A physician should always supervise treatment of serious forms of depression. More than half of the fat in flaxseed is an omega-3 fatty acid, and therefore it has some properties in common with fish oil . Flaxseed is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Most of the soluble fiber in flaxseed is mucilage. The soluble fiber is associated with a cholesterol lowering effect.
Insoluble fiber is useful as a bulk laxative and in the prevention of constipation.
The insoluble fiber has the tendency to hold water, softening the stool and allowing it to move through the colon more quickly. Flaxseed should be taken with ample fluids in order to prevent constipation or blockage of the intestine. Flaxseed also contains lignans. Bacteria in the digestive tract metabolize lignans into hormone-like substances. These compounds possess estrogenic , antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidative properties and may be capable of blocking the action of certain cancer-causing substances in the body.