Herbs and plantsFlaxseed — soothing porridge for the stomach or a hidden danger?
Sources: 5 · Article: 11 332 characters
Henryk Różański warns that cyanide compounds may be released when ground seeds are soaked in cool or lukewarm water.
- He recommends not consuming large amounts of ground flaxseed cold and sets a limit of 1–2 tablespoons per day.
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) indicates that flaxseed may relieve mild gastrointestinal discomfort and help with constipation, and that bloating is a common side effect.
- Henryk Różański recommends drinking plenty of fluid with dry preparations because the mucilage may reduce the absorption of some medicines, vitamins, and mineral salts.
What the authors write
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
Flaxseed may relieve mild gastrointestinal discomfort and help with constipation or soften stools.
„The HMPC concluded that flaxseed may be used to treat habitual constipation or conditions in which stool softening is required to make bowel movements easier. The HMPC also concluded that, on the basis of its long-standing use, flaxseed may be used to relieve mild gastrointestinal discomfort.”HMPC stwierdził, że nasienie lnu może być stosowane w leczeniu zaparć nawykowych lub w schorzeniach, w przypadku których wymagane jest zmiękczenie stolca w celu ułatwienia defekacji. HMPC stwierdził także, że z uwagi na ugruntowane stosowanie nasienie lnu może być stosowane w łagodzeniu łagodnego uczucia dyskomfortu żołądkowo-jelitowego.
Henryk Różański
When taking dry preparations, drink plenty of fluid; the mucilage may reduce the absorption of some medicines, vitamins, and mineral salts.
„When using dry flaxseed preparations, it is essential to take enough fluid (1:10!). Flax mucilage may impair the absorption of some medicines, vitamins, and mineral salts because it has a coating effect. Commission E recommends the following dosage: take 1 tablespoon of whole or crushed (not ground) flaxseed by mouth 2–3 times a day, always with about 150 ml of fluid.”Podczas stosowania suchych preparatów siemienia lnianego konieczne jest podawanie dostatecznej ilości płynów (1:10!). Śluzy lnu mogą upośledzać wchłanianie niektórych leków, witamin i soli mineralnych, działają przecież powlekająco. Komisja E zaleca następujące dawkowanie: wewnętrznie stosować 2-3 razy dziennie 1 łyżkę stołową nierozdrobnionego lub gniecionego (nie śrutowanego) nasienia lnu, zawsze z około 150 ml płynu.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański gives a dose of about 150 ml of fluid per tablespoon of whole or crushed seeds, and 2–3 tablespoons of seeds for making flaxseed porridge.
„Commission E recommends the following dosage: take 1 tablespoon of whole or crushed (not ground) flaxseed by mouth 2–3 times a day, always with about 150 ml of fluid. Use 2–3 tablespoons of ground or crushed flaxseed to make flaxseed porridge.”Komisja E zaleca następujące dawkowanie: wewnętrznie stosować 2-3 razy dziennie 1 łyżkę stołową nierozdrobnionego lub gniecionego (nie śrutowanego) nasienia lnu, zawsze z około 150 ml płynu. 2-3 łyżki śrutowanego lub rozdrobnionego nasienia lnu do sporządzania kleiku lnianego.
Henryk Różański
Do not use flaxseed in cases of intestinal obstruction.
„Flaxseed is contraindicated in intestinal obstruction of any cause. When using dry flaxseed preparations, it is essential to take enough fluid (1:10!). Flax mucilage may impair the absorption of some medicines, vitamins, and mineral salts because it has a coating effect.”Len jest przeciwwskazany przy niedrożności jelit każdego pochodzenia. Podczas stosowania suchych preparatów siemienia lnianego konieczne jest podawanie dostatecznej ilości płynów (1:10!). Śluzy lnu mogą upośledzać wchłanianie niektórych leków, witamin i soli mineralnych, działają przecież powlekająco.
