Joana R. Campos , Patricia Severino, Classius S. Ferreira, Aleksandra Zielinska, Antonello Santini, Selma B. Souto and Eliana B. Souto* Pages 4537 - 4558 ( 22 )
Linseed - also known as flaxseed - is known for its beneficial effects on animal health attributed to its composition. Linseed comprises linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids, various dietary fibers and lignans, which are beneficial to health because they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, decreasing the levels of cholesterol and relaxing the smooth muscle cells in arteries increasing the blood flow. Essential fatty acids from flax participate in several metabolic processes of the cell, not only as structuring components of the cell membrane but also as storage lipids. Flax, being considered a functional food, can be consumed in a variety of ways, including seeds, oil or flour, contributing to basic nutrition. Several formulations containing flax are available on the market in the form of e.g. capsules and microencapsulated powders having potential as nutraceuticals. This paper revises the different lipid classes found in flaxseeds and their genomics. It also discusses the beneficial effects of flax and flaxseed oil and their biological advantages as ingredients in pharmaceuticals and in nutraceuticals products.
Linseed, flaxseed, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, essential fatty acids, linseed essential oil.
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Polo das Ciencias da Saude, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Biotechnology Industrial Program, Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine (LNMed), University of Tiradentes, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, 49010-390 Aracaju, Sergipe, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Diadema, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Polo das Ciencias da Saude, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Department of Pharmacy, Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Department of Endocrinology, Braga Hospital, Sete Fontes, 4710-243 Sao Victor Braga, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Polo das Ciencias da Saude, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra