and significantly improved the leptin expression in male white rabbit model.
Fukumitsu et al. (2008) studied the effect of flaxseed lignan SDG on the development of diet-induced obesity and adiponectin expression in mice and found that
flaxseed regulates adipogenesis-related gene expressions. In another study, lignanenriched flaxseed powder supplementation was found to be beneficial in the reduction of bodyweight and fat accumulation in rats (Park and Velasquez 2012). Also,
lower fat deposition was reported in the livers of both lean and obese rats fed with
flaxseed meal as compared to rats fed either on casein or soy protein diet (Bhathena
et al. 2003).
10.6.6 Treatment of Bowel Syndrome
Intestinal bowel disorder is one of the common problems causing upset of gastrointestinal tract, abdominal distension, and changes in bowel habit leading to constipation and/or diarrhea. Dietary supplementation of flaxseed can combat the bowel
syndrome. Dietary fibers are considered as a first line of treatment, and managing
intestinal bowel syndrome and adequate amount of dietary fiber is essential in the
prevention and treatment of constipation (Tarpila et al. 2005). Flaxseed is also one of
the important sources of dietary fiber in which the proportion of soluble to insoluble
dietary fiber is between 20 and 40:60 and 80 (Morris 2007a). The mechanism is
likely that soluble and insoluble fiber of flaxseed promotes the healthy intestinal
functions. Pentosans and mucilaginous matter are attributed for the laxative nature of
flaxseed (Madhusudhan 2009). Dietary fiber of flaxseed is fermented by colonic
microflora after reaching the large intestine and produces several metabolites. These
include short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), biomass, and gases such as hydrogen,
carbon dioxide, and methane all of which exhibit laxative effects (Kritchevsky
1979). These SCFA acts as major anions in the large intestine and contribute in
regulation of various colonic motilities and decrease transit time by various mechanisms (Brownlee 2011; Xu et al. 2012). Dietary fibers have bulking effect resulting
in increasing the contents of feces. Soluble fiber also increases microbial cell mass
due to its water binding capacity (Malkki 2004).
In a study on constipated mice models, at the end of 14 days, Xu et al. (2012)
observed that medium (5%) to high (10%) doses of defatted flaxseed meal
supplemented diet increased the stool frequency and weight, whereas the low
doses (2%) reduced the start time of defecation. Similarly, in another study, Tarpila
et al. (2004) observed that defatted flaxseed significantly reduced the constipation
and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
266
S. Ganguly et al.
Fukumitsu et al. (2008) studied the effect of flaxseed lignan SDG on the development of diet-induced obesity and adiponectin expression in mice and found that
flaxseed regulates adipogenesis-related gene expressions. In another study, lignanenriched flaxseed powder supplementation was found to be beneficial in the reduction of bodyweight and fat accumulation in rats (Park and Velasquez 2012). Also,
lower fat deposition was reported in the livers of both lean and obese rats fed with
flaxseed meal as compared to rats fed either on casein or soy protein diet (Bhathena
et al. 2003).
10.6.6 Treatment of Bowel Syndrome
Intestinal bowel disorder is one of the common problems causing upset of gastrointestinal tract, abdominal distension, and changes in bowel habit leading to constipation and/or diarrhea. Dietary supplementation of flaxseed can combat the bowel
syndrome. Dietary fibers are considered as a first line of treatment, and managing
intestinal bowel syndrome and adequate amount of dietary fiber is essential in the
prevention and treatment of constipation (Tarpila et al. 2005). Flaxseed is also one of
the important sources of dietary fiber in which the proportion of soluble to insoluble
dietary fiber is between 20 and 40:60 and 80 (Morris 2007a). The mechanism is
likely that soluble and insoluble fiber of flaxseed promotes the healthy intestinal
functions. Pentosans and mucilaginous matter are attributed for the laxative nature of
flaxseed (Madhusudhan 2009). Dietary fiber of flaxseed is fermented by colonic
microflora after reaching the large intestine and produces several metabolites. These
include short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), biomass, and gases such as hydrogen,
carbon dioxide, and methane all of which exhibit laxative effects (Kritchevsky
1979). These SCFA acts as major anions in the large intestine and contribute in
regulation of various colonic motilities and decrease transit time by various mechanisms (Brownlee 2011; Xu et al. 2012). Dietary fibers have bulking effect resulting
in increasing the contents of feces. Soluble fiber also increases microbial cell mass
due to its water binding capacity (Malkki 2004).
In a study on constipated mice models, at the end of 14 days, Xu et al. (2012)
observed that medium (5%) to high (10%) doses of defatted flaxseed meal
supplemented diet increased the stool frequency and weight, whereas the low
doses (2%) reduced the start time of defecation. Similarly, in another study, Tarpila
et al. (2004) observed that defatted flaxseed significantly reduced the constipation
and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
266
S. Ganguly et al.