Flaxseed
Linum usitatissimum, a leafy plant that grows to a height of 20 to 150 cm. The flax plant is characterized by its azure blue flowers and grayish green leaves. It is also distinguished by its flat, bright brown seeds. Temperate climates and seasonal climates; dry mature flaxseeds are produced from this plant by multiplying their capsules. Flaxseeds have been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes, as well as for use as food. Their use was known in ancient Egyptians. They’re common it is used as a laxative in the fight against constipation.
Flaxseed is a good source of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as it contains alpha-linolenic acid, contains lignan compounds, and the health benefits of flaxseed are attributed to this content, as a healthy food until the modern era, where many of the recent studies proved their effectiveness and importance in many health cases, and in this article detailed about the most important health benefits of flaxseed.
Benefits of flaxseed
The benefits of flaxseed include many different health conditions, including:
- Blood sugar control: Flaxseed contributes to lower blood sugar levels in cases of diabetes.
- Contributing to weight loss: It is thought that eating flaxseed fibers before meals reduces the feeling of hunger, which reduces the amount of food and calorie intake and contribute to the feeling of satiety.
- Lowering the level of total cholesterol and bad cholesterol in the blood: Scientists believe that flax =seed fibers are linked to cholesterol in the intestines and prevent absorption.
- Contributing to blood thinning and curvature reduction: Flaxseed is thought to reduce the viability of platelets on adhesion, which reduces the blood’s ability to coagulate.
- Previous effects of the role of linseed in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
- Combating cancer: Flaxseed contains lignans, which are very similar to female estrogen. These compounds compete with estrogen in their biochemical reactions, weakening the effects of natural estrogen, so flaxseed is used in some cancers which are affected by estrogen, and some researchers believe that lignan compounds can slow the growth of some types of breast cancer, in addition to other types of cancer, which works to stimulate the growth of estrogen.
- Improvement of autoimmune disorders known as Lupus erythematosus: Flaxseed is thought to improve kidney function in cases of SLE by lowering blood thickness, lowering cholesterol level, and relieving bulging.
- Some preliminary studies have found that taking a particular product of flaxseed daily for 4 months reduces urinary tract symptoms and improves the quality of life in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but this effect needs further research.
- Some studies suggest that ingestion of lignan compounds reduces the risk of colon cancer, while other studies have not achieved the same result.
- Some studies have found that eating muffin containing flaxseeds contributes to the fight against constipation in adults, while consumption of flaxseed milk has been shown to help treat constipation in older adults.
- Some studies have found that eating flaxseed extract three times a day for 6 months reduces blood pressure in men not for women, but this effect needs to be more scientific proof.
- Some studies have found that taking estrogen compounds, such as those found in flaxseed, reduces the risk of lung cancer, but this requires further research.
- Flaxseed and its extracts can play a role in metabolic syndrome.
- Some studies suggest that flaxseed and low-fat diets reduce the level of prostate-specific antigen, which is an indicator of prostate cancer in men with precancerous prostate condition. In cases of prostate cancer, however, The consumption of flaxseed decreased the level of this indicator, but it was found to reduce the level of testosterone and slow down the process of division and proliferation of cancer cells.
- Some preliminary studies have found a role for flaxseed in cases of diverticulitis, gastric disorders, cystitis, skin irritation, hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, and other conditions, but these require further scientific research to prove them.
Damage to flaxseed
In this section, we will discuss the side effects that can be caused by the use of flaxseeds, as well as the risks of using high doses. Flaxseeds are usually safe in the diet, but side effects can include:
- Increase the number of times daily discharge, in addition to some symptoms of the digestive system, such as puff, stomach pain, abdominal diarrhea, constipation and feeling nausea, and the chance of the emergence of side effects and increase with increased quantities.
- Flaxseed increases the chances of intestinal obstruction, so be careful to eat enough water with it, and should be avoided in people with any part of the digestive system.
- Flaxseeds should be avoided in therapeutic doses by pregnant and lactating women.
- Large quantities of flaxseed should be avoided in cases of bleeding disorders, and precautions should be taken when used in the treatment of blood thinners because of similar effects in slowing blood clotting.
- Care should be taken when consuming flaxseed with antihypertensive drugs, as it has a similar effect in reducing blood sugar, which can cause a significant reduction in the level.
- Care should be taken when taking flaxseed in therapeutic amounts by people taking blood pressure medications, which can cause a significant reduction in the level of what can result in antihypertensive effects.
- Flaxseed can delay the absorption of drugs taken with it at the same time.
- Flaxseed should be avoided in acute stomach, intestines and esophagus infections.
- The doctor should be consulted before taking flaxseed in therapeutic doses, as is the case with any other alternative treatment.