Linseed and usages in humanlife

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Date: May 2011
Publisher: American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information
Document Type: Report
Length: 9,104 words
Lexile Measure: 1320L

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Introduction

Flaxseed or linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is derived from the flax plant, an annual herb with blue flowers believed to have originated in Egypt. Also othere researcher bilived that it maybe from Turkiye, Suriye, or Irak. Todays this plant cultivated as a cultivar plant in Europe, Asia, USA. It is a versatile plant that is grown both for industrial and culinary applications, as well as for aesthetic purposes. This is one of the few flowers in the world capable of truly producing the blue colors.

The popularity of the flax plant has been increasing in the past years due to health concerns and awareness that is spreading across the world. Known for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids as well as fibre, flax seeds in its various forms have become standard in the diets of those who are looking towards a healthier lifestyle. The among of 3-fatty acids is about more than 2 times fishes. Past the seed, the fibre extracted from the 'skin' of the plant can be used to make clothing articles, beddings, ropes and more.

The ancient Egyptians used flaxseed for nutritional and medicinal purposes about B.C 3000. They also used the fiber contained in the flax plant to make clothes, fishnets, and other products. Throughout history, flaxseed has been primarily used as a laxative. It is high in fiber and a gummy material called mucilage. These substances expand when they come in contact with water, so they add bulk to stool and help it move more quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, thereby acting as a laxative for constipation.

The seeds and oil of the flax plant also contain substances that promote good health. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and a variety of other health problems. Other plants that provide ALA include canola (rapeseed), soybean oil, walnuts, and pumpkin seed. ALA belongs to a group of substances called omega-3 fatty acids. It is important to maintain an appropriate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet, as these two substances work together to promote health. Mackerel, salmon, and walnuts are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation while omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation. A healthy diet should consist of roughly 2-4 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet tends to contain 14-30 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids, and many researchers believe this imbalance is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Other omega-3 fatty acids include those found in fish oil (docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA). ALA can be converted to long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and can therefore be substituted for fish oils. However, EPA and DHA (the fish oils) are...

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Gale Document Number: GALE|A260791716