title: Flaxseed - a miraculous defense against some critical maladies.
abstract: Presence of omega-3, omega-6 rich oil, alpha-linoleic acid, dietary fibers, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, protein and minerals in flaxseed constitute a very strong basis for the utilization of flaxseed in various food preparations as a curative agent. An extensive body of literature illustrates that flaxseed has gained a significant position in the domain of nutritional sciences owing to its pivotal role as an antioxidant agent. The review discusses at length, numerous health benefits of flaxseed typically focusing its preventive role against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and enhancement of spatial memory. Massive increase in the size of population with a special emphasize to the developing countries, there is an urge for exploration of the alternative dietary resources that can meet the dietary and nutritional needs of forthcoming generations. With respect to its remarkable nutritional importance, the review in question enables researchers engaged in nutritional sciences to further investigate the therapeutic value of flaxseed functional components and their dietary application in various food products and availability in processed foods as well as in the human cell line.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. saeedbzu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D019597:Flax; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055951:Functional Food; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations