Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THERAPEUTIC AND NUTRITIVE FLAX SEED COMPOSITION
AND METHODS EMPLOYING THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTI ON
The present invention relates to a therapeutic and
nutritive flax seed composition useful to improve human
and animal health, to increase the Omega-3 content of
human and animal tissue to decrease the cholesterol
content of body tissue. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a stable dry edible flax seed
composition and an animal feed blend comprising the
flax seed composition. The present invention also
relates to a method for improving the general health
and appearance of animals, increasing the Omega-3
content of animal tissue and decreasing the cholesterol
content of animal tissue, which includes improving the
strength of animal bones, improving the general health
of animal offspring, improving the qtrength of hooves,
increasing the growth rate of animals, improving the
silkiness and sheen of animal ~ur and hide, increasing
the strength of egg shells of avians, increasing the
egg production of avians, increasinq the Ome~a-3
content in edible animal products, and decreasing the
cholesterol content of avian eggs. The present
invention further relates to a method for improving the
general health and appearance of human beings and
increasing the Omega-3 content of human tissue which
includes improving bone strength, improving the sheen
of hair and/or skin, lowering blood pressure, and
increasing the Omega-3 content of nursing mothers
milk. The present invention additionally relates to
~'
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a method of producing the stable dry edible flax seed
composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous attempts have been made to improve the
general health and appearance of humans and animals,
including improving the bone strength of humans and
animals and the silkiness of the sheen of animal fur
and hides and of human hair and skin. Attempts have
also been made to increase the Omega-3 content of
edible animal products. Most attempts at improving
bone strength, the silkiness and the sheen of hair,
fur, skin and hide, and of increasing the Omega-3
content of edible animal products have not been
entirely successful and in some cases undesirable side
effects have resulted.
Poor animal health is one of the main problems of
animal raisers and poor health amongst humans has
resulted in a 450 billion dollar human disease business
in 1986.
Weak, brittle bones have been attributed to a lack
of calcium in the diet. However in broiler chickens
even when calcium levels are optimized, approximately
one out of ten broilers has a broken leg at the time of
slaughter. In humans, it has been reported by D.M.
Hegsted (Journal of Nutrition 116:2318-2319 (1986))
that in areas of the world where calcium consumption is
highest, there are also high levels of osteoporosis and
hip fractures. Clearly calcium alone will not solve
the problem of weak bones. Accordingly, other factors
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need to be ~tudied that might be important in making
strong bones.
Further few studies have looked at Omega-3
deficiency as a possible cause of general poor health
such as weak bones, dull hair, and high blood pressure,
although Omega-3 deficiency has been linked to
cardiovascular problems and is believed to lower the
incidence of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and other
degenerative diseases ("Omega-3 Phenomenon" by Donald
Rudin, M.D. (1987) Rawson Assoc. N.Y.).
While flax seed is known to contain Omega-3, a~
linolenic acid, no reports are known to the present
inventor of attempts to use flax seed as a source for
the Omega-3 to try to improve human or animal health or
to try to increase the Omega-3 content of edible animal
products. This is probably because the prevailing view
in the art has been that raw whole flax seed contains
toxins harmful to humans as well as animals.
For example, it has been reported that flax seed
inhibits growth and is harmful to chickens, and by
inference, to humans (Schlamb, K.F., Poultry Science,
p. 1404 (1955)). Another study reported that flax
seed contains a factor called antipyridoxine factor
that is toxic to poultry (Klosterman, H.J. in a study5 presented at the Flax Institute of the U.S.A. in 1965).
Similarly, U.S. Patent 4,543,264 discloses in one
example that raw flax seed killed all of the turkey
polts to which it was fed. Thus the teaching is that
raw flax seed must be extracted with alcohol and
heated, which removes the Omega-3 containing oil from
the flax seed, before flax seed can be consumed.
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Further, in the book "Food ~or Health" (Ensminger
and Rolson (1986)) it is stated that flax seed contains
a toxic glucoside which must be detoxicated by heating
before eating.
Where flax seed has been proposed for use in
animal feed, the flax seed is processed first in order
to remove the Omega-3-containing oil.