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) lists abdominal bloating as a common side effect and allergic reactions as very rare; it does not recommend use in people with swallowing problems or narrowing or blockage of the digestive tract, among several other conditions.
„Common side effects have been reported with the use of flaxseed (occurring in 1–10 patients out of 100). These include abdominal distension. Allergic reactions, some of them severe, have been reported very rarely. Flaxseed must not be used by patients who have difficulty swallowing or any disorders of the throat.”W związku ze stosowaniem nasienia lnu zgłaszano częste działania niepożądane (obserwowane u 1–10 pacjentów na 100). Obejmują one uwypuklenie brzucha. Bardzo rzadko zgłaszano reakcje alergiczne, w niektórych przypadkach ciężkie. Nasienia lnu nie wolno stosować u pacjentów, którzy mają trudności z przełykaniem lub jakiekolwiek schorzenia gardła.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański describes the release of hydrogen cyanide from cyanogenic compounds in the seeds and notes that this reaction may occur when ground seeds are soaked in cool or lukewarm water.
„Flax contains linamarin in its seeds and herb (not to be confused with linarin, which is a flavonoid), a cyanogenic compound that releases hydrogen cyanide under certain conditions. Linamarin is a nitrile glycoside with the formula C10H17NO6 (molecular weight 247.24508 g/mol).”Len zawiera w nasionach i zielu linamarynę (nie mylić z linaryną, która jest flawonoidem), czyli związek cyjanogenny uwalniający w określonych warunkach cyjanowodór. Linamaryna ma charakter glikozydu nitrylowego o wzorze C10H17NO6 (masa cząsteczkowa 247,24508 g/mol).
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański recommends not consuming large amounts of ground seeds cold and sets a limit of 1–2 tablespoons per day.
„For safety, do not consume more than 1–2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed per day when eaten cold.
This amount of ground seeds (1–2 tablespoons per day) has a coating, nourishing, bile-stimulating effect and helps regulate bowel movements. I have also described the medicinal properties of nitrilosides in respiratory catarrh (an alternative to almond water, cherry laurel water, bird cherry water, etc.): http://www.rozanski.cal.pl/?p=573
Flaxseeds are included in the European Pharmacopoeia 5 (Lini semen; German.”Dla bezpieczeństwa nie należy spożywać mielonych nasion lnu (na zimno) w większych dawkach niż 1-2 łyżki dziennie.
Takie mielone nasiona w dawce 1-2 łyżki dziennie działają powlekająco, odżywczo, żółciopędnie i regulująco na wypróżnienia. Opisałem także właściwości lecznicze nitrylozydów w przypadku nieżytu układu oddechowego (alternatywa dla wody migdałowej, z wawrzynowiśni, czeremchy itd.): http://www.rozanski.cal.pl/?p=573
Nasiona lnu są w Farmakopei Europejskiej 5 (Lini semen; niem.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański states that prepared and commercially sold flaxseed flour does not contain toxic compounds.
„It is properly prepared and sold, and does not contain toxic compounds. This flour can be safely consumed. There are many varieties of flax with different nitriloside levels. Varieties with low linamarin content are certainly used for food.”Jest ona odpowiednio przygotowana i sprzedawana i nie zawiera toksycznych związków. Taką mąkę można śmiało spożywać. Istnieje wiele odmian lnu o różnej zawartości nitrylozydów. Do celów spożywczych z pewnością są używane odmiany o niskiej zwartości linamaryny.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański describes flaxseed as a coating agent and mild laxative, and gives a daily dose of 24–30 g for macerates.
„Coating and mildly laxative effects. By mouth, as macerates: 8–10 g; daily dose: 24–30 g. For external use: macerates and poultices, 30–50 g.
The problem of cyanogenic compounds in food is so important that EFSA issued a special report on it: The EFSA Journal (2004) 105, 1–28 (Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) on hydrocyanic acid in flavourings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties).”Działanie osłaniające, łagodnie przeczyszczające. Doustnie w maceratach 8-10 g, dobowo 24-30. Zewnętrznie – maceraty, kataplazmy 30-50 g.
