Flax Seed Lowers Blood Pressure
Steven Acocella, M.S., D.C., DACBN
More supportive research on the benefits of flax seed in our diets has recently been published. Researchers concluded in a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods that flaxseeds contain amino acids that may help lower blood pressure. The study is a bit complicated, but scientists determined a protein in flaxseed meal acts as an ACE-inhibitor, lowering blood pressure and reducing angiotensin.
Angiotensin causes blood vessels to contract and induces hypertension. Researchers noted that these proteins have beneficial effects in the kidneys that may also help lower blood pressure; Food Navigator reports.
Flaxseeds are potent sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids are great sources of iron, zinc, calcium, protein, magnesium, vitamin E and folate, all potent disease-fighters, but flaxseed oil may not be nearly as healthy. According to Dr. Fuhrman of Eat Right America, flaxseed oil is nothing but fat and devoid of all the nutrients that make flaxseed so good. In related news, previous research has shown salt decreases levels of nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme that reduces blood pressure and all that high blood pressure makes it hard for kids to think.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Can you explain more on this and perhaps write about all the food that are known to lower blood pressure?
Thanks,
May L.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
Very cool guys…now I KNOW why salt lower BP! You should call your site things your doctor never tells you (and should).
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 am
Don’t be taken in by these loons with a hidden vegan agenda…I have been on the Atkins Diet for over 2 years and my salt intake had GONE UP and my BP is fine…it’s all about PETA with this folks so don’t be fooled.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:55 am
Nathan: First and foremost, this is a very eclectic site that by it’s nature has no hidden agenda, including a vegan or animal rights agenda - we come from a place of science and do, at times state our opinions about that science (but we do care about animals). Our mission statement is our credo and clearly prohibits us from filtering out articles or comments that are contrary to a specific scientific camp. We invite healthy debate.
The very fact that our moderators posted your comment should prove that we stand behind our philosophy of providing diverse view points. By design, we have literally hundreds of nutrition professionals contributing material and by default we will be presenting all the science, including the data and information that may be contradictory.
We invite you to post any peer-reviewed, credible studies that you believe support your opinions. Please use the “Contact Us” page tab and we’ll review it.
We thank you for your comment.
NutritionWire.org
April 4th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Hi NutritionWire…nice site…I am a new subscriber…I was wondering if anyone know anything about “Fortified Flax Seed Oil”? I have been taking this for about a year and it’s expensive and I was told to take it by a supposed nutritionist that was selling it at the mall…I did read that it’s supposed to be good stuff but now this article says the oil is not as good as the regular stuff…is this oil snake oil for real and did I get hood-winked?
By the way…it’s nice to know that there is a watch dog group that maintains professional standards for Doctors to call themselves Nutrition Experts as I have never heard of this DABSN degree before reading this site. I may contact one of the providers.
Thanks for your ideas on this.
Mike Glasic
May 20th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
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