| The flax plant, an ancient crop, yields the fibre | | | | had a slower tumor growth rate. Studies of |
| from which linen is woven, as well as seeds | | | | animals, too, suggest some anti-cancer benefit |
| (linseed or flaxseed) and oil. The oil, also called | | | | from flaxseed. But it's always difficult to know |
| linseed oil, has many industrial uses - it is an | | | | whether it's the lignans that help, or some other |
| important ingredient in paints, varnishes and | | | | element in the flaxseeds. And not all studies have |
| linoleum for example. | | | | yielded positive results. |
| Like olive, canola, and most other plant oils, flax | | | | Besides lignans, flaxseeds and their oil are also the |
| seed oil is highly unsaturated and heart-healthy. | | | | best food sources of an essential fatty acid, |
| Lignans and other flax seed components may also | | | | alpha-linolenic acid. "Essential" means we must |
| have antioxidant properties, which means they | | | | consume it, because our bodies cannot |
| may reduce the activity of cell-damaging free | | | | manufacture it. Essential fatty acids are important |
| radicals. | | | | for cell membranes, blood pressure regulation, and |
| Recently small studies of cancer patients who | | | | other functions. Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3, |
| consumed flaxseeds have produced some | | | | similar to some of the fatty acids in fish oil. Like |
| encouraging results. | | | | aspirin, omega-3s may reduce blood clotting, thus |
| In one study men with prostate cancer who ate | | | | lessening the chance of a fatal heart attack. |
| an ounce of ground flaxseeds (almost three | | | | Flaxseeds and their oil may also lower total blood |
| tablespoons) a day as part of a very-low-fat diet | | | | cholesterol, as well as LDL ("bad") cholesterol. |
| were able to slow the progress of their cancers | | | | But that should come as no big surprise, since any |
| between the time they were diagnosed and the | | | | highly unsaturated oil will do that, particularly if |
| time of surgery. A similar study of women | | | | substituted for saturated fats. The fiber in |
| awaiting surgery for breast cancer found that | | | | flaxseeds may also help against cholesterol, since |
| those who ate a flaxseed muffin daily (with about | | | | it is soluble (similar to that in oats). |
| four tablespoons of ground flaxseeds per muffin) | | | | |