-3) - 450mg
Linoleic Acid (omega-6) - 110mg
Oleic Acid (omega-9) - 110mg
Other fatty acids 50mg and phytonutrients

Other ingredients: gelatin, glycerin, caramel color
Flaxseed Purity Potency Guaranteed.
High Lignan Content • Certified Organic with Natural gamma and alpha tocopherols
Cold Pressed Flaxseed
Good Source of beneficial Omega-3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids
Click here to purchase Flax seed Oil, Diet Rx weight control formula, or to see a complete list of products at Physician Formulas
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Suggested Usage: 1 or 3 flaxseed oil capsules up to 3 times per day or as directed by a health professional.

High Lignan Flaxseed Oil is derived from certified organic flax. Grown in cool northern latitudes, Flaxseed oil contains superior amounts of vital Omega-3, 6 & ( fatty acids known to have numerous health benefits.  These fatty acids may help maintain healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Lignans are valuable phytoestrogens known to assist in maintaining normal estrogen levels.  Natural Factors High Lignan Flaxseed Oil if neither refined, deodorized nor bleached.  The oil is produced using an exclusive cold press process to yield a pure product that is free of solvents like alcohol, hexane and organic chlorines.  It is regularly tested for peroxide to guarantee the freshest product possible.
Flaxseed and Hormones
It appears that compounds in flaxseed influence levels of hormones in the body, such as estrogens and testosterone. The exact nature of this influence is still being evaluated.
   Mice fed plenty of flaxseed seem to be protected against the worst forms of prostate cancer, which suggests flaxseed contains some protective components. Flaxseed is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and compounds known as lignans, all of which may play a role in protecting against cancer and perhaps also heart disease.

Flax seed Benefit for the Brain
Doctors generally believe that the best way to treat mood, thought, and memory disorders is with pharmaceutical medicines that directly influence levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. Although drugs have very important clinical uses, they are only part of the solution. A comprehensive approach to treating cognitive disorders should include foods and supplements that benefit the overall health of brain cells. These include omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish.
   One way to influence brain health through diet is to consume the right fats and oils. About 60 percent of the brain consists of lipids (fats) which make up the lining, or cell membrane, of every brain cell. The types of fats present in the brain influence its structure and function. How well your mind works depends, in the long run, on what you eat.

Flax seed oil and blood pressure
It appears that taking a flax see oil supplement could be useful in those who have hypertension
Dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil lowers blood pressure in dyslipidaemic patients.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan 31; Paschos GK, Magkos F, Panagiotakos DB, Votteas V, Zampelas A. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Alpha-linolenic acid is the natural precursor of the cardioprotective long-chain n-3 fatty acids. Available data indicate a possible beneficial effect of alpha linolenic acid on cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the response of various CVD risk factors to increased alpha linolenic acid intake is not well characterized. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of increased alpha linolenic acid intake on blood pressure in man. We used a prospective, two-group, parallel-arm design to examine the effect of a 12-week dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil, rich in alpha linolenic acid (8 g/day), on blood pressure in middle-aged dyslipidaemic men. The diet of the control group was supplemented with safflower oil, containing the equivalent n-6 fatty acid (11 g/day linoleic acid). Supplementation with flax seed oil resulted in significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels compared with linoleic acid.

Flaxseed reduces inflammation
Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid.
Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, Barbeiro DF, Soriano FG, Ishida RK, Cecconello I.
Obes Surg. 2007 Mar;17(3):341-7. Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas and LIM 51, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Morbidly obese patients frequently display asymptomatic chronic activation of acute phase response, with potentially adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences. Aiming to investigate the supplementation of flaxseed flour, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, a prospective randomized double-blind cross-over study was designed. Outpatient obese subjects were given flaxseed flour (Farinha de Linhaca Dourada LinoLive, Cisbra, Brazil) in the amount of 30 g/day (5 g of alpha-linolenic acid - omega-3) and an equal mass of placebo (manioc flour) were administered for 2 weeks each. Variables included general biochemical investigation, white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and fibronectin. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Various inflammatory markers were elevated in the studied population, although not necessarily exceeding the normal range; 2) Significant reduction could be demonstrated; 3) Some persistent effects of flaxseed supplement 2 weeks after discontinuation were observed.

Flaxseed and hot flash symptoms
Pilot evaluation of flaxseed for the management of hot flashes.
J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007 Summer;5(3):106-12. Pruthi S, Thompson SL, Novotny PJ, Barton DL, Kottschade LA, Tan AD, Sloan JA, Loprinzi CL.
The objective of this study was to evaluate, in a phase 2 pilot study, tolerability and the effect of 6 weeks of flaxseed therapy on hot flash scores in women not wishing to receive estrogen therapy. To be included in the study, women had to have at least 14 hot flashes per week. The women were asked to add 40 grams of crushed flaxseed  daily to their diet. There was a fifty percent reduction in hot flash symptoms in the women who added flaxseed to their diet. However, half of the women had side effects which included to mild or moderate abdominal distention. Three out of tem experienced mild diarrhea, one experienced excess gas.

