Flaxseed components

Flaxseed was among the best food sources in the prevention of in vivo spontaneous chromosomal damage in mice (Trentin et al., 2004). The exact reason for the chromosomal damage prevention was not identified however, the mechanism may be related to the antioxidant function of flaxseed components. Lignans have antioxidant activity and thus may contribute to the anticancer activity of flaxseed (Kangas et al., 2002 Kitts et al., 1999 Prasad 1997a, Yuan et al., 1999). 

Aside from its murky role in brain function, alpha-linolenic acid has some well-documented effects on heart disease. It reduces the risk of blood-clot formation, lowers the chance of potentially lethal irregular heartbeat, and probably has an antiinflammatory effect on blood vessels. Several studies have found a link between increased intake of the acid and reduced risk of death from heart disease. Alpha-linolenic acid helps lower blood cholesterol, but flaxseed has another component that performs this function even more effectively. This is soluble fiber, which isn t absorbed by the body and passes right through the digestive system. On its journey through the digestive tract, the fiber binds cholesterol and prevents it from... 

As previously mentioned, flaxseed is a rich source of dietary fiber (28%). Dietary fiber has been widely viewed as a component essential to lowering the risk of colon cancer. The flaxseed protein is similar to soy thus may be beneficial to health. Bhathena et al. (2002) first reported that flaxseed protein was effective in lowering plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerides (TAG) compared to soy and casein protein in male F344 and obese SHR/N-cp rats. The role of protein in disease prevention warrants further investigation. Components, such as PAs and flavonoids, may also contribute to the health benefits of flaxseed. 

Cameron et al. (1989) reported that flax oil prevented tumor formation in mice whereas mice on the corn oil and safflower oil diets had the greatest number of tumors. A diet consisting of 10% flax oil was sufficient to reduce tumor growth and metastasis in mice compared with corn or fish oil diets (Fritsche and Johnston, 1990). Although flaxseed and flaxseed oil and lig-nans have been shown to be beneficial, additional studies are needed to identify the mechanisms by which flaxseed or its components function to reduce prostate cancer. 

Thompson, L.U., Rickard, S.E., Orcheson, LJ., and Seidl, M.M. 1996a. Flaxseed and its lignan and oil components reduce mammary tumor growth at a late stage of carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 17, 1373-1376. 

Tou, J.C. and Thompson, L.U. 1999. Exposure to flaxseed or its lignan component during different developmental stages influences rat mammary gland structures. Carcinogenesis 20, 1831-1835. 

Solin Oil occurs as a light yellow oil. It is obtained from the seed of certain varieties of the flaxseed plant Linum usitatissi-mum L. (Fam. Linaceae) by mechanical expression and/or solvent extraction, differing from linseed oil in having a linolenic acid (C18 3) content of less than 5%. The oil is refined, bleached, and deodorized to remove free fatty acids, phospholipids, color, odor and flavor components, and miscellaneous non-oil materials. It is liquid and free from visible foreign material at 21° to 21°, but traces of wax may cause the oil to cloud at refrigeration temperatures (2° to 5°) unless removed by winterization. 

Main components of vegetable oils, including flax oil, are triglycerols and usually contribute more than 90% of all components (Table 1). Minor components in flax oils were found to be at the similar level as in canola and soybean oils (10). The presence of chlorophyll in flax oil usually indicates immaturity of flaxseed. 

Sterols or phytosterols are present in flax oils at a level lower than those in many vegetable oils, 2.3 mg/g in flaxseed oil versus 4.1 to 6.9 mg/g in other oils (Table 2). The composition of sterols was similar to other oils, where p-sitosterol was the main component followed by campesterol and A -avenasterol. Brassicasterol was found in trace amounts in flax oil. This phytosterol is characteristic to plants from the Brassica family and often is used as a marker for oil adulteration (Table 2). 

Flaxseed is covered with fibrous hull accounting for 25 to 45% of the seed weight and contains 2-7% by weight of water-soluble carbohydrates. These components called mucilage can interfere during processing (38). Flaxseed contains approximately 25% protein, 10% moisture, and 35-45% of oil (6, 38, 11). In immamre... 

Omega-3 oils are derived from fish with red flesh such as salmon or mackerel. They are also found in moderate abundance in some plant oils such as flaxseed oil. The two most effective components of omega-3 oils are fatty acids... 

Most flaxseed destined for human consumption is sold in health food stores or in capsule form as a dietary supplement. The volume of organically grown flax is increasing to meet the demands of the typical health food consumer. The edible use of linseed and its oil containing health beneficial components is expected to rise in the future. 

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