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Linum usitatissimum, an annual plant native to the eastern Mediterranean and India and better known as flax (or linseed, several decades ago), was cultivated in ancient Egypt and Ethiopia and used for many purposes, including as an ingredient in medicine, soap, and hair products. The oil from the seeds of the plant is thought to possess significant health benefits. Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which represents more than 50% of its total fatty acid content (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5; Medical Herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press: Rochester, Vt., 2003, p. 57). In addition, flaxseeds are rich in dietary fiber and lignans, which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant properties.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties have been associated with flaxseed oil and warrant medical consideration. The substantial anti-inflammatory activity of L. usitatissimum has been ascribed to its primary active constituent, ALA (57%), which suppresses arachidonic acid metabolism, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory n-6 eicosanoids and reducing vascular permeability (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled application test in 2009, De Spirt et al. studied the cutaneous effects of supplementation with flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks in two groups of women (n = 45) aged 18-65 years with sensitive and dry skin. Fifteen women were included in each group, and 15 were randomized to a placebo control group. The placebo group received medium-chain fatty acids. The flaxseed oil included ALA and linoleic acid, and the borage oil contained linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids. ALA contributed to the significant rise in total fatty acids in plasma seen in the flaxseed oil group at weeks 6 and 12. An increase in gamma-linolenic acid was noted in the borage oil group. Erythema, roughness, and scaling were decreased in both treatment groups compared with baseline, while skin hydration was markedly elevated after 12 weeks. In addition, transepidermal water loss was diminished by 10% after 6 weeks in both oil treatment groups, with further reductions after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. The investigators concluded that intervention with dietary lipids can manifest as skin improvements (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5).
In 2010, Kaithwas and Majumdar evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of flaxseed fixed oil against castor oil–induced diarrhea, turpentine oil–induced joint edema, and formaldehyde-induced and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. They found that flaxseed oil dose-dependently inhibited the adverse effects of castor oil and turpentine oil as well as CFA, and a significant inhibitory effect was also exerted by flaxseed oil against formaldehyde-induced proliferation of global edematous arthritis. Flaxseed oil also significantly diminished the secondary lesions engendered by CFA by dint of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The authors concluded that the significant anti-inflammatory activity imparted by L. usitatissimum fixed oil suggests its therapeutic viability for inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
Recently, de Souza et al. studied the effects on skin wounds in rats of a semisolid formulation of flaxseed oil (1%, 5%, or 10%). The investigators assessed the contraction/re-epithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction in incisional and excisional models, respectively. They found that the groups treated with flaxseed oil concentrations of 1% or 5% largely started re-epithelialization earlier than the petroleum jelly control group, and achieved 100% re-epithelialization on the 14th day after injury, as compared to 33% of animals in the petroleum jelly group. The investigators concluded that flaxseed oil, at low concentrations, exhibits potential in a solid pharmaceutical preparation, for use in dermal repair (Evid. Based. Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012;2012:270752).
Early in 2012, Tülüce et al. set out to ascertain the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of flaxseed oil exerted against ultraviolet C–induced damage in rats. They divided animals into three groups: control, UVC alone, and UVC and flaxseed oil. UVC light exposure lasted for 1 hour twice daily for four weeks in the two exposure groups. In the flaxseed oil group, the oil was administered by gavage prior to each irradiation (4 mL/kg ). The investigators noted that malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were higher in the UVC group than in the controls, but such levels were reduced in the flaxseed oil group compared with the UVC-only group, in skin, lens, and sera. Also, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to be higher in the skin, lens, and sera of the flaxseed oil group as compared to the UVC-only group. In addition, retinal apoptosis was lower in the flaxseed group than in the UVC group. The researchers concluded that flaxseed oil may be useful in conferring a photoprotective effect against UVC-induced damage, as manifested in protein carbonylation and reactive oxygen species generation, in rats (Toxicol. Ind. Health. 2012;28:99-107).
Conclusion
Flaxseed oil has gained recent attention for its salutary effects as part of the diet. Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and lignans, flaxseed oil has been found to improve fatty acid profiles. Significantly, emerging evidence points to beneficial cutaneous effects derived from dietary use of flaxseed oil. However, more research is necessary to determine whether the beneficial constituents of flaxseed oil can be harnessed in topical products.
Dr. Baumann is in private practice in Miami Beach.