For example, U.S. Patent 4,543,264, referred to
above, discloses feeding processed flax seed-containing
feed to cows and turkey polts. The flax seed is
processed by an alcohol method which removes the
Omega-3-containing oil from the flax seed. Further,
the control used in the turkey poult study involve~
feeding non-processed flax seed to the turkey poults.
All of the turkey poults fed non-processed flax seed
died before the trials ended.
U.S. Patent 3,246,989 discloses a fermented feed
for calves. The fermented feed contains 20-30% linseed
meal or extracted course-ground linseed. Both linseed
meal and extracted course-ground linseed, by
definition, have had the Omega-3-containing oil removed
therefrom.
Similarly, U.S. Patent S9,255 discloses animal
feed containing a small amount of oil or flax seed
meal. As mentioned above, flax seed meal is flax seed
that has been treated to remove as much
Omega-3-containing oil as possible.
U.S. Patent 949,416 discloses cattle food
consisting of 84% old processed oil meal. The patent
defines "old processed oil meal" as meal that is made
from flax seed by grinding or pressing the oil from the
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seed, instead of extracting the oil with acids. Thus,
the disclosure is that the flax-seed meal used in the
food has had as much Omega-3-containing oil as possible
removed.
Additionally, U.S. Patent 1,627,921 disclosec
animaL feed containing treated roughages. One of the
roughages can be flax plant by-product. Since flax
seed is a main product of the flax plant, the
disclosure is that flax seed would not be expected to
be part of the roughage.
More recently, it has been shown that flax seed
contains from O.1 to 0.8% cyanogenic glyco~ides
(Schilcher, H. and Wilkens-Sauter, Zietschr.
Fette-Seifen-Anstrichmittel, pp. 113-117, August 1986).
It has also been reported that this glyco~ide
(linamarin) can be split to release cyanide only in a
weakly sour environment (pH 5.5 to 6), and cannot be
split in a strongly sour environment as normally exists
in human or animal stomachs (Schilcher, H. Berlin, V.
Schulz, Koln, and A. Nissler, Herrenberg, Zietschrift
fur Phytotherapie 7:113-117 (1986)). Further, no side
effects or toxic signs were observed when humans
consumed as much as 300 grams per day of whole raw flax
seed, although no benefits were reported from
consumption of the whole raw flax seed.
Despite this observation, there still exists
drawbacks to uslng flax seed to obtain Omega-3 for
consumption, namely the rate at which extracted
linolenic acid turns rancid. When linolenic acid is
extracted from flax seed to make linseed oil paint, it
turns rancid within seconds. Rancid linseed oil is
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very unpalatable to humans and animals and is also
highly toxic to humans and animals.
SUMMARY OF THE rNVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention
is to provide a stable flax seed composition as a
source of Omega-3 in the diet.
A second object of the present invention i~ to
provide an edible source of Omega-3 for animals and
humans which is abundant and has a flavor liked by
animals and humans.
A third object of the present invention is to
provide a source of Omega-3 which costs much less than
fish.
A fourth object of the preqent invention is to
provide an animal feed containing raw flax seed which
is not toxic to the animals.
A fifth object of the present invention is to
provide a method for improving the general health and
appearance of animals, increasing the Omega-3 content
of animal tissue and decreasing the cholesterol content
of animal tissue, which includes improving the bone
strength of animals which does not depend on calcium
consumption alone, improving the general health of
animal offspring, improving the strength of hooves of
hooved animals, increasing the growth rate of animals,
improving the silkiness and the sheen of animal fur and
hides by economical and natural means, improving egg
shell strength of avians which does not depend on
calcium or vitamin D consumption, increasing the egg
production of avians, increasing the Omega-3 content of
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edible animal products such as meat and eggs so that
these product9 can themselves be further sources of
Omega-3 in the diet, and decreasing the cholesterol
content of avian eggs.
A sixth object of the present invention is to
provide a method for improving the general health and
appearance of human beings and increasing the Omega-3
content of human tissue, including improving bone
strength which does not depend on calcium consumption
alone, lowering blood pressure, and increasing the
Omega-3 content of nursing mother s milk.
These and other objects have been attained by
providing a stable dry edible flax seed composition
compri~ing ground raw flax ~eed. In a preferred
embodiment, the composition further comprises zinc
and/or vitamin B-6.
The present invention also provides an animal feed
blend comprising: (1) animal feed, and (2) the
above-described flax seed composition.
