Interesting Article on Flax seed vs.oil

[Guest guest]

To anyone using flax seed in any form, this article sounds interesting--it

is from the Gerson Institute at www.gerson.org

Seems like the main point the author is making is that flax oil (high in

l-lysine) helps bolster the immune system whereas ground flax seeds (high in

l-arginine) can help suppress the immune system.

It would therefore be logical to me that for someone who suffers from

conditions that are inflammatory, namely seb derm and some rosacea symptoms,

that the ground seeds would be much better suited to treat this than the

oil, and that possibly the oil could make the conditions worse?.

Any thoughts on this? The article follows from Gerson:

Flaxseeds vs. Flax Oil - What‘s the difference?

or, Why can‘t ground flaxseeds be used instead of, or in addition to flax

oil?

(The short answer)

First of all, all seeds including flaxseeds have an important substance

within them that keeps them, well, seeds. That substance is an enzyme

inhibitor. Gerson patients particularly are working to promote vital enzyme

absorption for healing purposes.

Second, flaxseed oil is rich in the amino acid: lysine, also valuable for

healing. Ground flaxseeds on the other hand are rich in arginine (a

nonessential amino acid except during infancy when it is " essential " ).

Arginine can depress the immune system response, and this works directly

against the goal of the Gerson Therapy.

Third, flaxseed oil is a valuable carrier of Vitamin A from the carrots and

other vegetables, and in the reabsorbing of tumor masses.

Fourth, Flaxseed oil is a rich source of linoleic acids and unsaturated

fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6) essential in nutrition when used in proper

amounts.

(The long answer - by Charlotte Gerson)

We are frequently asked why patients should not use flax seeds when they are

supposed to use flax seed oil.

There are a number of reasons. Flax seeds, like all seeds and legumes, are

nature's way to preserve life for the next generation. In order for those

seeds not to sprout when conditions are not right, for instance, on a hard

floor or table, or in a sack with many more seeds, nature endows them with

an enzyme inhibitor. This preserves the seeds in a 'dormant' condition until

they are in a warm, moist soil. This enzyme inhibitor, however, also

inhibits human digestive enzymes. Therefore seeds and legumes interfere with

good digestion. Patients already have enough digestive problems; we must not

add to those, since these inhibitors tend to cause gas. That is why sailors

are said to have gas since they eat a lot of beans.

A second point is that the flax seed oil is important to carry vitamin " A "

to all the cells of the body, thus activating the immune system. However,

Vitamin " A " is fat soluble and works better with the flax seed oil as a

carrier. In order to obtain an adequate quantity of oil from the seeds, a

huge quantity would need to be consumed, along with the enzyme inhibitors.

Another reason for not using the flax seeds is that all nuts and seeds,

while they are fairly rich in proteins, contain proteins that are not in

good balance. These seed proteins are usually high in l-arginine (one of the

amino acids) and low in l-lysine (another amino acid). That is not

acceptable, this ratio should be reversed, since l-lysine stimulates the

immune system while the high l-arginine depresses the immune system.

It is very important to obtain the right amount of flax seed oil. Rather

than the seeds, the oil contains adequate amounts of the invaluable

linolenic and linoleic acids. These help to dissolve and carry off

cholesterol plaque that has formed in the arteries of virtually all people.

Thus, circulation improves and plaque clears, also preventing possible heart

attacks and/or strokes.

Some people consider flax seed oil unpalatable. It is actually very tasty

and can be used as part of the salad dressing (with vinegar or lemons) or as

a dressing for baked potatoes - after these have cooled down from excessive

heat. Never cook or bake with flax seed oil!

_________________________________________________________________

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx