Dietary Flaxseed as a Strategy for Improving Human Health.

Mihir Parikh, Thane G Maddaford, J Alejandro Austria, Michel Aliani, Thomas Netticadan, Grant N Pierce

Journal: Nutrients 2019;11(5):1171

PMID: 31130604

Plain Language Summary

Flaxseed is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, lignans and fibre. Four common forms of flaxseed include whole flaxseed, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, partially defatted flaxseed meal and flax “milk”. The aim of this review was to provide a broad summary of the highlights of the research that have supported the growth of flaxseed as a commodity with significance in the fields of health and medicine. Research shows that: - flaxseed supplementation reduced blood glucose in subjects with type 2 diabetes and lowered blood glucose in subjects with prediabetes. - flaxseeds are used extensively in animal studies to treat a variety of cancers namely breast cancer. - dietary flaxseed may also improve aspects of brain function during conditions of neural disease. - dietary flaxseed may also exhibit a protective effect against menopausal symptoms. - flaxseed supplementation in the diet may alter the bacterial flora in the intestines of animals. Authors conclude that supplementation of the diet with milled flaxseed has many healthy benefits to the body.

Abstract

Flaxseed is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and fiber. These compounds provide bioactivity of value to the health of animals and humans through their anti-inflammatory action, anti-oxidative capacity and lipid modulating properties. The characteristics of ingesting flaxseed or its bioactive components are discussed in this article. The benefits of administering flaxseed or the individual bioactive components on health and disease are also discussed in this review. Specifically, the current evidence on the benefits or limitations of dietary flaxseed in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastro-intestinal health and brain development and function, as well as hormonal status in menopausal women, are comprehensive topics for discussion.

Address: Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada. [email protected].; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, MB R6M 1Y5, Canada. [email protected].; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. [email protected].; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Albrechtsen Research Centre, St Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. [email protected].

DOI: 10.3390/nu11051171

Patient Centred Factor

Triggers: Flaxseed

Clinical Imbalances

Immune and inflammation

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Diet

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Pregnancy Osteoporosis Microbiome Atherosclerosis DHA EPA Type 2 diabetes Prediabetes Cardiovascular disease Phytoestrogens Blood glucose Docosahexaenoic acid Eicosapentaenoic acid Dietary cholesterol Lactation Hyperglycaemic Omega-3 fatty acid

Bioactive Substances

Alpha-linolenic acid Lignans

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/antioxidants.html

Other Literature Sources:

https://www.lens.org/lens/search/patent/list?q=ref...

MeSH Terms: Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antioxidants, Brain, Butylene Glycols, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diet, Dietary Fiber, Dietary Supplements, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Female, Flax, Functional Food, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Glucosides, Hormones, Humans, Lignans, Lipid Metabolism, Neoplasms, Seeds, alpha-Linolenic Acid