Dr. Benedict Albensi and his team say they are investigating whether locally grown flaxseed has an impact on memory. “One particular trial that we’ve been running for two years — but it’s been on hold because of COVID — is a clinical trial with flaxseed,” Albensi said. “Flaxseed has a lot of heart-healthy benefits — it lowers blood pressure and has other heart-healthy benefits, so we’re starting to think about testing it in the brain to see if it can improve memory and, in fact, to help prevent Alzheimer’s.”
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Story continues below ad The study, he said, is the only one of its kind and involves trial participants consuming a flax drink every day for six months. Trending Stories
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“We’re hoping it will improve memory and reduce some of the other markers that we associate with Alzheimer’s,” he said, “like inflammation and these other things that we can measure in blood samples. “No one in the world works with flax, and flax is an important commodity in Manitoba.” The researchers worked with Manitoba-based Pizzey Ingredients, which provides the flaxseed, and Albensi said now that they’re back up and running after a pandemic-related hiatus, he’s optimistic about the results. “Many scientists believe that we can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent with proper diet and exercise, so this is really a preventative measure. “Hopefully we will get good results” 5:28 Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2022 Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2022 – January 7, 2022 © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
