BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS WITHIN THE WHOLESOME FLAX
Fatty acids
Linseed oil contains two fatty acids essential to the human system, alpha- linolenic acid (Omega-3) and linoleic acid (Omega-6). One must obtain these two fatty acids in his or her nutrition daily, and they are found mainly in the products of the vegetable world.Linseed oil contains particularly much (60 %) of Omega-3 fatty acid (alpha -linolenic acid) more than in any other known vegetable oil. In linseed oil the ratio of the above Omega-fatty acids (ω-3:ω-6) is 4:1.
Of all the fatty acids in linseed oil, almost 80 % are polyunsaturated and approx. 13 % monounsaturated.
Fibres
The daily fibre intake of people is still lower than the current recommendations. Crushed linseeds contain on an average 37 % dietary fibre, i.e. plentiful. Of this fibre 2/3 is insoluble and 1/3 soluble. Insoluble fibre promotes the regular movements of bowel and the entire digestive system. Soluble fibre for its part binds cholic acids in the bowel and that way increases the secretion of cholesterol into the faeces.Lignan
Crushed linseed contains lignan on an average 680 mg/kg. This is hundreds of times more than in any other cultivated plants. Lignan is a phytoestrogen which is a very effective antioxidant. In the digestive system lignan is decomposed into enterolacton. There has been research on its impacts on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and hormone-induced cancer.Amounts of lignan produced by some vegetables (μg) per 100 g Flax Soy Wheat bran Oat bran Rye Potato Carrot Onion 68 000 170 570 650 150 80 350 110
