I have personally included raw flaxseed as part of my diet, almost
daily, for the past 3 years, and have experienced many benefits for my
health, well-being, and vitality, aided by it.

Note: Flaxseed contains glycoside linamarin, which can release
hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) in the acidic gastric environment. In
"Pharmacist's Journal", Issue 12, 1981, a summary discussion of research
in this area concluded with the statement, "the release of hydrocyanic
acid in the stomach is a possibility but in actuality it is almost
impossible for it to happen."

What follows is a partial list of some of the scientifically-studied
health benefits of raw flaxseed consumption:


    Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) , an antioxidant in flaxseed,
    is metabolized in the body and these metabolites have antioxidant
    activity which are even more potent than SDG. The effectiveness of
    SDG in hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis, diabetes, and endotoxic
    shock could be due to these metabolites. (Prasad K, Int. J. Angiol,
    9(4): 220, 2000)


    Flaxseed and its lignan secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG)
    inhibit mammary tumor development in rats. Increased plasma
    insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations are associated
    with increased breast cancer risk. The anticancer effect of flaxseed
    and SDG may be related, in part, to reductions in plasma IGF-I.
    (Rickard S, et al, Cancer Lett, 8; 161(1): 47, 2000)


    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the
    development of diabetes mellitus. SDG isolated from flaxseed is an
    antioxidant. An investigation was made of the effects of SDG on the
    development of diabetes in rat, to determine if SDG can
    prevent/reduce the development of diabetes and if this
    prevention/reduction is associated with reduction in oxidative
    stress. RESULTS: SDG prevented the development of diabetes by 75%.
    (Prasad K, et a, Mol Cell Biochem, 206(1-2): 141, 2000; Prasad K,
    Mol Cell Biochem, 209(1-2): 89, 2000)


    Flaxseed SDG may have a therapeutic role in lupus nephritis . (Clark
    W, et al Lupus, 9(6): 429, 2000)


    Dietary estrogens, such as lignan-rich flaxseed , are similar in
    structure to endogenous sex steroid hormones and act in vivo to
    alter hormone metabolism and reduce subsequent cancer risk in
    postmenopausal women. (Hutchins A, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev,
    9(10): 1113, 2000)


    Asian men have much lower incidences of prostate cancer and possibly
    of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than their Western
    counterparts. Plant lignans give rise to the mammalian lignans,
    enterodiol and enterolactone; the richest source is linseed (
    flaxseed ). In addition to their oestrogenic activity, these plant
    compounds can interfere with steroid metabolism and bioavailability,
    and also inhibit enzymes, such as tyrosine kinase and topoisomerase,
    which are crucial to cellular proliferation and hence may contribute
    to lower incidences of prostate cancer. (Eur Urol, 35(5-6): 377, 1999)


    Flaxseed ingestion produces large amounts of mammalian lignans with
    weak estrogenic/anti-estrogenic properties reduced adult relative
    prostate weight and cell proliferation, suggesting potential
    protection against prostatic disease, without affecting sex hormone
    levels. (Tou J, et al, J Toxicol Environ Health, 56(8): 555, 1999)


    SDG is a plant lignan isolated from flaxseed. Lignans are
    platelet-activating factor-receptor antagonists that inhibit the
    production of oxygen radicals by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. SDG
    is an antioxidant. Antioxidants studied thus far are known to reduce
    hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Research suggests that SDG
    reduces hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and that this effect is
    associated with a decrease in serum cholesterol, LDL-C, and lipid
    peroxidation product and an increase in HDL-C and antioxidant
    reserve. (Prasad K, Circulation, 99(10): 1355, 1999)


    Phytoestrogens are diphenolic compounds that are present in several
    plants eaten by human beings. Flaxseed is a particularly abundant
    source of phytoestrogens. When ingested in relatively large amounts,
    phytoestrogens have been shown to have significant estrogen
    agonists/antagonists effects in animals and humans. There is
    epidemiological, laboratory and clinical evidence which indicates
    that phytoestrogens, like certain selective estrogen receptor
    modulators, have an antiproliferative effect on the breast, and
    positive effects on the lipoprotein profile and bone density. They
    might also improve some of the climacteric symptoms. (Brzezinski A &
    Debi A, Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 85(1): 47, 1999)


    The antioxidant activities of the flaxseed lignan
    secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) and its mammalian lignan
    metabolites, enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL), were evaluated
    in both lipid and aqueous in vitro model systems. All three lignans
    significantly (p < or = 0.05) inhibited the linoleic acid
    peroxidation at both 10 and 100 microM over a 24-48 h of incubation
    at 40 degrees C. The efficacy of SDG and particularly the mammalian
    lignans ED and EL to act as antioxidants in lipid and aqueous in
    vitro model systems, at relatively low concentrations (i.e. 100
    microM), potentially achievable in vivo, is an evidence of a
    potential anticarcinogenic mechanism of flaxseed lignan SDG and its
    mammalian metabolites ED and EL. (Kitts D, et al, Mol Cell Biochem,
    202(1-2): 91, 1999)


