Previous
New Hope for Liver Scars
Next
Supporting Metabolism to Help Liver-Related Fatigue
Can Flaxseeds Support Liver Health?
An ingredient well known in many health food circles, flaxseeds are a terrific addition to a diet crafted for a healthy liver.
Applicable to various natural botanicals, the seeds of some plants are nutritional superstars. Loaded with the necessary nutrients for creation, seeds can harbor a wide range of health benefits when consumed. This sentiment is especially true for flaxseed, a tiny kernel from the flax plant. Based on numerous studies and several of its characteristics, the liver appears to get a healthful boost from regular consumption of flaxseed.
About Flax
According to the Flax Council of Canada, flaxseed was cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC. By the 8th century, King Charlemagne believed so strongly in the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to consume it. Thirteen centuries later, research on flaxseed demonstrates that King Charlemagne was justified in his beliefs.
Upon analyzing its nutritional content, the flaxseed contains three distinct healthful constituents:
1. Lignans
2. Omega-3 essential fatty acids
3. Fiber
Each of these flaxseed components contributes to a healthful liver.
Flax’s Lignans
Found in the cell walls of plants, lignans are fiber-like compounds that have antioxidant properties. In the form of phytoestrogens, the unique structure of lignans makes them one of the few naturally occurring compounds in food that function as weak or moderate estrogens when consumed. Among all foods commonly eaten by humans, researchers rank flaxseeds as the number one source of lignans. In comparison:
• sesame seeds come in second, containing one-seventh of the total lignans as flaxseeds
• sunflower seeds contain about 1/350th as many lignans as flaxseeds
• cashews nuts contain about 1/475th as many lignans as flaxseeds
Although several hundred individual lignans have been discovered, most lignan research has focused on those from flaxseed – primarily secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). As published in the July 2010 edition of the journal Nutrition Research, Japanese researchers investigated the effects of SDG on high cholesterol and liver disease risk factors in men with moderately high cholesterol. High triglyceride levels and obesity can cause elevated liver enzymes. Researchers found that subjects who took 100 mg of SDG daily had lower blood levels of two liver enzymes – a sign that inflammation and cell damage in the liver had decreased – compared to the start of the study and to placebo.
Flax’s Omega-3’s
Ground flaxseed is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a precursor of the omega-3 fatty acids that help address hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood) by improving cholesterol ratio. In addition, the plant omega-3 ALA helps decrease inflammatory reactions in humans. Since inflammation in the liver can damage liver cells, flaxseed’s high dose of ALA could help protect the liver from cellular injury.
Flax’s Fiber
Another reason flaxseed is unique is because it contains both the soluble and insoluble types of fiber. Both types of fiber are important for health, digestion, and preventing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, diverticulitis, constipation and fatty liver disease.
• Soluble – Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion, minimizes insulin resistance, helps control weight and reduces absorption of dietary cholesterol.
• Insoluble – Helping prevent constipation, insoluble fiber passes through the digestive tract. Because constipation can cause toxins to build up in the body – placing an added detoxification strain on the liver – insoluble fiber is a key dietary strategy for maintaining liver health.
Consuming Flaxseed
When faced with how to consume it, those new to flax may feel a bit overwhelmed by the options. Several guiding points will help beginners start incorporating flaxseed into their diet:
• Purchase milled flax or grind it yourself – Whole flax seeds stay fresh longer than ground flax, but will likely pass through your system undigested. Thus, consume ground flaxseed – also known as milled flax or flax meal.
• Keep it cold, sealed and dark – If using ground flax, it will keep longer in the freezer. To further prevent oxidation and maintain potency, flaxseed should be stored in an airtight, dark-colored container.
• Add ground flaxseed to foods and drinks – Imparting a subtle, nutty flavor, ground flaxseed can add a liver health benefit to many types of foods and drinks. It can be added to smoothies, baked goods, cereal, soups, stews and cooked vegetables.
A drug capable of reducing liver inflammation, improving the cholesterol ratio, reducing blood sugar levels, easing constipation and fighting obesity would be prescribed to most people at risk for a fatty liver and many with chronic liver disease. Much safer and less expensive than a drug, flaxseed accomplishes all of these tasks naturally. Based on the properties of its lignans, fiber and ALA content, flaxseed makes an ideal addition to diets prioritizing liver health.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/specialists/digestive-health/babyatsky/qa/effects-of-flaxseed/index.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyAging_20120614, Effects of Flaxseed, Mark Babyatsky, MD, Retrieved June 17, 2012, Everyday Health, Inc., 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19515737, Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids, Pan A, et al, Retrieved June 17, 2012, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 2009.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797475, Flaxseed lignan lowers blood cholesterol and decreases liver disease risk factors in moderately hypercholesterolemic men, Fukumitsu, S, et al, Retrieved June 17, 2012, Nutrition Research, July 2010.
http://www.raysahelian.com/lignan.html, Lignan Information and health benefit of supplements, Ray Sahelian, MD, Retrieved June 17, 2012, raysahelian.com, 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed, The Benefits of Flaxseed, Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, Retrieved June 17, 2012, WebMD, LLC, 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/fiber-health-benefits-11/insoluble-soluble-fiber, Dietary Fiber: Insoluble vs. Soluble, Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, Retrieved June 17, 2012, WebMD, LLC, 2012.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81, Flaxseeds, Retrieved June 17, 2012, The George Mateljan Foundation, 2012.
