Flaxseed Purity Potency Guaranteed.
High Lignan Content • Certified Organic
with Natural gamma & alpha tocopherols
Cold Pressed Flaxseed
Good Source of Beneficial Omega-3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids
Flax Seed supplement
Flax seed 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. It is rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which may affect levels of hormones that are involved in the progression of cancer. We consider flax seed to be a good mind booster.
Flaxseed Oil, 1000 mg, 360
Softgels - Natural Factors
Flaxseed Purity Potency Guaranteed.
High Lignan Content • Certified Organic
with Natural gamma & alpha tocopherols
Cold Pressed Flaxseed
Good Source of Beneficial Omega-3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids
Flaxseed-Oil supplement can be purchased here.
High Lignan Flaxseed Oil is derived from certified
organic Canadian 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.
Benefit of flax
Interest in the nutritional benefits of flax is increasingh. New flax food
products provide a valuable preventative, healthy food choice. Flax is high in:
alpha linolenic (Omega-3) fatty acid, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber,
phytoestrogenic lignans, quality plant protein, antioxidants, vitamins and
minerals; and is great tasting, easily incorporated into a variety of
foods
Flaxseeds reduce
inflammation
Obese individuals who are given
flaxseed have
reduced levels of inflammation in their body.
Flax seed and 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 flax seed 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 and Hormones
It appears that compounds in flax seed influence levels of hormones, such
as estrogens and testosterone, in the
body. The exact nature of this influence is still being evaluated.
Mice fed plenty of flax seed seem to be protected against the worst forms
of prostate cancer, which suggests flaxseed contains some protective components. Flax seed
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.
Flaxseed and hot flashes, menopause
The objective of this 2007 study
was to evaluate the 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 and to not be using estrogen or any hormones. Dr. Sandhya
Pruthi, director of the Mayo Breast Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minnesota, asked women to add 40 grams of crushed flaxseed
daily to their diet. Most of the women added the flaxseed on yogurt or
cereal or mixed it with orange juice or water. After six weeks, here 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 ten
experienced mild diarrhea, one experienced excess gas. Dr. Sandhya Pruthi
is now planning a larger study.
Flaxseed
and prostate gland research
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.
Fish oil or
Flaxseed oil
Which is better, flax seed oil or fish oil? Why not just take
flaxseed oil since
it has omega 3s?
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. As we age, the enzymes necessary to convert ALA to EPA and DHA may
not work as well. So, the bottom line, we 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 versus chia seeds
Q. Have you done a comparison between chia seeds
and flaxseeds? I have just heard of the chia seed. I am a long time user
of fresh ground flax seed, but if chia is easier to store, digest etc and
is more beneficial than flax seed maybe I should make the switch.
A. Is an orange healthier than a grapefruit? They are both a good
addition to the diet. One option is to use a little bit of both since each
seed will provide a different set of nutrients the body can use.
A Cancer Inhibitor With a Little
Crunch By Ray Sahelian, M.D. - reprinted with permission
I am a big fan of flaxseeds. I add them to soups and enjoy the crunchy
taste. Flaxseeds - which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, a fiber
found on the seed coat - are helpful for colon health, similar in some ways to
psyllium fiber. 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) daily 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 groups were growing
about 30 to 40 percent slower than 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 at one
or two softgels a day. You can find flaxseeds and flaxseed oil in health food
stores or online.
Flax seed questions
Q. Could you tell me what the equivalent of a 1,000 mg capsule of flax seed oil
would be in ground flax seed? How much ground flax seed would I need to take
to gain the good omega 3's and 6's in one 1,000 mg capsule of flax seed oil?
A. Flax seed oil is available in a capsule form, which often
contains 500 milligrams alpha-linolenic acid per 1000-milligram flax seed oil
capsule (10 calories). Flax seeds have lignans and fiber which offer potential
health benefits not found in the flax seed oil itself. Therefore, one cannot
fairly compare the equivalency of flax seed oil to flax seeds. We're not sure
how many milligrams of alpha-linolenic acid is found per gram of flax seeds. As
a rule, we prefer the ingestion of flax seeds as opposed to flax seed oil due to
many other benefits the seeds provide. To ingest beneficial omega-3 oils, we
prefer the use of fish oil or krill oil.
Q. I
was told by a friend of mine that flax seed is beneficial in the aid of building
up density in the bones, is that true? I have severe osteoporosis at 53 and I
can't afford the injections that my doctor recommended. However, if this is
true, flax seed could at least help me gain some of it back? Any advice would be
most appreciated! I really don't like taking medications unless it is absolutley
necessary and prefer herbal choices instead.
A. The influence of flax seed on osteoporosis or bone building is
mild compared to other steps that can be taken to build bones.
Q. Can taking flax seed oil capsule improve
dry skin?
A. We are not sure.
Q. I find
your website very informative and fascinating. I'm an avid weight lifter and
tennis player and am always interested in trying new supplements, provided they
are natural. I'm currently taking flax seed oil and have read conflicting views
as to whether it enhances testosterone activities in the body or estrogen
activities. Since I am a male and would like to avoid increasing estrogen
levels, I wanted to know your view on this. What is the richest source of Omega
3 fatty acids, Fish oil, Cod liver oil, or Flax Seed Oil?
A. Flax seed has phytoestrogens that bind to estrogen receptors. We
have not seen long term studies regarding the influence of flaxseed or flaxseed
oil on testosterone levels or estrogen levels. But, rather than focusing on
hormone levels, it a better approach would be to evaluate the role of flaxseed
oil on the whole body, not just a couple of hormones. Our favorite oil is fish
oil since the American diet is low in the important fatty acids EPA and DHA.
However, it is a good idea to diversify rather than take too much of one thing.
Q. Q. I read your information on flaxseed and
wanted to let you know our experience with it. Until recently my husband
and I took flaxseed and freshly ground it to make 2 tablespoons (maximum
sometimes less) and mixed it in orange juice every morning. We did this
for over 7 years. The only time we did not do this was if our diet was so
high in fiber that we could not tolerate the extra fiber of the flaxseeds.
We stopped this when my husband began to get a burning feeling every time
he'd eat the flaxseeds. We tried reducing the intake, skipping days but
all of it caused a burning. Then we went to flaxseed oil. Same problem. A
burning. At this point we quit the flaxseed daily intake. I continued for
a short while but decided to not take a risk with my health either. We
took it for a long time. We also ate fairly healthy during this time. The
flaxseed was to get the Omega 3 that wasn't in our diet over the previous
40 years or so. In fact very little red meat was eaten and we had a diet
high in fruits and vegetables. Then this September after 10 months of pain
and problems for my husband, he was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer.
Based on his diet (very much what is recommended for cancer patients) and
his family history--no cancer of any kind--this was the last thing we ever
thought we would hear about my husband. I do not know the role that the
flaxseed played but I do know that when we stopped it we both felt better.
Based on our experience I would not recommend the daily intake of flaxseed
to anyone. I would recommend much smaller amounts and skipping days at a
time, paying attention to what is going on in your body each day.
A. Thanks for the feedback. It is impossible to say in the case of
your husband whether the flaxseed had anything to do with the rectal
cancer. It may have had nothing to do with it. We wish him an optimal
outcome.
Q. Can flaxseed be taken with
blood pressure medicine?
A. We don't see any reason why flaxseed would interfere with
medications.
Q. I would be grateful for
information regarding the side effects of taking ground fresh flax seeds. I have
been told that the seeds must not be feed to horses unless boiled as it can kill
them. So is it save for humans?
A. Flaxseeds are very safe for human consumption as long as they
are not used in excess and are part, along with a balance of other foods, of a
normal diet.
