Flaxseed Oil

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.

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