Re: Re: FW: Flaxseed Caution

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also neuropathy.

----- Original Message -----

From: Leisa Hiatt

Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 10:36 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: FW: Flaxseed Caution

Raw Flax coverts to SCN Page 150 of The Omego Diet, Artemis Simopoulos, M.D., cautions against eating more than 3 to 4 tbls of raw flaxseeds/meal a day. It says "Flaxseeds, like lima and cassava beans, contain a chemical called cyanogen that your body converts into another chemical called thiocyanate (SCN). If you have high amounts of SCN in your blood for long periods of time, it can keep your thyroid gland from taking up enough iodine, increasing your risk of goiter. Cyanogen is inactivated during cooking, however, even if the flaxseeds are added to baked goods such as cookies or muffins that are cooked for only 12 to 15 minutes. Flaxseed oil does not contain cyanogen. I do not know anything about SCN, maybe some of our techies do. Just thought I would pass along info. I personally substitute 2 tbls of flaxmeal for 2 tbls wheat flour in every baked good. Leisa