Q. Is it okay to take a teaspoon
of flaxseed oil with a Bioperine
supplement?
What about with the occasional use of tongkat
ali herb?
A. We don't see any untoward combination results.
Q. Recently I bought a bottle of Flaxseed oil in the liquid
form for the first time. However when I smell and taste it, I swear it's just
like ordinary old cod liver oil; I'm sure it even smells fishy like it. Is this
supposed to be or have I been duped??
A. Flaxseed oil does have a smell such as this most likely due to
omega 3 fatty acids.
Q. Is flax oil safe to
use with a hypothyroid state with Hashimotos? I have read in a few places that
flax is goitergenic. But would flax oil have the same effect? Is 1300 mg
considered a safe dose, or too high? The ALA amount is 780 mg. I've been getting
a lot of heart palpitations before using the flax oil, and sometimes heart
pounding, and racing heart. My TSH is just under 5. We have been working at very
slowly increasing my medication, because of the heart side effects I get when we
increase the dose.
A. Flax seed oil is a safe supplement and we have not heard of any
side effects when it is used in reasonable amounts.
Q. How many units of Vitamin E should one take when
consuming 10 mls of Flaxseed oil to prevent it oxidising in the body?
A. Each person has a different diet and some people may consume a
diet that has plenty of vitamin E and additional amounts would not be necessary.
It is not easy to know precisely how many units of vitamin E would be necessary
when ingesting flaxseed oil but rather than focusing on this, just taking a
multivitamin supplement a few times a week that has 20 to 100 units of natural
vitamin E complex should offer plenty of insurance.
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, we prefer fish oils to flaxseed oil, although a
small amount of flaxseed oil is also good to take.
Q. Dr. Sahelian's
article on flax seed states that "unless taken in large amounts, flax seed oil
has few side effects. Nevertheless, it's best not to overuse flax seed oil." Do
you have any research or information as to how much daily intake of flax seed
oil can be harmful, especially with regard to a potential increase in one's risk
for developing prostate cancer?
A. Flax seed has potential in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
Research with flax seed oil in humans is limited and thus no easy answers are
available. But, common sense dictates that one should not overdo on any
particular food or supplement, and as long as reasonable amounts are ingested,
there should not be a major concern.
Q. I am unable to take fish oils, will Flaxseed oil substitute for the fish oils?
A. Fatty acids in flaxseed 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 flaxseed and
birth control pills.
Does it affect the estrogen?
A. I can't see how flaxseed oil in moderate doses should
have a major effect on estrogen levels or birth control pills, but it is
possible that 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 flaxseed
oil.
Q. My wife has recently developed
elevated blood pressure. It has been measured at 154/99 and 20 minutes later
after relaxation will dip to 120/80. I suggested she take Flaxseed oil
supplements 1000mg / day. Are there any side effects known after taking flaxssed
oil?
A. We are not aware of any major side effects with flaxseed oil
when used in a reasonable amount.
Q. I put flaxseed in meatloaf or as a topping to lowfat yogart and a
salad now and then. Really good! I take a multi-vitamin for people over 50 along
with natural vitamin E supplement and calcium twice a day. Also, eat fish once a
week, turkey breast, beef once a week, chicken skinless, and I try to stay away
from refined sugar foods. I just started taking pure certified extra virgin
coconut oil. Two questions: my bad cholesterol is borderline. Everything else is
excellent. (1) Would taking garlique supplement contribute to lowering the
bad cholesterol? I also exercise and try to eat a well balanced meal. My CRP
(c-reactive protein) is 0.62. (2) Am I going overboard with the health benefits
of coconut oil and garlique along with the above supplements? My age is 60. So
much is out there and it can get very confusing.
A. We can't give individual advice, but you can take a look at the
cholesterol page for suggestions to discuss with your doctor.
Why does flax seed oil in liquid
form has a high fat content, whereas a flax seed oil in capsule form has no fat
content?
Capsules should be no different than the liquid.