Flax Seed

(NaturalNews) The health benefits of flaxseeds are attributed to three classes of nutrients.



* Flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. The essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) makes up more than 50% of this mix.



* Flaxseeds are by far the major source of a class of phytoestrogens called lignans. The major component, a lignan called secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), is the main precursor of enterodiol and enterolactone, the active phytoestrogens in humans.



* Flaxseeds are an excellent source of soluble fiber (mucilage, gum).



The lipid-lowering effect of flaxseeds has to be due to the lignans and/or fiber, since defatted (ALA-free) flaxseeds have the same cholesterol-lowering effect as whole flaxseeds (1). It wasn't clear though which of the two components is responsible; there were no human studies of the effect of lignans on lipid levels.



The fiber in flaxseed may be responsible for the improvement in glycemic control by delaying postprandial glucose absorption. However, it was suspected that lignans also play a role. First, lignans may act as antioxidants. Secondly, it is known from cell culture studies that the main flaxseed lignan, SDG, can suppress the gene expression of a key enzyme in hepatic gluconeogenesis (glucose synthesis in the liver) (2). Again, there were no human trials to test this hypothesis.



by: Helmut Beierbeck, citizen journalist





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