In a further embodiment, the present invention
provides a method for improving the general health and
appearance of animal~, increasing Omega-3 content of
animal tissue and decreasing the cholesterol content of
animal tissue comprising administering orally to a
subject a biologically effective amount of the
above-deqcribed flax seed composition.
In a ~till further embodiment, the present
invention provides a method for improving the general
health and appearance of human beings and increasing
Omega-3 content of human being tissue comprising
administering orally to a human being a biologically
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effective amount of the above-de9cribed flax seed
composition.
The present invention also provides a method for
producing the above-described flax seed composition
comprising grinding raw flax seed at a temperature of
from about 160F to ju 8 t above freezing. In a
preferred embodiment, this method further comprises
compounding the ground raw flax seed with zinc and/or
vitamin B-6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used herein, the term "Omega-3" refers to three
compounds: alpha linolenic acid (LNA), and its
biologically active metabolic products found only in
animal products, docosohexenoic acid (DHA) and
eicosopentenoic acid (EPA).
Also, as used herein, the phrases "animal tissue"
and "human tissue" include body tissue as well as body
fluids.
The stable dry edible flax seed composition
according to the present invention comprises ground raw
flax seed. The flax seed is ground to a size of from
about 1/10 inch to about 1/lOOO inch in diameter. A
diameter of about 1/50 to about 1/100 inch is
especially preferred.
Grinding is necessary so that Omega-3 present in
the ceed is made available to the body in the digestive
system.
The composition is then administered orally,
either by itself or mixed with suitable animal feed or
human food.
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In a preferred embodiment, the ground flax seed is
fortified with zinc and/or vitamin B-6.
The zinc can be in any form in which it is made
available to the digestive tract. For example, the zinc
can be in the form of zinc sulfate, zinc oxide or edible
mixtures containing zinc.
The vitamin B-6 can also be in any form in which it
is made available to the digestive tract. Suitable
forms of vitamin B-6 include, pure vitamin B-6, edible
mixtures containing vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-6
enriched yeast.
The amount of zinc (expressed as pure zinc) in the
flax seed composition ranges from about 1 to about 500
ppm, preferably from about 25 to about 250 ppm, and
especially preferably from about 50 to about 200 ppm.
The amount of vitamin B-6 in the flax-seed
composition ranges from about 1 ppm to about 250 ppm,
preferably from about 5 to about 150 ppm, and especially
preferably from about 10 to about 100 ppm.
In studies on animals no acute problems associated
with the cyanide found in the cyanogenic glycoside have
been observed, whether the flax was consumed in the raw
ground state and fortified with vitamin B-6 and zinc or
not. However, a slower growth rate has been observed
whenever the flax seed or the total diet is not
fortified with vitamin B-6 and/or zinc. Further, in my
U.S. Patent No. 4,857,326, issued August 15, 1989, I
disclose that research with humans indicated that
fortification with vitamin B-6 and zinc was important to
prevent chronic illnesses such as acrodemia.
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In order to grind the flax seed, any method can be
used as long as the proper size ground flax seed is
produced and as long as the temperature is maintained
at about 160F to ju 8 t above freezing in order to
prevent oxidation of the linolenic acid.
Suitable methods of grinding the flax seed can
readily be determined by those skilled in the art and
include the use of grinders such as a hammermill,
impact grinder or Alpine grinder (manufactured by
Alpine American Corporation, Natick, Massachussets).
If the ground flax seed is to be fortified with
zinc and/or vitamin B-6, the zinc and/or vitamin B-6 is
simply added to the ground flax seed and thoroughly
mixed.
The stable dry edible composition of flax seed
produced according to the method of the present
invention can be kept for six months or longer at room
temperature with no signs of rancidity, i.e. the
composition is chemically stable. This is entirely
unexpected.
Preferred storage conditions are from about -25C
to about 50C, more preferably from about -10C to
about 40C, most preferably from about -5C to 30C.
The compo~ition also is especially high in
available Omega-3 and is such that the Omega-3 is more
easily and quickly digested by the animal or human body
a~ compared to Omega-3 in dry compositions containing
whole flax seed, i.e. flax seed that has not been
ground.
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1 336~53
The present invention also provide9 an animal feedblend comprising: (1) animal feed, and (2) the
above-described stable, edible flax ~eed composition.