Fish oil versus Flaxseed oil
 Q. What is your opinion on fish oil supplements, and why not just take flaxseed oil since it has omega 3s? How much is needed to take daily?
   A. There are several Omega 3 fatty acids. They are named ALA (alpha linolenic acid ), EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). ALA is found in flaxseed oil whereas EPA and DHA are found in fish oils. ALA is able to convert into EPA and then into DHA, but this takes several enzymatic steps in the body, and not everyone efficiently converts ALA into EPA and DHA, particularly with aging. So, the bottom line, I prefer fish oils to flaxseed oil, although a small amount of flaxseed oil is also good to take. For those of you who don't want to take any fish products, DHA, extracted from algae, is sold by itself.

Flax seed oil side effects
Unless taken in large amounts, flax seed oil has few side effects. Nevertheless, it's best not to overuse flax seed oil.

Flaxseed and prostate cancer
June 2, 2007 - At the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, researchers discussed a study: of about half the 161 prostate-cancer patients were asked to eat three rounded tablespoons of flaxseed per day for a few weeks. They then underwent surgery to have their tumors removed. On post-surgical examination, their cancer cells were dividing less rapidly, perhaps because they had less access to active forms of testosterone. Scientists don't know if healthy people who eat a lot of flaxseed would have a lower risk for prostate cancer.

Flaxseed Research Update
 Biological activity of flaxseed oil as the source of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid]
Biomed Khim. 2004 Jan-Feb;50(1):25-43.
Flaxseed oil is an abundant plant source of omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid omega-3. This review focuses on the biological effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) compared with long-chain omega-3 derivatives. ALA is not equivalent in its biological effects to the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in marine fish oils. However, ALA is metabolized to eicosapentaenoic acid, which may replace arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipides. Ingestion of flaxseed oil may alter the generation of eicosanoids, procoagulant activity and other membrane-dependent responses and exert antiallergic, antiatherosclerotic, antiarrhythmic effects. Beneficial effects of flaxseed oil have been shown in prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.

Flaxseed and cardiovascular risk.
Nutr Rev. 2004 Jan;62(1):18-27.
Flaxseed has recently gained attention in the area of cardiovascular disease primarily because it is the richest known source of both alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the phytoestrogen, lignans, as well as being a good source of soluble fiber. Human studies have shown that flaxseed can modestly reduce serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, reduce postprandial glucose absorption, decrease some markers of inflammation, and raise serum levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid. Data on the antiplatelet, antioxidant, and hypotensive effects of flaxseed, however, are inconclusive. More research is needed to define the role of this functional food in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Flaxseed may slow growth of prostate tumors. Including flaxseed as part of a low-fat diet may slow the growth of tumors in men with prostate cancer. According to a study published in the journal Urology, 25 men with prostate cancer supplemented with 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily for an average of one month had a greater rate of prostate tumor cell death than men who did not follow this diet.
    Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, excluding skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2001.
    Flaxseed contains a fiber-like compound, lignan, which is thought to bind to testosterone and possibly help remove it from the body. This could, in turn, help suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. Testosterone stimulates prostate cancer growth. Several conventional therapies block androgens such as testosterone as a way to control the spread of cancer.
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.
Phytoestrogens, which are abundant in flaxseed and soy, have chemical structures resembling those of endogenous estrogens and have been shown to exert hormonal effects, thereby affecting chronic diseases. We compared the effects of consuming equal amounts of flaxseed or soy on estrogen metabolism and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: In a parallel design, the diet of postmenopausal women (n = 46) was supplemented with either a placebo, soy (25 g soy flour), or flaxseed (25 g ground flaxseed) muffin for 16 wk. Blood and 24-h urine samples were collected at baseline and at the endpoint. Urine samples were analyzed for phytoestrogens, estrogen metabolites (2-hydroxyestrone, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone), and serum hormones (estradiol, estrone, estrone sulfate). Serum and urine samples were also analyzed for biochemical markers of bone metabolism. Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyestrone, but not of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, increased significantly in the flaxseed group. In the flaxseed group, the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone was positively correlated with urinary lignan excretion. In the soy and placebo groups, no significant correlation was observed. No significant change in serum hormones or biochemical markers of bone metabolism was observed within or between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with flaxseed modifies urinary estrogen metabolite excretion to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy. This modification by flaxseed is associated with an increase in urinary lignan excretion. Despite the shift in estrogen metabolism to favor the less biologically active estrogens, a negative effect on bone cell metabolism was not observed.

A Cancer Inhibitor With a Little Crunch By Ray Sahelian, M.D. - article written in Sept 2007 for Early to Rise
I am a big fan of flaxseeds. I really enjoy the crunchy taste. Flaxseeds - which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans (a fiber found in the seed coat) - are helpful for colon health, similar in some ways to psyllium. And new research indicates that they can prevent the spread of some types of cancer. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina took a look at the seed's role as a food supplement in 161 men who were scheduled to undergo surgery for prostate cancer. Half of the men added 30 grams of flaxseed (about one ounce) to their diets for about 30 days. After the surgery, the researchers looked at the men's tumor cells to see how quickly the cancer had multiplied. The cancer cells in the flaxseed group were growing about 30 to 40 percent slower than in the control group. If you want to get the health benefits of flaxseeds, you can add half a teaspoon or a teaspoon of raw flaxseeds to soups and salads. Or you can take a flaxseed oil supplement in the form of one or two softgels a day. You can find flaxseeds and flaxseed oil in health food stores or online.

