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| Flaxseed |
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Review
Summary |
 Flaxseed is a whole grain derivative touted by some to offer some of the following health benefits: reducing LDL cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The substance is commonly sprinkled on baked foods, such as bread, and found in certain fish. It may be purchased at various health food depots and select supermarkets.
For some time now, doctors have been prescribing medication to people with high levels of cholesterol, especially LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. However, the potential adverse side effects have led many to seek out safer, all-natural sources to regulate the level of cholesterol in the blood. We will take a closer look at the substance in question to see how effective it may be.
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| Ingredients at a Glance |
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Flaxseed is said to be comprised of omega-3 fatty acid, a substance commonly found in certain fish, such as salmon, and large amounts of lignin, which supplies the body with fiber. These two agents may be the principal reasons why some researchers have deemed Flaxseed as possibly offering some degree of cholesterol regulatory support.
According to some online sources, studies may have shown that the substance may decrease cholesterol levels by up to 6 percent when consumed consistently in substantial amounts (38 grams daily) for up to four weeks. Some of the other purported advantages may include improved bowel function, heightened mental performance and even possible prevention of breast and prostate cancer.
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| Ingredients in Focus |
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Thanks to modern innovations, we may not need to eat large quantities of fish every day to obtain substantial amounts of Flaxseed in our diet. It may be available as a capsule-based supplement sold on the shelves of many health retailers. Unfortunately, many people who use the supplement form have complained of a “fishy” burp after taking the capsules.
Although this naturally occurring ingredient may provide some health benefits, we believe it may not be the best option available for lowering LDL levels. Some naturally derived ingredients, such as Phytosterols, are hailed because in some cases it may reduce cholesterol absorption in the body by up to 40 percent. This would appear to be far superior to the 6 percent cap typically associated with Flaxseed.
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| Lifestyle |
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We believe that an elevated cholesterol level is a serious issue, especially because it may cause complex heart and blood vessel complications. Some statistics suggest that cardiovascular disease may be the leading cause of deaths in the United States at time of review. We believe sensible shoppers should not settle for anything less than the safest and most superior products available.
Not all manufacturers produce the same supplement, even though they may advertise the same ingredients. As mentioned above, Phytosterols may edge out Flaxseed in certain key respects. But, in general, people should depend on reputable industry sources. We find distinguished companies in this category usually have had their ingredients approved by the FDA.
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| Positives |
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• May be a natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering medications
• May be manufactured in capsule form
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| Negatives |
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• Customer reviews may be limited and inconclusive at this time
• Supplements may cause “fishy” breath
• May not be as effective in lowering cholesterol as Phytosterols
• Excessive consumption may cause intestinal blockage for some individuals
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| Final Thoughts |
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We are able to find a good deal of data on the subject of Flaxseed on a number of related Websites. However, customer reviews are difficult to come by, and, for the most part, inconclusive. Our estimation is that the substance may be worth a look for overall health, but cholesterol reduction may be a secondary benefit, if anything at all.
Normally, Flaxseed is thought to be well-tolerated by the body. But because of its high fiber content, when consumed in large amounts, Flaxseed may cause constipation, or in some cases intestinal blockage. Furthermore, it may be contraindicated with the use of certain medications taken by mouth, because it may decrease the drug’s effects – unlike the side-effect-free Phytosterols.
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| Our
Reader's Poll Top Choice: |
Week
of: Tue Jan 06th, 2009 |
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CholesterClear®:
CholesterClear® -
Imagine lowering your Cholesterol levels while still being able to eat the foods you love. CholesterClear® is an awesome product which literally blocks the bad cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. It does this naturally and safely because it contains certified organic highly concentrated plant sterols which have been clinically proven to effectively block 42% of the cholesterol in your food from being digested. This substance has been approved by the FDA and American Medical Association as being effective in lowering and preventing high Cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. With over 1200 published studies declaring it works, how can you go wrong with this? Prescriptions that fight Cholesterol levels also have some ugly negative side effects associated with them – so we recommend checking this product out because it has no side effects what-so-ever. Click Here to read our full review. |
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