High Lignan Flaxseed Oil - Health Heart Hero

The Dynamic Duo:  Omega-3 and Omega 6
The body needs two essential fatty acids:  Omega-3 and Omega-6.  Working in tandem, this duo helps control the way cholesterol works and provides a slew of other benefits to our digestive, immune, and reproductive systems.  The catch:  you need a healthy balance between the two Omegas.   While Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, Omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation as they respond to injury and attacks by microbes.

While Omega-6 can easily be obtained through sunflower, safflower, corn oil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and other sources, Omega-3 is much harder to come by.  The fact is, the vast majority of us are getting enough Omega-6 but far too little, if any, Omega-3.  The best sources are deep water ocean fish (not farm-raised fish!) and flax seed oil.   While this Kat would clearly prefer to dine on tuna, sea bass, or orange roughy on a daily basis, she’s also practical and  knows that’s not always possible.  The solution?  The Co-op’s High Lignan Flax Seed Oil.

The Lignan Advantage
Lignans, a type of chemical compound found in plants, comes from the shell hull of flaxseeds.  Once upon a time, these were discarded, but it was soon discovered they offered additional health benefits because of the phytoestrogen antioxidants they contained.

There are many studies that show that flaxseed oil, and in particular Omega-3 fatty acids, lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.  It’s believed that flaxseed oil may also help lower blood pressure, all of which means a healthier heart for you.  Because  Omega-3 fatty acids contain a natural anti-inflammatory,  flaxseed oil may also alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other joint related conditions.

What’s especially exciting is (preliminary research) regarding flaxseed oil and cancer.  While not conclusive, there are a numerous European studies, as well as studies out of the (University of Toronto) that indicate Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth of (breast), (prostate), (colon) and lung cancer.   Flaxseed oil may also contribute to reducing the severity and growth rate of existing tumors.

 (Dr. Johanna Budwig), a top German biochemist who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize seven times, first began touting a flaxseed oil diet in 1951.   Her diet, which mixes the flaxseed oil with cottage cheese (a sulfurated protein) for easy absorption, was found to reduce tumor size and even eradicate cancer completely in her patients.   For more on Dr. Budwig and her ground-breaking research, read her book  Flax Oil as a True Aid Against Arthritis, Heart Infarction, Cancer, and Other Diseases.

It’s no surprise to the Kat that something so natural as flaxseed oil offers so much potential benefit.  I, for one, intend to add it to my diet when the fish aren’t biting!

Notes:
• Dr. Christine Albert, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University, headed a study that showed how higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the diet could protect women from heart disease and put them at a lower risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest.  The findings were presented at The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2004 conference.  
• While Flaxseed oil and Fish oil both contain Omega 3 fatty acids, they contain different types.  Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is found only in flaxseed.  EicosaPentanoic Acid (EPA) and DocosaHexanoic Acid (DHA) are found only in fish oil.   The human body can convert ALA into first EPA and then DHA, but the conversion requires several enzymatic steps.   Some bodies are good at this, while others can’t convert any significant amounts.  
• Because the fiber in flaxseed may lower the body’s ability to absorb medications, flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as your other supplements and medications.  Be sure to take with plenty of water, too.
• Attention athletes!  According to Fats that Heal: Fats that Kill (Alive Books, 1993),  flaxseed oil can shorten the time needed for fatigues muscles to recover, decrease the time it takes for bruises and sprains to heal, and increase your energy and stamina. 
• Consider giving High Lignan Flaxseed Oil to your dog, especially an older dog with creaky joints.  It will help reduce the inflammation and help keep his/her coat healthy and shiny.   (Okay, okay … try a smaller dose with your kats, too)

• Found in the Western Canadian prairies, the Mediterranean, India and parts of Europe, the flax is a blue flowering annual that stands approximately 1.2 m high. 
• Flaxseed contains 100 – 400 times more lignans than any other seed.
• Other food sources of lignans include sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, rye, broccoli and beans, all good things to add to the diet the Kat thinks.
  
• Eskimos have a high intake of Omega-3 fatty acids due to all the fresh fish in their diets.  They also  have a very low death rate from heart disease,  about 90% lower than many Western countries.  Coincidence?  This Kat thinks not. 
  
• People who follow the Mediterranean Diet tend to have healthy cholesterol levels.  It’s no surprise to the Kat that this diet offers a healthy balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.