About the Author
Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., MTCM is a long time advocate of integrating perspectives on health. With a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute, Nicole has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000. She has gathered acupuncture licenses in the states of California and New York, is a certified specialist with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, has earned diplomat status with the National Commission of Chinese and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. In addition to her acupuncture practice that focuses on stress and pain relief, digestion, immunity and oncology, Nicole contributes to the integration of healthcare by writing articles for professional massage therapists and people living with liver disease.
You can also substitute ground flax seed for eggs in recipes. Each egg = one tablespoon ground flax seeds to 3 tablespoons water. If you need a large batch for baking, you can make this: http://www.food.com/recipe/flax-vegan-egg-substitute-104832 Works great for those looking to increase their Omega-3s as well as keeping cholesterol in check.
THE CURE FOR HEPATITIS B &C THAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT.
Chronic hepatitis B virus and
hepatitis C virus can THE CURE FOR HEPATITIS B &C THAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT. cleared off the system completely unlike what some people would tell you but it takes several months of consistent treatment and your adherence to medical instructions. In some, 3 months, in others more. During the course of treatment, I do advise my patients to completely stay away from alcoholic drinks, herbal mixtures of any type, processed oils, some certain pharmaceutical drugs, excess protein intake, no meat,because there’s need to relieve the liver of heavy work as it’s already under attack(inflammation). No sugar, you eat moderately at a time. Liver inflammation which is caused by hepatitis affects your livers ability to digest some certain foods and substances and as a consequence your absorption and assimilation rate is reduced.
If you have ulcer or any gastro intestinal tract disease/condition together with hepatitis B or C, then you need a better and regular care by a listening physician. Please, never eat any food that has grown mold, don’t even try to clean it off or cook and eat. Molds like plants have roots, molds roots are microscopic and they will remain in the food after you might have robbed it of your food surface. Liver biopsy is a bit invasive, HBV DNA/viral load is costly, Lamivudine, pegylated interferon and ribavirin is what i see through my patients that most expert prescribe which can’t clear the chronic forms.
Hepatitis B and C are curable but if you can’t afford the treatment, take to the advice above, take adequate water, proper sleep and make these few supplements/medications close to your heart, i promise they will help: Livolin forte[contains some liver friendly B-vitamins], vitamin E and you can always alternate between Livolin forte and Silymarin(the active substance of Milk Thistle). The most important thing is not just buying the supplements but also buying a high quality brand, if possible stay away from drugs or supplements with heavy chemicals, organic is better because all ingested chemicals go to the liver for detoxification which we are trying to minimize in the case of hepatitis B and C as the liver in this case is a bit compromised. But be careful and if you can afford the services of a professional like myself, please do because we don’t advocate self medication.
NOTE: If you have tested positive to either HBV or HCV, don’t hesitate to talk to me as no one deserves to live in ignorance-induced pain. I have a cure with a 99% success rate.
Best Regards,
Integrative Medicine Physician/fellow at University of Arizona Integrative Med.
‘The medicine that can cure those diseases of yours’.
For Free Consultation:
09036899255(both calling and WhatsApp number).
Email: caringheartclinic@gmail.com
is flaxseed oil as good as milled flaxseed?
some flaxseed oil adds lignans but as far as i’m concerned, whole food is the best. I mill all my flaxseeds and only use the golden flax seeds, they taste better.
have read that there is still some inconclusive testing that flax has some adverse effects in men on the prostate – is there any truth?
Wouldn’t we chew the flaxseeds when we eat them? Isn’t that going to break them down so they wouldn’t pass through us undigested?
What’s the best way to incorporate flaxseed oil into food without the nasty taste?
Why don’t these articles ever say HOW MUCH of the product you need to consume in a day to reap the health benefits. I don’t know if it’s a teaspoon…or a pound. Anyone know???
Five months ago I started using the ground version and it is so much better than the seeds or oil. I like the golden one, two tables spoons I. My oatmeal every day. 4-5 times a week does help
Is it okay to take the capsule form og flaxseed? I just bought some. Donna
trader joe’s has both peanut butter and almond butter with ground flax seeds. These taste pretty good as well. The only problem is that you need to mix the whole thing up before using.
Yeah, so does Whole Foods. The brand is “Earth Balance”. It’s really good, sweetened only with agave juice, which is low glycemic.
No mixing or refrigeration required, either. Of all the peanut butters in the store, that’s my favorite.