Flaxseed - Miraculous Anti-ageing Divine
Food
(Published in Dr India April, 2013)
Dr. O.P.Verma
M.B.B.S.,M.R.S.H.(London)
President, Flax Awareness Society
7-B-43, Mahaveer Nagar III, Kota (Raj.)
Visit us at at http://flaxindia.blogspot.com
E-mail – dropvermaji@gmail.com
+919460816360
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What is Flaxseed and how can it benefit
me? I was faced with this question when I started hearing about Flaxseed not
long ago. It became a ‘buzz word’ in society and seems to be making great
role in increased health for many. I wanted to join that wagon of wellness
and so I researched until I felt satisfied that it could help me, too. Here
are my findings.
Flaxseeds are slightly larger than sesame
seeds and have a hard shell that is smooth and shiny. Their color ranges from
deep amber to reddish brown depending upon whether the flax is of the golden
or brown variety. Botanical name of flaxseeds is Linum usitatissimum, the
flax plant, which has been widely used for thousands of years as a source of
food, clothing and decorating houses (paints, varnish, linoleum flooring
etc.). Usitatissimum means useful seeds. The crushed seed makes a very useful
poultice in the treatment of ulceration, abscesses, deep-seated inflammations
and even skin cancers.
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Nutritional value per 100 g. RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance
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Flaxseeds have become very popular
recently, because they are a richest source of the Omega 3 essential fatty
acid; known as Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), lignans and fiber. People in the new
millennium may see flaxseed as an important new food super star.
Flaxseed also increase oxygen consumption
at the cellular level resulting in increased energy and stamina, and feeling of
well-being. In fact, there’s nobody who won’t benefit by adding flaxseed to his
or her diet. Even Gandhi wrote in his book: “Wherever flaxseed becomes a
regular food item among the people, there will be better health.” In the 8th
century, French king Charle magne even passed a law requiring his people to
use flax seed so that they would be healthier.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid – Anti-entropy Factor
The omega 3 fatty acids include the
essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) and longer chain
metabolites Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA
22:6 n-3) & Eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA 20:5 n-3). In Omega 3 acids, the first double bond is located on the third
carbon from the methyl end of the hydrocarbon chain. For omega 6 fatty acids,
it is located at the sixth carbon. Generally speaking there are two primary
benefits omega-3 fats have on our bodies include:
Cellular Membrane Components:
The outer membrane of human cells act as a
gateway allowing raw materials in, and processed materials requires a constant
turnover of PUFA’s to remain functional . Omega 3’s are an essential part of
this replenishment . A shortage of Omega 3 reduces the ability of cells to
efficiently perform their function,
leading to nutrient starvation and chronic inflammatory illnesses.
Production of Eicosanoids :
Omega
3 is also converted into another class of chemical called eicosanoids,
(a specific chemical/ hormone group which are essential to regular functioning
of healthy cell) the most critical of which are prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are important for the
regulation of inflammation, pain, swelling, blood pressure, heart function,
gastrointestinal function and secretion, kidney function and fluid balance,
blood clotting and platelet aggregation, allergic response, nerve transmission,
steroid production and hormone synthesis. If the omega-3 prostaglandins produced are either lacking or
unbalanced, leading to dysfunction of these vital bodily activities.
It turns out that both the omega-3 and
omega-6 pathway utilize the same enzymes, so both have to compete for these
enzymes. The N-6 Dihommogamma-Linoleic
Acid (DGLA) can be converted to either the anti-inflammatory PG1 or into
arachidonic acid (AA). Conversion of DGLA into PG1 does not require any
enzymes, but conversion of DGLA into AA requires the enzyme delta-5 desaturase.
In diets high in omega-3, most of the delta-5 desaturase will be busy in the
omega-3 pathway; very few delta-5 desaturase will be available to convert DGLA
into arachidonic acid, and subsequently, Pro-inflammatory PG2. So DGLA ends up
being converted into the anti-inflammatory PG1.
Both groups of prostaglandins perform
vitally important functions and supplement each other through complex and
multi-faceted interactions. For centuries ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 was
perfect e.g. 2:1 or even 4:1 (very ideal ratio). But after the global switch to
industrial agriculture and processed foods it is 20:1, 40:1 or more (!!!). This throws the body into the state of
chronic inflammation, giving rise to a whole array of inflammation-related
chronic diseases, including thrombosis, arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis
and coronary heart disease, cancer and asthma.
