Flaxseed and Bone Density

New animal evidence suggests that flaxseed oil may help lower the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to become porous and brittle.

Researchers in Egypt analyzed blood and urine samples from about 70 female rats, including some with diabetes and others that had their ovaries removed to simulate post-menopause. Some mice received flaxseed oil in addition to their normal diets for two months.

The researchers found that flaxseed was associated with increases in insulin-like growth factor 1 and the bone protein osteocalcin.

Additionally, rats with diabetes had higher levels of deoxypyridinoline, a marker for bone resorption, in their urine than healthy rats. Healthy bone retains deoxypyridinoline. When it is excreted in the urine, this indicates that bone is being resorbed, or broken down. However, when diabetic rats received flaxseed supplementation, deoxypyridinoline levels in the urine decreased.

Although these early findings are promising, additional research is needed to determine the potential clinical relevance of this study.

For more information about osteoporosis and bone mineral density, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

References

1.Elwassef M, Anwar M, Harvi M, et al.Impact of feeding flaxseed oil on delaying the development of osteoporosis in ovariectomised diabetic rats. International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health. 2009;2(2):
 
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