Introduction:
The occurrence of constipation is gradually increasing, and it is more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults as well as women. Medical and nonmedical therapies, including lifestyle modifications, are developed to treat functional constipation. Flax seeds are becoming more and more popular in nonmedical therapy. They include high concentrations of lignan, linolenic acid, and other bioactive substances that have pharmacological effects on lowering blood pressure, blood glucose, body weight, and blood lipids, improving immunity, and preventing cerebrovascular disorders. They also contain fibers that help speed up defecation and enhance gut mobility.
What Are the Nutritional Composition of Flax Seeds?
Flaxseed, often known as linseed, is derived from the plant, an annual herb. The ancient Egyptians used flaxseed for diet and medicinal purposes. Flaxseed was primarily utilized as a laxative in the past. It has a high fiber content and contains mucilage (a sticky substance that swells in the presence of water). They help pass the stool through the intestines more rapidly by adding more volume. Flaxseed has become a promising functional food due to its high content of phenolic compounds, lignans, high-quality protein, soluble fiber, and alpha-linolenic acid. The chemical components of flaxseed are affected by its growing settings, genetics, and processing circumstances. Several studies have indicated that the lipid content of flaxseed varies between 37 and 45 g per 100 g of the seed.
Cotyledons are the primary oil storage tissues, accounting for 75 percent of the seed oil. Flaxseed oil contains 98 percent triacylglycerol, phospholipids, and 0.1 percent free fatty acids. It contains about 21 % of protein on average. The cotyledons contain the majority of the protein. The two main protein fractions are albumin, for about 20 to 42 %, and globulin, for about 26 to 58 %. Flax seeds have a similar amino acid composition and nutritional value to soy proteins. Flaxseed protein contains high levels of arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and low levels of lysine. Elevated amounts of cysteine and methionine boost antioxidant levels, lowering the cancer risk. The protein content is impacted by dehusking, defatting, and processing conditions. High levels of protein are present in the defatted and dehusked meals. Flaxseed proteins can inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, Alternaria solani, and Aspergillus flavus.
What Are the Effects of Flaxseeds on Gut Microbiota?
The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem made up of bacteria. Gut microbiota are responsible for maintaining overall human health. The typical roles of the gut microbiota include immunomodulation, intestinal barrier maintenance, and host nutrition and metabolism. The gut microbiota has metabolic actions that are essential for human nutrition. Due to their high fiber content and other bioactive ingredients, flax seeds have the potential to relieve constipation by influencing the bacteria in the gut. Flax seeds were observed to increase defecation frequency and improve bowel motility and quality of life, and their therapeutic efficacy was superior to lactulose.
It has been discovered that after receiving a weekly dose of flax seeds (0.01 oz per kg), healthy adult males exhibited a notable change in their gut microbiota. Studies on mammals have shown that flax seeds can reduce the risk of colon cancer and colitis by increasing SCFA (short-chain fatty acids) and decreasing the number of pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium perfringens. After four weeks of flaxseed administration, the frequency of defecation and the symptoms improved with the correction of altered gut flora. Flax seeds are well known to be a handy, safe, and beneficial dietary supplement that does not have any negative effects. There are many ways to add flax seed powder to the diet. Flax seeds are said to lower blood sugar, blood fat, and body weight and protect against colon cancer.
What Are the Precautions to Be Taken?
Herbal medicine is a traditional method of promoting health and curing illness. On the other hand, herbs may interact with other herbs, vitamins, or drugs or have adverse consequences. For these reasons, it is important to use herbs carefully and under the guidance of a medical professional in botanical medicine. Recent research on two large groups of men and women indicated that diets high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) might increase the risk of macular degeneration despite studies showing that eating fish containing omega-3 fatty acids may lessen the risk of macular degeneration.
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Raw or unripe flaxseeds are harmful and should not be consumed.
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Women with endometriosis, uterine, or ovarian cancer should consult their doctor because flaxseed has the potential to mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.
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Pregnant women should avoid flaxseed, as it may mimic the effects of estrogen on the body. Consult the physician if one is pregnant or nursing before consuming flaxseed.
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Men who have prostate cancer should consult their physician before consuming flaxseed.
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It is not recommended for anyone to ingest flaxseed if they have a constricted esophagus, an inflammatory bowel, or bowel obstruction. It has a lot of fiber and can exacerbate the illness.
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Always drink plenty of water when taking ground flaxseed.
What Are the Possible Interactions of Flaxseeds?
Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be affected by flaxseed supplements. One should see the doctor if they are using any of the following drugs:
Blood Thinning Drugs: Omega-3 fatty acids may cause more bleeding, particularly if using blood thinners such as Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Combining Aspirin with omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in certain circumstances. However, they must only be taken in combination with medical supervision.
Diabetes Medication: Flaxseed may help reduce blood sugar levels. Flaxseed should only be used under a doctor’s supervision if one uses diabetes medication, such as insulin.
Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Birth Control Pills: Flaxseed has the potential to alter hormone levels and impact the efficacy of HRT or oral contraceptives.
Conclusion:
About 30% of flaxseed dietary fiber is soluble and viscous, which positively affects human lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. It has been observed that a week of flax seed consumption alters the intestinal flora of healthy male adults. However, whether the flax seeds can help with chronic constipation in older adults is unknown.
