| General
Information |
Common Name: |
Flaxseed Oil |
|
Latin
Name:
|
Linum
usitatissimum |
|
Family:
|
Linaceae |
| Other
Names: |
 |
Flaxseed
Oil
|
|
Linseed
Oil
|
|
| Indications
& Historical Uses |
Flaxseed oil
is used orally as food oil, as a supplemental source of alpha- linolenic
acid and for certain medical conditions outlined below:
|
Arthritis
|
|
For
hyperlipidemia
|
|
to
prevent heart attacks
|
|
cancer
|
|
Anxiety
|
|
Benign
prostatic hypertrophy
|
|
Constipation
|
|
Vaginitis
|
|
| Contraindications
& Precautions |
|
Not
to be used in pregnancy and if nursing. See
Caution.
No adverse reactions have been reported.
Drug Interactions:
Non
known.
|
| Dosage
Information |
|
How
Supplied:
|
750
mg. Capsules.
Also available for topical use
|
|
Dosage:
|
1
to 2 capsules two times daily or as advised by physician/ health
professional
|
| Pharmacology
|
|
Flaxseed
oil is the best natural source of alpha-linolenic acid. Linolenic
and alpha-linolenic acid are required for the structural integrity
of cell membranes. They are transformed into longer chain, more
polyunsaturated fatty acids that are precursors to a group of
hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Some
studies show that flaxseed oil offers protection against cardiovascular
disease probably by decreasing platelet aggregation and also by
improving lipid profiles in people with hyperlipoprotinemia.
|
|
Active
Ingredients:
|
|
Alpha-linolenic
acid
|
|
linolenic
|
|
oleic
acids
|
|
| Origin
and Processing |
|
Oil
is extracted from flaxseed. Commercial preparations are available
for oral and topical use.
|
| Scientific
References |
|
The
Review ofNatiural Products by Facts and Comparisions:
St. Louis,MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999
|
|
Mann
, Trusswell AS. Eds. Essentials of Human Nutrition .Oxford.
Oxford University Press 1998
|
|
Rozanova
IA, et al. " Effect of antiartherosclerotic diet, containing
polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 family from flax
oil, on fatty acid composition of cell membranes of patients
with ischemic heart disease, hypertensive disease and hyperlipoprotinemia.
Vopr Pitan 1997: (5): 15-7
|
|
Allman
MA, Penna MM, Pang D," Supplementation with flaxseed
oil versus sunflower seed oil in healthy young men consuming
a low fat diet: effects on platelet composition and function."
Eur J Clin Nutr , 1995; 49 (3): 169-178.
|
|
| Back
To Index |