NutriMelt® Flax Seeds™   Organic Flax Seed Science        Description - Supplement Facts/Ingredients - Science
Flax Seed Oil Price: $7.95	Flax Seed Oil Price: $14.85 (4.95ea)

Composition of the flax seed

• Oil (38%)which is comprised mainly of:
  • Alpha linolenic Acid (an Omega-3 fatty acid)
  • Linolenic Acid (and Omega 6 fatty acid)
  • Oleic Acid (an Omega 9 fatty acid which is also the predominant fatty acid found in olive oil)
• Fiber (28%)
• Protein (19.5 %)
• Carbohydrates (6.5%) There are simple sugars, lignans, phenolic acids and hemicellulose.
• Ash (4%) This is the inorganic components of the seed that would be left after all the organic components of the seed were burned off.
• Minerals (1.8%) Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium
• Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, and Niacin (0.32%)
• Lecithin (0.15%)
• Flavonoids (0.1%)
• Phytic acid (0.1 %)
  

The essential fatty acids in flax oil are the best known constituent of the flax seed. There has been lots of research done on the use of flax seed in the treatment or prevention of sickness and disease.

Emerging scientific evidence has begun to focus on another healing element found in the fibrous shell hull of the flaxseed. Special phytochemical constituents have been isolated in flax, that once ingested are converted to potent cancer fighting and preventative compounds called mammalian lignans. Extensive evidence from numerous research institutes has revealed the potent anti-cancer properties exhibited by these amazing natural plant chemicals. Lignans have been shown to prevent the cause of colon and breast cancers where they start, by normalizing hormone metabolism responsible for the disease. Lignans are phytonutrients (plant compounds) found in high-fiber foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Flaxseeds are the most abundant source of plant lignans, containing over 100 times more than other common plant sources. Some studies indicate lignans have anti-carcinogenic effects and may protect against cancer. Several clinical research centers, including the National Cancer Institute, are currently studying the preventive and nutritional benefits of flaxseed lignans on humans.

Lignans are not abundant in the oil (they comprise less than 2% of the oil). They are, however, a part of the hull of the seed and are packaged with all the other antioxidants and protective factors in the seed. Lignans are a group of phytonutrients which are found in all seeds and grains. Other sources of lignans such as rye, buckwheat, millet, soya, and barley, yield 2-5 micrograms of lignans per gram (mcg/g) of grain. Flax seed yields an extraordinary 800 mcg/g of lignans.

Lignans were first discovered in flax seeds in the mid 1950's.1 The first interests in SDG's arose in the mid 1980's. Since the seed is mostly fat and the lignans are such a small percentage of the seed it has only been in recent years that there has been a process which will highly concentrate the lignans of the flax seed. Scientific studies have suggested that the lignans interfere with the development of breast, prostate, colon and other cancers. Cancer now strikes one in three Americans. Research has also shown that people who excrete high amounts of lignans in their urine (indicative of a high intake) have markedly lower cancer rates.2 Conversely, investigators reported that the level of lignans in the body were lower in patients with breast cancer than in tumor free patients. 3

The lignan compounds have shown such extraordinary potential that they have been studied by the National Cancer Institute for their cancer preventative properties. The SDG lignan not only has anticancer properties, it has anti-viral , anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant. Most of the SDGs tested for their antioxidant activity have shown themselves to be 5 time greater in activity than Vitamin E.

1. Adlercreutz H., et al. "Excretion of the lignans enterolactone and enterodiol and of ezuol in omnivorous and vegetarian potmenopausal women and in women with breat cancer"
2. Bakke, J.E., and H.J. Kloesterman, "A new diflucoside from flaxseed". Preceedings of the North Dakota Academy of Science, 1956; 10:1 8-22
3. Adlercreutz, H., Mazur, W. "Phyto-estrogens and Western Diseases" Ann. Med., 19897,29(2):95-120
4. Prasad, K. "Antioxidant Activity of Secoisolariciresinol Ddiglycoside derived Metabolites, Secoisolariciresinol, Enterodiol, and Enterolactone" Int. Journal of Angiology, 2000 Oct. 9(4): 220-225
   

NutriMelt® Flax Seeds™   Organic Flax Seed Science        Description - Supplement Facts/Ingredients - Science
Flax Seed Oil Price: $7.95	Flax Seed Oil Price: $14.85 (4.95ea)