There is only one crucial condition that
must be fulfilled if the entire system is to work well and promote health. This
condition is B A L A N C E. For the prostaglandin pathways to run
smoothly, the intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids must be well-balanced,
within the 1:1 to 4:1 range.
Lignans is Superman
Lignans are unique fiber-related
polyphenols that provide us with antioxidant benefits, fiber-like benefits, and
also act as phytestrogens. Among all commonly eaten foods, flaxseeds is the #1
source of lignans on earth. Flaxseeds contain about 7 times as many lignans as
the closest runner-up food (sesame seeds). They contain about 338 times as many
lignans as sunflower seeds, 475 times as many as cashew nuts, and 3,200 times
as many lignans as peanuts.
When flaxseeds are compared with other
commonly eaten foods in terms of their Antioxidant value flaxseeds rank 9th
among 100 commonly eaten foods, much higher than blueberries or olives. Lignan
has immunostimulatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-lupus and anti-viral
effects.
The most important lignan in flaxseed is
secoisolariciresinol diglycoside or simply SDG. When eaten SDG in flaxseed is
converted by bacteria in the colon to the mammalian lignans-Enterolactone and
Enterodiol.
While lignans have an estrogen-like action,
they are considerably weaker than our endogenous estrogen, and act as hormone
balancers. An important feature of these plant hormones is that they do
not stimulate reproductive tissue. In conditions which are linked with excess estrogen
(such as PMS, unhealthy breast tissue and breast cancer) lignans compete with a
woman’s own estrogen, having an estrogen lowering effect.
In conditions associated with declining estrogen
levels such as menopause, lignans have the opposite effect, increasing levels
of estrogen. This balancing action is due to their ability to competitively
lock onto our body’s estrogen receptor sites. Consequently, lignans
are used to reduce symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats,
mood swings and breast tenderness. Flaxseed has been found to substantially
increase milk production in women who are not producing enough milk to nurse
their infants. It is also beneficial in habitual abortion, sterility and often
clears up breast engorgement. Other condition where lignans may be helpful due
to their estrogenic effect includes bone health, prostate conditions, hair loss
and acne. According to Acatris, a 50 mg daily dose of SDG is sufficient to
deliver the health benefits associated with flax lignans.
The discovery of flaxseed as a lignan
storehouse came by just a chance says Kenneth Setchell, PhD, Children’s
Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati. In a study in 1978, he and his colleagues
unexpectedly found lignan levels in one patient several hundred times higher
than had ever been seen before. When asked the patient told that he baked his
own bread and always added flaxseed.
Dr. Danial Daves, Director of A.R.A.I
proposes that flax hull lignans be considered for the worldwide treatment of
AIDS/HIV. His research shows 97% success rate for AIDS sufferers who consume
1/2 tablespoon a day of flax hull lignans. The Flax Lignans supercharge the
depleted immune system and gives an AIDS sufferer a new life, new hope and a
future. He says Lignan is a superman.
Heart Healer
Atherosclerosis plaque consist only of
monocyte-derived immune cells
macrophages and T lymphocytes. Their presence in arterial walls provides
evidence that the atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Flaxseed inhibits
the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids, cytokines and
platelet-activating factor derived from arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty
acid) and thus reduces inflammatory responses. One way that Alpha Linolenic
Acid helps the heart is by decreasing the ability of platelets to clump
together, a reaction involved in the development of atherosclerosis (hardening
of the arteries), it acts as natural aspirin.
Flax seed helps to lower high blood
pressure, clears clogged coronaries like a sweeper, lowers high blood
cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raises good HDL
cholesterol. Intake of flaxseeds has also been shown to decrease the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol in several human
studies and to increase the level of apolipoprotein A1, which is the major
protein found in HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). Three
small clinical trials found that adding 38-50 g/d of flaxseed to the usual diet
for 4-6 weeks resulted in modest 8-14% decreases in LDL cholesterol levels.