Linum usitatissimum, an annual plant native to the eastern Mediterranean and India and better known as flax (or linseed, several decades ago), was cultivated in ancient Egypt and Ethiopia and used for many purposes, including as an ingredient in medicine, soap, and hair products. The oil from the seeds of the plant is thought to possess significant health benefits. Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which represents more than 50% of its total fatty acid content (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5; Medical Herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press: Rochester, Vt., 2003, p. 57). In addition, flaxseeds are rich in dietary fiber and lignans, which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant properties.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties have been associated with flaxseed oil and warrant medical consideration. The substantial anti-inflammatory activity of L. usitatissimum has been ascribed to its primary active constituent, ALA (57%), which suppresses arachidonic acid metabolism, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory n-6 eicosanoids and reducing vascular permeability (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled application test in 2009, De Spirt et al. studied the cutaneous effects of supplementation with flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks in two groups of women (n = 45) aged 18-65 years with sensitive and dry skin. Fifteen women were included in each group, and 15 were randomized to a placebo control group. The placebo group received medium-chain fatty acids. The flaxseed oil included ALA and linoleic acid, and the borage oil contained linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids. ALA contributed to the significant rise in total fatty acids in plasma seen in the flaxseed oil group at weeks 6 and 12. An increase in gamma-linolenic acid was noted in the borage oil group. Erythema, roughness, and scaling were decreased in both treatment groups compared with baseline, while skin hydration was markedly elevated after 12 weeks. In addition, transepidermal water loss was diminished by 10% after 6 weeks in both oil treatment groups, with further reductions after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. The investigators concluded that intervention with dietary lipids can manifest as skin improvements (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5).
In 2010, Kaithwas and Majumdar evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of flaxseed fixed oil against castor oil–induced diarrhea, turpentine oil–induced joint edema, and formaldehyde-induced and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. They found that flaxseed oil dose-dependently inhibited the adverse effects of castor oil and turpentine oil as well as CFA, and a significant inhibitory effect was also exerted by flaxseed oil against formaldehyde-induced proliferation of global edematous arthritis. Flaxseed oil also significantly diminished the secondary lesions engendered by CFA by dint of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The authors concluded that the significant anti-inflammatory activity imparted by L. usitatissimum fixed oil suggests its therapeutic viability for inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
Recently, de Souza et al. studied the effects on skin wounds in rats of a semisolid formulation of flaxseed oil (1%, 5%, or 10%). The investigators assessed the contraction/re-epithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction in incisional and excisional models, respectively. They found that the groups treated with flaxseed oil concentrations of 1% or 5% largely started re-epithelialization earlier than the petroleum jelly control group, and achieved 100% re-epithelialization on the 14th day after injury, as compared to 33% of animals in the petroleum jelly group. The investigators concluded that flaxseed oil, at low concentrations, exhibits potential in a solid pharmaceutical preparation, for use in dermal repair (Evid. Based. Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012;2012:270752).
Early in 2012, Tülüce et al. set out to ascertain the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of flaxseed oil exerted against ultraviolet C–induced damage in rats. They divided animals into three groups: control, UVC alone, and UVC and flaxseed oil. UVC light exposure lasted for 1 hour twice daily for four weeks in the two exposure groups. In the flaxseed oil group, the oil was administered by gavage prior to each irradiation (4 mL/kg ). The investigators noted that malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were higher in the UVC group than in the controls, but such levels were reduced in the flaxseed oil group compared with the UVC-only group, in skin, lens, and sera. Also, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to be higher in the skin, lens, and sera of the flaxseed oil group as compared to the UVC-only group. In addition, retinal apoptosis was lower in the flaxseed group than in the UVC group. The researchers concluded that flaxseed oil may be useful in conferring a photoprotective effect against UVC-induced damage, as manifested in protein carbonylation and reactive oxygen species generation, in rats (Toxicol. Ind. Health. 2012;28:99-107).
Conclusion
Flaxseed oil has gained recent attention for its salutary effects as part of the diet. Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and lignans, flaxseed oil has been found to improve fatty acid profiles. Significantly, emerging evidence points to beneficial cutaneous effects derived from dietary use of flaxseed oil. However, more research is necessary to determine whether the beneficial constituents of flaxseed oil can be harnessed in topical products.
Dr. Baumann is in private practice in Miami Beach.