Problem cyjanogennych związków w pokarmie jest na tyle ważny, że EFSA wydała na ten temat specjalny raport: The EFSA Journal (2004) 105, 1-28 (Opinion of the Scie ntific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) on hydrocyanic acid in flavourings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties).
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
Flaxseed should be used only by adults and adolescents over 12; if symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
„Flaxseed should be used only by adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. If constipation continues after 3 days of using flaxseed, or gastrointestinal discomfort continues after 7 days of use, seek advice from a doctor or qualified healthcare professional.”Nasienie lnu powinno być stosowane wyłącznie u osób dorosłych i młodzieży powyżej 12. roku życia. Jeśli zaparcia utrzymują się po 3 dniach stosowania nasienia lnu lub gdy uczucie dyskomfortu żołądkowo-jelitowego utrzymuje się po 7 dniach stosowania nasienia lnu, należy zasięgnąć porady lekarza lub wykwalifikowanego personelu medycznego.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 189.
The review describes possible benefits of flaxseed for the digestive tract, while also pointing to risks associated with excessive consumption and contaminants.
Aim of the study: Flaxseeds, which have been consumed for thousands of years, have recently gained increasing popularity due to their rich composition, including omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, proteins, and fibers. These components are strongly associated with various health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, preventing certain types of cancer, controlling diabetes, promoting gastro-intestinal well-being, and aiding in weight management.
Results: This monograph explores the role of flaxseeds in nutrition, as well as their potential risks. Despite their numerous health benefits, flaxseeds also raise concerns because of excessive consumption and possible contamination, particularly by cyanogenic glycosides. Therefore, the levels of these compounds must be controlled, and this monograph also analyzes the available methods to detect and reduce these contaminants, ensuring the safety of consumers of flaxseed and flaxseed products. Flaxseed is considered a valuable addition to the diet, but research must continue and technological improvements must be promoted to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), FCT/MCTES
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review lists flaxseed as potentially beneficial for gastrointestinal complaints.
Aim of the study: Flaxseed is a plant that grows and is cultivated in more than 50 countries; the main flax producer countries are Canada, China, the United States, and India. The purpose of the present study was to overview the source, chemical compounds, and mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of this valuable plant.
Results: To write this manuscript, we made a list of relevant keywords and phrases, and then searched for studies in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The main constituents of flaxseed include lipids, proteins, lignans, fibers, and minerals. Flaxseed is rich in antioxidants such as tocopherols, beta-carotene, cysteine, and methionine, which result in a decrease in blood pressure, heart disease, hepatic and neurological disorders, and increased insulin sensitivity. Flaxseed is commonly used for its antidiabetic and anticancer activities and is also beneficial for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, urological, and reproductive disorders. Because of these beneficial effects, it is recognized as a medicinal plant.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a laboratory study, flaxseed produced the most short-chain fatty acids during fermentation of stool samples.
Aim of the study: To determine the fermentation capacity of gut microbiomes with diverse plant carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) repertoires, we collected fecal samples from 18 healthy adults who reported consuming at least 5 different fruits and vegetables daily and conducted shotgun metagenome analysis.
Results: Fermentation patterns ranged from little change to primary degradation (release of monosaccharides) to robust production of SCFAs. The abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, Butyricicoccaceae, and Ruminococcaceae correlated with the highest fermentation, while Clostridiaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Eggerthellaceae correlated with the lowest. Samples from three participants were more responsive than those from the other two. The donor-specific and fiber-specific responses seen in our study indicate that dietary guidance to consume 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day may not be enough to ensure that our gut microbiota can unlock all the benefits of fiber.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Institutes of Health, Agricultural Research Service, Leland Roy Saxon and Georgia Wood Saxon Fellowship
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
Participants18
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.