Flaxseeds prevent clot formation in
arteries, which may result in strokes, heart attacks and thrombosis. Omega-3
Fatty acids present in Flaxseed appear to enhance the mechanical performance
and electrical stability of the heart and to protect against fatal arrhythmias.
Flaxseed - Diabetes Terminator
Flax for diabetes is a zero carb whole
grain food and helps stabilize blood sugar levels for longer. Let me explain
you the sweet maths. 14 Gm of Flaxseed
contains 2.56 gm, protein 5.9 gm fat, 0.97 gm
Moisture and 0.53 gm ash Total is 0.97+2.56+5.90+0.53=9.86 gm. The Remaining amount 14 – 9.86 =
4.04 is Carb, and by subtracting fiber
(3.8 gm) we get actual sugar value 4.04-3.8=0.24. 0.24, which is comparatively
negligible amount so practically Flax is called a ZERO carb food.
(Remember fiber belongs to carbs but is not absorbed in the intestines and does
not raise blood sugar level)
Omega 3 makes your brain feel satiated and
helps stop food cravings! Flax is an excellent source of fiber - helping you
feel fuller for longer. Flax lignans help heal the body lessening or
preventing complications from diabetes. Protein in flax helps the body get
nutrition that takes longer to digest and process helping provide more
nutrition for longer. Flaxseed is an easy thing to add as part of a balanced
diet and can make dramatic differences in your blood sugar as well as overall
health. In a University of Toronto study, flaxseed bread was shown to lower
blood sugar by 28% within an hour vs. those who ate otherwise similar
bread with no flax content.
Digestive System – Funda of Fiber
Flaxseed is rich in both soluble, insoluble
fiber and mucilage (the unique soluble fiber that is very soothing and
cleansing to the digestive tract). Flax fiber is an excellent food for friendly
bacteria in the intestine which keeps disease-causing organisms in check. Consumed
with plenty of pure water, flax seed softens the stool and makes bowel elimination
easier, a blessing to those with any level of constipation. The researcher
concluded that flaxseed relieved constipation more effectively than psyllium
husk. Taken for inflammatory bowel diseases like Irretable bowel syndrome,
diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis flaxseed can help to calm inflammation and
repair any intestinal tract damage. In addition, the Flaxseed may prevent
painful gallstones from developing and even dissolve existing stones. Finally,
flaxseed has been shown to reduce risk of colon cancer.
Rejuvenates Skin, hair and nail
The
essential fatty acids in flaxseed are largely responsible for its skin-healing
powers. Dry skin, acne, rosacea, eczema dandruff and psoriasis often respond to
the Flaxseed’s anti-inflammatory actions and overall skin-soothing properties. It
is a fountain of youth. You look years younger to your age. The abundant omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed
have been shown to contribute to strengthen and fortify hair. It prevents and
sometimes reverses premature graying of hair. Similarly, the Flaxseeds work to
nourish dry or brittle nails, stopping them from cracking or splitting.
Flaxseed oil makes skin very soft, fair, moist and attractive. Flaxseed has
anti-wrinkle effect. Flaxseed is internal and edible cosmetic. It is natural
manicure and pedicure. Help clear up and even help heal sunburns more quickly.
CNS – Flax is Sim Card of Mind
Think of your brain like the engine in your
car. It needs oil just like your car does. Omega 3 is that oil. It helps things
to run smoothly and efficiently. In the function of development of our brain,
Omega 3 is vital for memory and performance, and it is needed for the
transmission and reception of brain signals. In addition to the structural
benefits in the brain that Omega 3 adds, it aids in the communication between
brain cells.
The Flaxseed is a feel good food, keeps
your mind cool and you stay cheerful. Negative thoughts stay far away from you.
You don’t become angry. Your mood is always elated and positive. This is super anti depressant. Studies showed
that it improves hostility in early teens and criminal behavior in prisoners. Flaxseeds
are essential for the function and structure of the brain and improve
cognition, memory learning skill and concentration. Flaxseed is SIM CARD of
mind’s circuit (Mnemonic of flaxseed benefits on mind). Here SIM means Serene,
Imagination & Memory and CARD denotes Creativity & Concentration, Alertness,
Reading writing & thinking ability and divine. Flax has been scientifically
proven to treat depression, diabetic neuropathy, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis
and proven to improve the behavior of
Schizophrenics. Flaxseed can improve eyesight and perception of colors. Colors
look bolder and vivid. Life becomes simply more colorful.