    Flaxseed, the richest known source of plant lignans , has been shown
    to have chemo-protective effects in animal and cell studies. Some of
    its effects may be mediated through its influence on endogenous
    hormone production and metabolism. Flaxseed supplementation
    significantly increased urinary 2-OHEstrogen excretion (p < 0.0005)
    and the urinary 2/16 alpha-OHE1 ratio (p < 0.05) in a linear,
    dose-response fashion. These results suggest that flaxseed may have
    chemo-protective effects in postmenopausal women. (Haggans C, et al,
    Nutr Cancer, 33(2): 188, 1999)

Flaxseed is high in secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), the
precursor of mammalian lignans, which can affect mammary gland
structures. Lifetime or gestation and lactation exposure to 5 or 10%
flaxseed induce structural changes in the mammary gland that may
potentially reduce mammary cancer risk. (Tou J & Thompson L,
Carcinogenesis, 20(9): 1831, 1999)

Flaxseed and SDG, regardless of dose, appeared to delay the progression
of MNU-induced mammary tumorigenesis. (Rickard S, et al, Nutr Cancer;
35(1): 50, 1999)

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed or its lignan SDG has reduced
induced mammary tumor size and number in rats. There was a
dose-dependent effect of SDG on tumor multiplicity, lowest in the HSDG
group (high SDG 5%) and highest in the LSDG (low SDG 2.5%) group
throughout treatment, indicating that HSDG inhibited, whereas LSDG
promoted, MNU-induced mammary tumor development. Tumor invasiveness and
grade were decreased in all treatment groups compared with the BD (basal
diet). Flaxseed and SDG treatment, regardless of dose, appeared to delay
the progression of MNU-induced mammary tumorigenesis. (Rickard S, et al,
Nutr Cancer; 35(1): 50, 1999)

Because flaxseed and its lignans are colon cancer protective , it is
concluded that, in contrast to other studies, beta-glucuronidase
activity may play a beneficial role in their presence by increasing
mammalian lignan absorption and enterohepatic circulation.(Jenab M, et
al, Nutr Cancer, 33(2): 154, 1999)

Flax seed is the richest source of omega-3 fatty acid and lignans.
Omega-3 Fatty acid suppresses the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1),
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and of OFRs by
polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and monocytes. Lignans possess
anti-platelet activating factor (PAF) activity and are antioxidant .
PAF, IL-1, TNF and LTB4 are known to stimulate PMNLs to produce OFRs.
Flaxseed would, therefore, reduce the levels of OFRs and hence would
prevent the development of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. In
rabbits, flax seed reduced the development of aortic atherosclerosis by
46% and reduced the PMNL-CL without significantly lowering the serum
cholesterol. Flax seed in normocholesterolemic rabbits increased serum
total cholesterol and decreased PMNL-CL without significantly affecting
the serum TG. Modest dietary flax seed supplementation is effective in
reducing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis markedly without lowering
serum cholesterol. Its effectiveness against hypercholesterolemic
atherosclerosis could be due to suppression of enhanced production of
OFRs by PMNLs in hypercholesterolemia. Dietary flax seed supplementation
could, therefore, prevent hypercholesterolemia-related heart attack and
strokes. (Ogborn M, et al, Kidney Int 55(2): 417, 1999)

Dietary supplementation with secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), a
lignan precursor isolated from flaxseed, significantly reduced pulmonary
metastasis of melanoma cells and inhibited the growth of metastatic
tumors that formed in the lungs.(Li D, et al, Cancer Lett, 142(1): 91, 1999)

Flaxseed, the richest source of lignans reduces metastasis and inhibits
the growth of the metastatic secondary tumors in animals. Flaxseed may
be a useful nutritional adjuvant to prevent melanoma metastasis in
cancer patients. (Yan L, et al, Cancer Lett, 124(2): 181, 1998)

Flaxseed contains lignans that have antioxidant activites and inhibit
platelet-activating factor (PAF). Pretreatment with flaxseed attenuated
endotoxin induced cardiac dysfunction and cellular damage. Flaxseed
antioxidant and anti-PAF agents may be effective in the treatment of ET
shock. (Pattanaik U & Prasad K, J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther, 3(4): 305,
1998)

Ground flaxseed modulated inflammatory response, but did not prevent
macrophages from killing bacteria (Babu U et al, (Food And Drug
Administration), Experimental Biology 94, Parts I And II : April 1994,
Faseb Journal, 1994); (Babu U, et al, Life Sci, V 60:545, 1997)

The mammalian lignans enterolactone (EL) and enterodiol (ED) derived
from precursors in foods, particularly flaxseed, have been shown to
reduce the mammary tumor growth due to their antiestrogenic properties.
Lignans are growth inhibitors of colon tumor cells and they may act
through mechanism(s) other than antiestrogenic activity. (Sung M, et al,
Anticancer Res 18(3A: 1405, 1998)

