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Beneficial Effects of Flaxseed Oil (n-3 Fatty Acids) on Neurological Disorders

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Phytochemicals, Signal Transduction, and Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Flaxseeds are not only the richest plant source of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) and the phytohormone lignans, but also an essential source of high-quality protein and dietary fiber. Whole flaxseed contains 41 % oil by weight, of which 70 % is polyunsaturated; more than half of the total fatty acid is ALA (Fig. 3.1) (Bhatty 1995). ALA is also found in soybeans, rapeseed, walnuts, and dark green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts). Potential health benefits of flaxseeds for cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and cancer are related to high ALA contents, vegetable protein, soluble fiber, and flavonoids and related compounds, which may not only possess cholesterol-lowering, hyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties, but may also produce sex hormone agonistic and antagonistic activities (de Lorgeril et al. 1994; Jenkins et al. 1999). Flaxseed lignans also promote the reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevates serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. ALA in flaxseed oil does not have antioxidant activity except it suppresses oxygen radical production by white blood cells. In cardiovascular system, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil have variable effects on inflammatory mediators/markers (interleukin, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid protein). Although doses of ALA less than 14 g/d do not affect inflammatory mediators/markers, 14 g/d or greater reduce inflammatory mediators/markers. ALA in flaxseed oil decreases soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 but has no effect on soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble E-selectin, and monocyte colony-stimulating factor. ALA in flaxseeds has a very small hypotensive effect, but it does not lower blood pressure. However, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), a component of flaxseed oil, is a very potent hypotensive agent. Flaxseed oil also decreases platelet aggregation and increases platelet activating inhibitor-1 and bleeding time. A meta-analysis of observational studies indicates that increased consumption of ALA may reduce coronary heart disease mortality by 21 % (Brouwer et al. 2004). In the Lyon Diet Heart Study, a randomized controlled trial in coronary patients, consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet that included an additional daily intake of roughly 1 g of ALA significantly reduces the risk of cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction by more than 60 % (Lorgeril et al. 1994). This study, however, was not specifically designed to assess the effect of ALA supplementation, and many dietary factors were included, which differed between the experimental and control group. Collective evidence suggests that ALA status has been inversely associated with cardiovascular disease events, although data are less consistent than for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The biologic mechanisms of ALA action may include platelet function, inflammation, endothelial cell function, arterial compliance, and arrhythmia.

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  1. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Akhlaq A. Farooqui

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Farooqui, A.A. (2013). Beneficial Effects of Flaxseed Oil (n-3 Fatty Acids) on Neurological Disorders. In: Phytochemicals, Signal Transduction, and Neurological Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3804-5_3

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