Answer to Arthritis
The two most common forms of arthritis are
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage
within the joint begins to wear away and bone rubs on bone. Rheumatoid
arthritis is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks the
synovial lining of the joint, causing pain, rigidity and deformity. Flaxseeds
slowly heal these inflammatory joint diseases.
Prostate
The flaxseed may help to prevent swelling
and inflammation of the prostate. Symptoms of prostate enlargement, such as
urgency to urinate, may lessen within few weeks as a result. The EFAs also play
a role in keeping sperm healthy, which may be of value in treating male
infertility, and they can improve erectile dysfunction. Many patients reported
that it delayed their ejaculation times.
Obesity – Flax reshapes your body
Flaxseed help fight obesity. Adding
flaxseed to foods creates a feeling of satiation (feeling of fullness and
satisfaction following a meal). The essential fats in flaxseed cause the
stomach to retain food for a longer period of time as compared to no-fat or
low-fat foods. Furthermore, flaxseed stokes the metabolic processes in our
cells much like a furnace, once stoked, the cells generate more heat and burn
calories.
Dr. Budwig Cancer Protocol
Discussion about Flaxseed is never complete
without highlighting achievements of Dr. Johanna Budwig, top European cancer
research scientist. She proposed Flaxseed oil and cottage cheese diet for
prevention and treatment of cancer, arteriosclerosis, strokes, cardiac
infarction, enlarged prostate, arthritis and even immune deficiencies.
Thousands of cancer patients have been helped by her protocol with 90%
documented success rate. Testimonials can be found for almost every type of
cancers, even late stage. Dr. Budwig has assisted many seriously ill
individuals, even those given up as terminal by orthodox medical practitioners,
to regain their health through a simple regimen of nutrition. Dr. Budwig has
been nominated for a Nobel Prize 7 times, but was not given because of her
refusal to use radiation or chemotherapy. According to the US Department of
Agriculture, flaxseed contains 27 identifiable cancer preventative compounds.
Best of the Best for Body Building
The
fatty acids in flaxseed are the starting point, or the mortar and bricks for
manufacturing all other fatty acids and hormone precursors necessary
to support and build strong lean muscles, while prolonging stamina required for
endurance sports. Beyond providing essential nutrients flaxseed provides
valuable fuel required by today's high intensity athlete. Flaxseed increases
energy, vitality, stamina and shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after
exertion. It has 18% high class proteins.
Nowhere have the benefits of flaxseed oil
for athletic performance been more publicly demonstrated than in preparing
Hilary Swank for her as a boxer in Clint Eastwood’s film, Million Dollar
Baby. Grant Roberts (her Fitness Trainer) had the task of adding at least 10
pounds of lean muscle to her already lean physique in just nine weeks. In
addition to an intense training and lots of practice, he gave her eight or nine
tablespoons flaxseed oil daily. Surprisingly, Swank’s hard work added more than
20 pounds of muscle in that time.
According to Roberts, nutrition represents
60 percent to 70 percent of the effective input to building lean body mass. The
remaining 30 percent to 40 percent of positive results arise from a
judiciously-designed exercise program.
Flaxseed has received an overwhelming
response from the athletic and bodybuilding community. An article entitled
"Best of the Best", published in the bodybuilding and health
enthusiast magazine Muscle Media 2000, claims flaxseed as "the hottest
idea in bodybuilding" and "a surprising new category of bodybuilding
supplement." Mr. Dan Duchene in his column "Ask the Guru", also
writing for Muscle Media 2000, and ranked flaxseed as the number one
bodybuilding supplement compared to all other available products.
· Sprinkle ground flaxseeds onto your hot or
cold cereal.
· Add flaxseeds to your homemade chapatti,
cookie or bread recipe.
· To pump up the nutritional volume of your
breakfast shake, add ground flaxseeds.
· To give cooked vegetables a nuttier flavor,
sprinkle some ground flaxseeds on top of them.
· Add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to
smoothies.
· How much should be taken in a day - The
recommended daily dose for most people is approx. 30-50 gm.
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