Q. Dr. Sahelian recommends " 1/2 or 1 tsp of raw flaxseeds added to soup or salads." ..but, directly above that paragraph, he cites a Duke University Medical Center study which used 30 grams of flaxseeds ("about one ounce"). One ounce of flaxseeds is about 3 teaspoons, yet he only recommends 1 teaspoon maximum. That's 67% less than the study he cited! Why, then, would he even mention that study? Or, why would he recommend so much less? Even worse, he recommends raw flaxseeds. Have you ever tried raw flaxseeds? If so, please let me know how your stomach and intestines enjoyed them. I subscribe to 9 different health newsletters and every one recommends you first grind up the seeds in a coffee grinder or the like. Also, most of them recommend anywhere from 4-6 teaspoons upto 6 tablespoons daily. I've been grinding flaxseeds for over 15 years. I use 6-7 teaspoons daily with a weight of 200 lbs, and I'll match colonoscopies with these characters any day.
   A. Several interesting issues are raised by this question that can be addressed. `1. When researchers do a study, they are limited in time and funding and tend to use a high dosage of an herb or medicine to elicit a change in the body that can be measured statistically within a short period of time. However, this does not mean that in real life people should be taking the exact dosage used by the researchers and take this high amount for life. Sometimes untoward side effects can occur when people use these high dosages. For instance, in one study researchers used 900 mg of alpha lipoic acid for a month to determine blood sugar changes in diabetics, yet, in real life, and I have seen this with my patients, dosages more than 200 mg cause heart rhythm problems within a few weeks of use. Therefore, 30 grams of flaxseeds used for one month may not necessarily mean that this is the ideal dosage to take for life.
   2. Many people tend to overuse one type of food when they come across research touting its benefits, in this case flaxseeds. However, there are many herbs and foods that have beneficial effects. There are many other seeds besides flaxseeds that are beneficial for prostate health, for instance pumpkin seeds. Other beneficial seeds include chia seeds. Another great source of fiber is psyllium. There are many other vegetables and high lignan containing grains that are also helpful for the prostate gland. Hence, it is a good idea to have a variety of these foods as opposed to too much of just one. When too much of one type of food is ingested at the expense of others, people may end up not getting the variety of phytonutrients that provides ideal health.
   3. As to raw flaxseeds or grinding flaxseeds, there is no right or wrong answer. Some people prefer raw, others grind them, and others cook with them. It's up to each person to ingest them as they wish. In a short article that the format allows, it is not possible to go into details on the ways flaxseeds can be ingested. Raw flaxseeds do offer the best benefits and adding them to soups is a great way to ingest them. Many people also enjoy the crunchy texture.
   Bottom line: Nutritional research is still in its infancy and there are many different opinions on these issues and it helps to keep an open mind and not to be too rigid on what it right or not right. Plus, each of us has a completely different biochemistry and unique food preferences. What works for one person may not work for another.

Flaxseed emails
Q. How do I take my flax seeds? I've been told to grind them but I don't have a pestle and mortar or anything else to use, so how else can I prepare them? Are they of any benefit taken raw? (They don't taste so good in this manner).
   A. Adding flaxseeds to soups is a good option. The flaxseeds absorb the water and they become crunchy and fun to bite.

Q. I am under the impression that flax seed oil, containing "good fat", won't contribute to increasing bodyfat stores? Is this true? And does flax oil work like CLA / tonalin to increase muscle and lose bodyfat?
   A. As far as we know, the ingestion of any oil, including flaxseed oil, increases caloric intake and will not contribute to weight loss. We are not very impressed with CLA supplements as a means to weight loss.

Q. I am unable to take fish oils, will Flax Seed oil substitute for the fish oils?
   A. Fatty acids in flax seed oil, such as alpha linolenic acid, can be converted into the fatty acids in fish oils, such as epa and dha, but only in small amounts since the conversion is not always efficient. If you can't take fish oils, flax seed oil is a good, but not ideal, alternative. Flax also contains many other types of non-omega-3 fatty acids.

Q. I would like to know if it's safe to take flax seed and birth control pills. Does it affect the estrogen?
   A. I can't see how flax seed oil in moderate doses should  have a major effect on estrogen levels or birth control pills, but it is possible thatf large dosages, such as two tablespoons or more, may have an effect.

Q. I have been taking flaxseed oil as per your recommendation in your book Mind Boosters.  I like it better than fish oils because one, I don't get those annoying fish burps, and two I notice a slight mood elevation. 
   A. Yes, some people notice a mood elevation taking flax seed oil.

Q. Love your site. I discovered Flaxseed oil for me is like regular "meds" are for people with mood swings. No doubt about it. I've been off and on too many times and am now 100% convinced that flaxseed oil is indispensable for leveling the mood especially under stress.

Q. Which is better, flax seed oil or chia seeds?
   A. They are both healthy additions to one's diet. Chia seeds provide a source of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid.