Linseed is another name for flaxseed, which is the seed of the flax plant, the Medicinal Herb Info website explains. The flax plant is native to Europe, but also now grows wild in North America. The seeds are the medicinal portion of the plant, but oil from the seeds is often used as well for lowering cholesterol, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Consult your doctor before using flaxseed or flaxseed oil to lower your cholesterol or self-treat any other condition.
Cholesterol Explained
MedlinePlus reports that flaxseeds in your diet can help reduce your levels of LDL --- low-density liprotein, the "bad" cholesterol. Cholesterol consists of two forms of a waxy substance found in all of your body's cells, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your cells need a certain amount of cholesterol to operate properly. As cholesterol travels through your bloodstream, it takes one of two forms: LDL or HDL --- high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol,. LDL cholesterol can stick to the walls of your blood vessels and arteries, potentially causing blockages. HDL can help remove excess LDL from your blood. When you have a high HDL level, you are less likely to get heart disease.
Flaxseed Health Benefits
In addition to helping you lower your cholesterol, flaxseed or flaxseed oil is used to treat arthritis, constipation, hot flashes and as cancer prevention, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. MedlinePlus adds that flaxseed is also considered a treatment for atherosclerosis, high blood sugar, systemic lupus erythematosus and some menopause symptoms. The the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also lists periodontal disease, premenstrual syndrome and radiation therapy side effects are also listed as conditions that can benefit from eating flaxseed.
Research
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil have been shown to significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL levels in human test subjects. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai studied this effect, publishing their findings in 2009 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." Scientists compared clinical data from 28 previous clinical trials using flaxseed to determine its effects in lowering cholesterol, and reevaluated the data. The researchers concluded that not only is flaxseed able to lower overall cholesterol and LDL levels, but it is most effective in post-menopausal women.
How It Works
Flaxseed has been found to contain high levels of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids --- both of which have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, reports MedlinePlus. The fiber from the seed coat is thought to combine with cholesterol in the intestine, preventing it from being absorbed. Flaxseed is also able to make platelets in the blood less sticky, so they are less likely to form clots. Combined, these effects help to prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Considerations
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cautions you not to eat flaxseeds or flaxseed oil at the same time you're taking medications and other supplements, because they may prevent your body from properly absorbing the medications or supplements. MedlinePlus adds that you may experience bloating, gas or stomach ache when you take flaxseeds. Drink plenty of water when eating flaxseeds to prevent possible blockages in your intestines. Pregnant women and people with bleeding disorders, those taking medications for diabetes and those with hormone-sensitive cancers should not take flaxseed, the site further cautions. If you take antibiotics, estrogens, acetaminophen, blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen and some other medications, you should not take flaxseeds because they may harmfully interact. If you have questions about how flaxseeds can interact with other supplements or medications you take, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Forms Used
You can benefit from the cholesterol-lowering effects of flaxseeds in several ways, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains. Add the whole or ground flaxseeds to juice, salads or cereals. Adding flaxseed oil to foods or taking it by the spoonful will also benefit your health. The active ingredients in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil can easily spoil, so keep flaxseed oil refrigerated and discard it after a few weeks. Flaxseeds should be kept in a dry, dark place until ground, and you should use them immediately after grinding to get the full benefit.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Flaxseed
- MedlinePlus: Flaxseed
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
- Medicinal Herb Info: Flax
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: What is Cholesterol?
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Meta-analysis of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids; A. Pan et al.; August 2009
