posted
If I am not mistaken Dr. B recommends no flax seed for lyme patients. Does anyone know why? Or am just making this up from faulty memory? Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10206 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
tailz
Unregistered
posted
I have no idea, but holy cow, I was eating flaxseed there for awhile, and it made my symptoms much worse. I can't tolerate the flaxseed oil either.
I have problems with cod liver oil and a blood-proven egg allergy. So much for my Omega 3's.
posted
You are not mistaken hiker53 Dr. B does say NO flax seed but I don't know why either.
Posts: 142 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I'm going off memory from a couple years ago.
But I'm pretty sure I remember Dr. B answering a question about this at a conference, and saying that whole flax seed is ok. There was something in the processing of either flax seed oil or supplements that made it bad for Lymies.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
clairenotes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10392
posted
I don't have information from a lyme perspective or LLMD, but two previous health practitioners both felt that flax seed is hard for some people to digest, and therefore, not the best source for omega 3's (I think that is what flax seed/oil is most used for).
When I used to have terrible GI issues, which I am sure was caused by undiscovered lyme, this was definately not a good choice for me. I do remember feeling worse with it also.
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't have the flax answer, but I do know that unless you injest the oil or GROUND flax hulls and pulps then you're not getting much benefit or intake of Omegas. So, if Dr. B,say's it's okay to eat the seeds whole, skip it. find another source of Omega's.
BT
Posts: 299 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
I use ground flax seeds 2 times a day & hope this isn't ture. I think it helps me & is good in fiber content as well...I always though it was flax oil that isn't reccomended, because it has short shelf life & can become rancid?
hoping someone has some more info on this
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you want to use freshly ground Flax, I would premix it with some Yogurt in order to nuetralize the toxin in it. It's the same principle that should be used with all grains in order to neutralize the protective enzymes and Phytic acid that is in them. Flax seeds can also bind to abx making them less effective, so it should be used away from drugs. This is what Bruce Fife says about it:
"Flaxseed meal can be added to any baked or cooked dish;breads, muffins, pancakes, casseroles, etc. You should not eat it raw! Raw flaxseed contains a toxin called thio-cyanate & emdash;a cyanide-like compound. This toxin can be found in the blood after eating raw flaxseed. Cooking neutralizes this compound, making it harmless.45,46 By far the best way to eat flaxseed oil is in its natural state by grinding the seed into meal and adding it to a cooked dish."
Dr B doesn't mention Flax oil or Flax seeds in his guidelines. This is what he says:
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS: (required) "Studies show that when EFAs are taken regularly, statistically significant improvements in fatigue, aches weakness, vertigo, dizziness, memory, concentration and depression are likely. There are two broad classes: GLA (omega-6 oils) and EPA (omega-3 oils), derived respectively from plant and fish oils. This is what to take: Plant Oil: Use a refrigerated product of mixed omega oils (This could include Flax oil) obtained from the local health food store. Take one to two tablespoons daily. May be mixed with food, put on salads, etc. Fish Oil: Use ``Marine Omega'' by Pharmanex. Use four daily, taken on a full stomach (this brand is required)."
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
Flax seed can totally block your thyroid function - Therefore as many lyme patients are under acive (low Thyroid) it wail make the situation worse.
In a serious case it can actually cause myxoedema madness - This is a feature of hypothyroidism - Features include agitation, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.
Posts: 1172 | From UK | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
What about Chia seeds? Does anyone have any info about them? I eat a nutrition bar with Chia seeds in them almost every day, and I've been told they are somewhat similar to flax seeds.
Posts: 443 | From The Wild West | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Micul, It appears that there are different guidelines. Here he emphatically states NOT to use flaxseed oil!
Hiker I was just searching around for the answer to this when you posted the question. I wonder if we'll ever know. And did he change his thinking on this?
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (required)
Studies show that when EFAs are taken regularly, statistically significant improvements in fatigue, aches weakness, vertigo, dizziness, memory, concentration and depression are likely. There are two broad classes: GLA (omega-6 oils) and EPA (omega-3 oils), derived respectively from plant and fish oils. This is what to take:
Plant Oils: borage oil, evening primrose oil, or black currant seed oil (choose one). Do NOT use Flax seed oil!
Fish Oil: Omega-3 (Fish Oil) capsules, 1000 mg per capsule. Use ``Optimum Omega'' by Pharmanex, if a higher quality product is desired, or to minimize the ``fishy'' aftertaste.
RECOMMENDATION: four plant oil capsules and four fish oil capsules daily, taken with meals. Continue for three to four months then try to taper down the dose
Posts: 465 | From New York, NY | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
butchieboo
Unregistered
posted
This is what I have on my Dr. B's protocol page 33 of 40.
Plan Oil; Use "Barlean's Omega Twin"- This is a refrigerated product obtained from the local health food store. Take on to two tablespoons daily. May be mixed with food, put on salads, etc.
Fish Oil: Use "Marine Omega" by Pharmanex. Use fur daily, taken on full stomach.
This is from the 2005 edition. It makes no mention pro or con to flaxseed.
northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
Flax in excess is supposed to interfere with uptake of iodine by the thyroid. So, caution is recommended if hypothyroid is an issue.
If you google flax thyroid or flax hypothyroid, there is plenty of information.
The sites that state the precaution say to take only 2-3 tablespoons of flax seed per day if there are thyroid issues. They also say the seeds have to be ground to release the goodies inside.
They did not provide an equivalent dose for the oil, so I use Burrascano recommendations.
The precautions are always stated as "excess" flax, not a small amount.
The amazing thing I also read, is the problem with soy interfering with thyroid. Soy is excessively used in U.S. for vegetarian meats, and drinks. The fermented soy, natto, does not have the same precaution. Apparently it is quite "odoriferous". They also state that Asians do not use soy as much as Westerners do.
Google soy thyroid or soy hypothyroid for more details.
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hmmm I use ground flax and whey powder together as a sub for flour when I make muffins. I also use ground flax, unprocessed wheat bran, and whey powder as a hot cereal. It is always cooked when I eat it.
I've been eating it for years both before I knew I had Lyme and started treatment and since. I am getting better.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
My LLMD specifically told me to get a tablespoon of ground flaxseed a day.
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
My ND told me to stop flax seed oil because it depresses the immune system. She mentioned a study but I can't find anything convincing on the internet. Anyway, I stopped on her advice. She did not mention the whole flax seed so I don't know if that is also a problem.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
Vanilla
Unregistered
posted
I did a natural foods supplement show once in Southern Calif. when I worked in the supplement industry. The people in the booth next to us sold flax and seemed to know a lot about it. They said not to eat it whole meaning you must grind it and to grind it fresh every time. Before you grind and eat it store the whole flax seed in the refrigerator.
They said heating it as in baking bread with it etc. kills the good nutrients in the flax.
IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic