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Introduction
Published in Robert Fried, Richard M. Carlton, Flaxseed, 2023
Robert Fried, Richard M. Carlton
Nevertheless, flax still has many uses: it is cultivated for its seeds, which can be ground into meal or turned into flaxseed oil, a nutrition supplement. Flaxseed oil as linseed oil is an ingredient in many wood-finishing products. But flax fibers are still used to make linen, especially fine Belgian flax linen.
COVID-19
Published in Stephen T. Sinatra, Mark C. Houston, Nutritional and Integrative Strategies in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2022
Fruits and vegetables contain a wealth of phytochemicals like carotenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanidins. Bitter greens are also of great value in counteracting COVID-19. Bitter greens such as dandelion and arugula fortify the liver and enhance natural killer and T-cell production.44 The inclusion of whole grains and legumes in the diet provides fiber, and prebiotics along with B vitamins and zinc promote gut health and interaction of the GALT with the complete immune system. Flax seed is a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s, but fish oil is a better source, as plant-based omega-3s are predominantly in the form of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which must be converted to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to have an effect.45 Less than 1% is converted to EPA and DHA indicating that fish-sourced omega-3s are the only effective form. One complication of COVID-19 is coagulation defects including microthrombi. Natural products, besides omega-3s which are evidence-based blood thinners, include turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic. Other supplements and treatments which have shown benefit include high-dose vitamin C, vitamin K2, magnesium, and hydrotherapy including saunas and whirlpool baths. Finally, spirulina has been shown using in vitro studies to have antiviral activity and also positive immune modulation.46
Formulated Natural Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators: A Key To Restoring Women’s Health
Published in Megh R. Goyal, Durgesh Nandini Chauhan, Plant- and Marine-Based Phytochemicals for Human Health, 2018
A. Anita Margret, S. Aishwarya, J. Theboral
Flaxseed is the seed from L. usitatissimum commonly called flax of the family Linnaceae. It is a versatile blue flowered crop that is believed to be native to West Asia and the Mediterranean (Fig. 11.6). Flax originated in India and diffused over the globe for its usefulness and hardness.21 Flax has been grown since the beginnings of civilization and people all over the world have celebrated its usefulness throughout the ages. Flax has varied uses from its oil seed to fibers, rope and textile industries to livestock feed, and health benefits to cosmetics and ornaments. In modern research, flax continues to surge forward in its recognition as a functional food.66
Flaxseed lignans alleviates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by regulating myocardial remodeling and oxidative stress
Published in Ultrastructural Pathology, 2023
Sanaa H. Elsayed, Nagui H. Fares, Samar H. Elsharkawy, Yomna I. Mahmoud
Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is the seed from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), which is a member of the Linaceae family. It is cultivated in many parts of the world for fiber and oil and was valued in Ancient and Early Modern times as both a food and medicine.5 Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, lignans, and fibers.6 Lignans are low molecular weight polyphenols present in high concentrations in flaxseeds.7 Flaxseed lignans show significant protective effect in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, due to its anti-inflammatory,6,8 antioxidant,9,10 anti-fibrotic,11 antihypertensive,12 and anti-atherosclerotic13 activities. Accordingly, this study investigates the therapeutic effect of flaxseed lignans against cardiac hypertrophy.
Reduced phasic dopamine release and slowed dopamine uptake occur in the nucleus accumbens after a diet high in saturated but not unsaturated fat
Published in Nutritional Neuroscience, 2022
Cherie N. Barnes, Conner W. Wallace, Brielle S. Jacobowitz, Steve C. Fordahl
Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME), housed three per cage, and maintained on a 12 h light/dark cycle with free access to water and either a control normal fat diet (Control; 10% kcals from fat; D12450J, Research Diets, n = 6) or one of three nutrient matched experimental diets containing 60% kcals from fat: either high in saturated fat (SF; D12492, Research Diets, n = 9), saturated fat combined with flaxseed oil (Blend; 1:1 ratio of saturated fats to n3 polyunsaturated fats, Research Diets, n = 6) or high in unsaturated fat from flaxseed oil (Flax; 3:7 ratio of saturated fats to n3 polyunsaturated fats, n = 6). Custom flax diets were micronutrient matched to the high-fat and control diets, and calorically matched to the high saturated-fat diet. Food intake was measured on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by weighing the amount of diet consumed and calculating caloric intake based on food disappearance. Body weights were collected upon arrival and weekly thereafter. Mice remained on respective diets for 6-weeks prior to experimental tests. All experiments were approved by the UNC Greensboro Animal Care and Use Committee and conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Balance of saccharolysis and proteolysis underpins improvements in stool quality induced by adding a fiber bundle containing bound polyphenols to either hydrolyzed meat or grain-rich foods
Published in Gut Microbes, 2019
Matthew I. Jackson, Dennis E. Jewell
The fiber bundle contains plant-derived secondary metabolites (ie, bioactive molecules) with anti-inflammatory properties. For example, pecan fiber demonstrates antioxidant action in both chemical and cellular models of oxidative stress.45 The citrus powder used in this formulation contained approximately 2% flavonoids (primarily hesperidin) by independent analysis (data not shown). The flavonoids, phenolics, and flax lignans present in the sources of fiber of this fiber bundle have beneficial effects in gastrointestinal health maintenance and in ameliorating gastrointestinal disease. Most of the ingredients in the fiber bundle contain fiber-bound bioactives that are inaccessible to canine digestion in the upper intestinal tract, but that can be liberated by the hindgut microbiota. Once separated from the fibrous matrix, these bioactive molecules then become substrates for the diverse catabolic capacity of the microbiome. Consistent with this idea, the flax-derived lignan secoisolarisiresinol diglucoside was significantly higher in feces from dogs fed either food with added fiber as were some of its microbial products. However, one lignan product of secoisolariciresinol, enterolactone, was not enriched in fiber-fed dogs. Thus, the canine microbiome may metabolically support the production of some lignan products but not others.