The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Flaxseed' Category

Evaluating flaxseed to treat hot flashes

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Hot flashes are a common symptom during the menopause transition or following breast cancer treatment.

During the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, researchers at various centers in the US reported their findings. (more…)

Effect of flaxseed on lipids

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Shanghai reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Flaxseed product fails to lower cholesterol in women

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Researchers at Iowa State University’s Nutrition and Wellness Research Center in Ames determined whether the main compound in a flaxseed product, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, could lower cholesterol.

Here’s a preview of the results they will present during the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. (more…)

Effects of flaxseed on the metabolic syndrome and exercise

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

The effects of taking flaxseed lignan complex during exercise in older adults were studied by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. (more…)

Flaxseed review

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Medscape has published 2 case histories. One patient wants to take flaxseed to improve cholesterol levels and diabetes control. The other has constipation and premenstrual symptoms.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Safety of flaxseed oil during pregnancy

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

 Researchers from the Université de Montréal report, “that the risks of a premature birth quadruple if flaxseed oil is consumed in the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy.”

The results are scheduled for presentation during the annual meeting of The Teratology Society. (more…)

Most commonly used natural products

Sunday, January 18th, 2009

Here’s a follow-up to an earlier post on the use of CAM in the US in 2007 as surveyed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (more…)

Lowering cholesterol with flaxseed in postmenopausal women

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Researchers from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater report a positive response in a sea of inconsistency. (more…)

CAM use in the US

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that approximately 38% of adults and 12% of children use some form of CAM. (more…)

CAM and diabetes: A round up of studies from 2008

Saturday, November 1st, 2008

November is diabetes month at the CAM Report.

Here’s what we covered so far this year. (more…)

Comparing 3 forms of flaxseed

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

Researchers from St Boniface Hospital Research Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba compared whole seed, milled seed, and flaxseed oil. (more…)

The latest on flaxseed oil in diabetes

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

MayoClinic.com says, “Studies of the effect of flaxseed on blood sugar levels report mixed results. Flaxseed cannot be recommended as a treatment for diabetes at this time.”

But that was in February. Now it’s May. And here are the latest findings. (more…)

Fatty acids and behavior in adolescents with ADHD

Monday, March 10th, 2008

This study shows that there are metabolic differences in the way that adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) handle dietary fatty acids compared to young people without ADHD. (more…)

Flaxseed for menopausal symptoms and more

Sunday, March 9th, 2008

One study reports on flax and flaxseed oil in menopausal women, the second conducts a general review of the literature.

One study is positive; the other is not. (more…)

Linolenic acid lowers the risk of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid found in many vegetable oils, including flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Maryland reviewed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They focused on adults with diabetes who were evaluated for peripheral neuropathy. (more…)

Reviewing the benefits and dosing recommendations for omega-3

Monday, November 19th, 2007

Two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have a number of positive actions against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and its complications.

An article by the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association documents the benefits, with dosing details.

(more…)

Effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acid on blood pressure: The INTERMAP study.

Sunday, June 10th, 2007

The INTERMAP study (INTERnational collaborative of MAcronutrients and blood Pressure) examines correlations between nutrients and worldwide patterns of blood pressure.

The abstract is obtuse, but Medscape has a decent review. (more…)

Recommendations for taking omega-3 fatty acids

Saturday, November 11th, 2006

Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those who are at high risk of heart disease or already have it. And I suppose when it becomes a prescription drug, it’s no longer complementary but integrated into mainstream medicine.

So, here’s one last (maybe) entry on N-3 PUFA (omega-3) taken from the American Heart Association (AHA).
(more…)