Flaxseed and its mammalian lignan precursor SDG have been shown to be
mammary cancer-protective in rats. The anti-estrogenic effects of
flaxseed and SDG were compared with tamoxifen, an antiestrogen , by
monitoring rat estrous cycling. Four-week supplementation of a high-fat
diet with flaxseed (2.5-10%) or SDG (0.75, 1.5 or 3.0 mg/day) produced a
dose-related cessation or lengthening (by 18-39%) of estrous cycles in
up to 66% of rats. With tamoxifen (1 mg/kg body weight/day), 83% of the
animals had irregular cycles or were in persistent diestrus. Flaxseed
and SDG were anti-estrogenic without gross tissue toxicity. (Orcheson L,
Cancer Lett, 125(1-2): 69, 1998)

Flax seed is the richest source of omega-3 fatty acid and lignans.
Omega-3 fatty acid suppresses the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1),
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and of OFRs by
polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and monocytes. Lignans possess
anti-platelet activating factor (PAF) activity and are antioxidant. PAF,
IL-1, TNF and LTB4 are known to stimulate PMNLs to produce OFRs.
Flaxseed would, therefore, reduce the levels of OFRs and hence would
prevent the development of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Flax
seed reduced the development of aortic atherosclerosis by 46% and
reduced the PMNL-CL without significantly lowering the serum
cholesterol. Modest dietary flax seed supplementation is effective in
reducing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis markedly without lowering
serum cholesterol. Dietary flax seed supplementation could, therefore,
prevent hypercholesterolemia-related heart attack and strokes . (Prasad
K, Atherosclerosis, 132(1): 69, 1997)

Flaxseed, the richest source of mammalian lignan precursors , such as
secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SD), has been shown over the short
term to decrease some early markers of colon cancer risk. This study
determined that flaxseed has a colon cancer protective effect, that it
is due, in part, to SD and that the protective effect of flaxseed is
associated with increased beta-glucuronidase activity. (Jenab M &
Thompson L, Carcinogenesis, 17:1343, 1996)

Flaxseed, a rich source of mammalian lignan precursor
secoisolariciresinol-diglycoside (SD) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA),
has been shown to be protective at the early promotion stage of
carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the SD lignans in flaxseed appears to be
beneficial throughout the promotional phase of carcinogenesis whereas
the oil component is more effective at the stage when tumors have
already been established.   (Thompson L, et al, Carcinogenesis, 17:1373,
1996)

Secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SD), a mammalian lignan precursor
found inflaxseed and tested foreffects on mammary tumorigenesis,
resulted in a 37% reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of tumors per
tumor-bearing rat and a 46% reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of tumors
per number of rats in each group. This study showed, for the first time,
that SD has an antitumor effect when provided at the early promotion
stage of tumorigenesis. (Thompson L, et al, Nutr Cancer, 26:159, 1996)

Flaxseed 18-3 (n-3) alpha-linoleic acid showed a marked immunomodulatory
effect on the exhaustive exercise-related immunosuppression, as compared
to the effects of other PUFA. (Benquet C, et al, J Toxicol Environ
Health, 43: 225, 1994)

Flaxseed lignans have antitumor, antimitotic, antioxidant and weak
estrogenic activities, are potentially the richest source of
phytoestrogens in the human diet and may be linked to a low incidence of
breast and colon cancer. Secoisolariciresinol was discovered to be a
very potent antioxidant similar to BHA. No toxicity was found in the
lignans. (Obermeyer W, et al  (US Food and Drug Administration, Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Div. Contaminants Chem., Natural
Products Branch), Meeting Of The Federation Of American Societies For
Experimental Biology On Experimental Biology March/April, 1993, Faseb J
(Fed Am Soc Exp Biol), A863, 1993)

Flaxseed ingestion produces potentially anticarcinogenic lignans in the
colon. This study determined that flaxseed decreases the risk for colon
carcinogenesis. In the descending colon of supplemented groups, the
total number of aberrant crypts and foci were significantly reduced by
41-53% and 48-57%, respectively. Flaxseed may reduce the risk for colon
carcinogenesis. (Serraino M & Thompson L, Cancer Lett, 63:159, 1992)

Vitamin E-deficient diets containing 5 to 20% ground flaxseed protected
mice against the malarial parasite Plasmodium voelii as shown by
decreased parasitemia and enhanced survival. (Levander O, et al,
(USDA/ARS Human Nutrition Research Center, Vitamin Mineral Nutrition
Laboratory), Nutrition Research, 11, 1991)

Since lignans have been suggested to have some cancer-protective
effects, flaxseed, the most abundant source of lignan precursors , was
tested for its effect on early markers of risk for mammary
carcinogenesis. Supplementation of a high-fat diet with flaxseed flour
(FF) or defatted flaxseed meal (FM) (5% or 10%) reduced the epithelial
cell proliferation by 38.8-55.4% and nuclear aberrations by 58.8-65.9%
in female rat mammary gland, with optimum effects seen with the 5% FF.
These protective effects were accompanied by increases in urinary lignan
excretion indicating that they may be related to the ability of flaxseed
to provide lignan precursors. (Serraino M & Thompson L, Cancer Lett,
60:135, 1991)