Linum usitatissimum, an annual plant native to the eastern Mediterranean and India and better known as flax (or linseed, several decades ago), was cultivated in ancient Egypt and Ethiopia and used for many purposes, including as an ingredient in medicine, soap, and hair products. The oil from the seeds of the plant is thought to possess significant health benefits. Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which represents more than 50% of its total fatty acid content (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5; Medical Herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press: Rochester, Vt., 2003, p. 57). In addition, flaxseeds are rich in dietary fiber and lignans, which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant properties.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties have been associated with flaxseed oil and warrant medical consideration. The substantial anti-inflammatory activity of L. usitatissimum has been ascribed to its primary active constituent, ALA (57%), which suppresses arachidonic acid metabolism, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory n-6 eicosanoids and reducing vascular permeability (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled application test in 2009, De Spirt et al. studied the cutaneous effects of supplementation with flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks in two groups of women (n = 45) aged 18-65 years with sensitive and dry skin. Fifteen women were included in each group, and 15 were randomized to a placebo control group. The placebo group received medium-chain fatty acids. The flaxseed oil included ALA and linoleic acid, and the borage oil contained linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids. ALA contributed to the significant rise in total fatty acids in plasma seen in the flaxseed oil group at weeks 6 and 12. An increase in gamma-linolenic acid was noted in the borage oil group. Erythema, roughness, and scaling were decreased in both treatment groups compared with baseline, while skin hydration was markedly elevated after 12 weeks. In addition, transepidermal water loss was diminished by 10% after 6 weeks in both oil treatment groups, with further reductions after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. The investigators concluded that intervention with dietary lipids can manifest as skin improvements (Br. J. Nutr. 2009;101:440-5).
In 2010, Kaithwas and Majumdar evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of flaxseed fixed oil against castor oil–induced diarrhea, turpentine oil–induced joint edema, and formaldehyde-induced and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. They found that flaxseed oil dose-dependently inhibited the adverse effects of castor oil and turpentine oil as well as CFA, and a significant inhibitory effect was also exerted by flaxseed oil against formaldehyde-induced proliferation of global edematous arthritis. Flaxseed oil also significantly diminished the secondary lesions engendered by CFA by dint of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The authors concluded that the significant anti-inflammatory activity imparted by L. usitatissimum fixed oil suggests its therapeutic viability for inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (Inflammopharmacology 2010;18:127-36).
Recently, de Souza et al. studied the effects on skin wounds in rats of a semisolid formulation of flaxseed oil (1%, 5%, or 10%). The investigators assessed the contraction/re-epithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction in incisional and excisional models, respectively. They found that the groups treated with flaxseed oil concentrations of 1% or 5% largely started re-epithelialization earlier than the petroleum jelly control group, and achieved 100% re-epithelialization on the 14th day after injury, as compared to 33% of animals in the petroleum jelly group. The investigators concluded that flaxseed oil, at low concentrations, exhibits potential in a solid pharmaceutical preparation, for use in dermal repair (Evid. Based. Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012;2012:270752).
Early in 2012, Tülüce et al. set out to ascertain the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of flaxseed oil exerted against ultraviolet C–induced damage in rats. They divided animals into three groups: control, UVC alone, and UVC and flaxseed oil. UVC light exposure lasted for 1 hour twice daily for four weeks in the two exposure groups. In the flaxseed oil group, the oil was administered by gavage prior to each irradiation (4 mL/kg ). The investigators noted that malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were higher in the UVC group than in the controls, but such levels were reduced in the flaxseed oil group compared with the UVC-only group, in skin, lens, and sera. Also, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to be higher in the skin, lens, and sera of the flaxseed oil group as compared to the UVC-only group. In addition, retinal apoptosis was lower in the flaxseed group than in the UVC group. The researchers concluded that flaxseed oil may be useful in conferring a photoprotective effect against UVC-induced damage, as manifested in protein carbonylation and reactive oxygen species generation, in rats (Toxicol. Ind. Health. 2012;28:99-107).
Conclusion
Flaxseed oil has gained recent attention for its salutary effects as part of the diet. Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and lignans, flaxseed oil has been found to improve fatty acid profiles. Significantly, emerging evidence points to beneficial cutaneous effects derived from dietary use of flaxseed oil. However, more research is necessary to determine whether the beneficial constituents of flaxseed oil can be harnessed in topical products.
Dr. Baumann is in private practice in Miami Beach.