The animal feed blend is produced by mixing the
above-described stable, dry, edible flax seed
composition with conventional animal feed at the rate
of from about one part to about 35 parts by weight of
flax seed composition to about 100 parts by weight of
animal feed. A more preferred range i8 from about 5 to
about 25 parts by weight of the flax seed composition
to 100 parts by weight of animal feed. The most
preferred range is from about 10 to about 20 parts by
weight flax seed composition to about 100 parts by
weight of animal feed.
The animal feed blend is fed to the animals in the
amounts and at intervals commensurate with their normal
feeding habits.
In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed blend
contains ground raw flax seed fortified with vitamin
B-6 and/or zinc.
The animal feed blend is useful for all types of
animals, including carnivors such as cats, dogs and
minks, monogastrics such as horses and pigs, avians
such as chicken~ and turkeys, and even fish.
The animal~ can be fed the flax seed composition
from birth to death. Further, many desirable effects
of the flax seed composition can be found in offspring
by feeding the flax seed composition to the pregnant
mother beginning as early as conception. The preferred
time is to start feeding as young as possible so that
the linolenic acid will be in abundance for the
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development of nerve, brain, and vitreous humour, where
the highe9t concentrations of linolenic acid and its
metabolites are normally found.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young domestic animals, ruminant or otherwise,
which employ monogastric digestion, e.g., calves. The
flax seed composition obtained through the process of
the present invention when combined with conventional
animal feed, e.g., a mixture of grains, dried animal
products and other material, and then added to water in
proportion~ readily determined by those skilled in the
art of feeding animals when fed to calves, lambs or
other young domestic animals provides a significant
increase in shininess of the coat and bone development
compared with that obtained with conventional milk
substitutes.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young fur-bearing animals such as mink. The
flax seed composition obtained by the process of the
present invention when combined with conventional mink
feed, e.g., a mixture of ground poultry, pork, and beef
byproducts plu9 other materials, provides a significant
increase in bone development, growth rate, nursing mink
milk production and luxuriant coat development as
compared with that obtained with regular mink feed.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young chickens, turkeys, geese and other
avians. The flax seed composition obtained through the
process of the present invention when combined with
conventional poultry feed such as animal and vegetable
materials and essential vitamins and minerals, when fed
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to chicken5, turkeys and other bird~ provides
significantly better developed birds, which have
increased growth rates, stronger bones, higher Omega-3
content in the meat and other edible products such as
eggs and lower cholesterol content in the eggs as
compared with that obtained with conventional poultry
feeds.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young domestic horses and mature horses. The
flax seed composition obtained through the process of
the present invention when combined with conventional
horse feed, e.q. a mixture of oats, molaases, vitamins
and minerals, when fed to pregnant mare~ and young
colts provides a significant increase in size, growth
rate, bone development and shiny coat of the colt~ and
when fed to mature horses eliminates dandruff and makes
the horse calmer, the bones stronger and the hooves
less likely to split as compared with that obtained
with regular, commercial horse feed.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young fish. The flax seed composition obtained
through the process o the present invention combined
with conventional feed, e.g., a mixture of animal and
vegetable matter, provides a significant increase in
the Omega-3 content in the muscle tissue, and more
disease resi~tance as compared with that obtained with
regular, commercial fish feed.
The animal feed blend is especially useful for
feeding young pigs and other young domestic animals.
The product obtained through the present invention when
combined with conventional feed, e.g., a mixture of
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animal and vegetable products and vitamins and
mineral~, when fed to pigs or other young domestic
animals provides a siqnificant increase in bone
development and a shinier coat, and more Omega-3 in the
muscle tissue as compared with that obtained with
commercial feed for these animals.
The animal feed is especially useful for feeding
laying hens to improve the strength of the shell of the
eggs and to increase eqg production when combined with
conventional feed, e.g. a mixture of animal and
vegetable products and vitamins and minerals.
As already mentioned, the amount of animal feed
blend fed to the animals in order to obtain the
above-described benefits therefrom i8 the same as that
fed to the animals conventionally. Further, the
number of daily feedings is the same as the
conventional number of daily feeding~.
The present invention also provides a method for
improving the general health and appearance of animals
and increasing Omega-3 content of animal tissue
comprising administering orally to a subject a
biologically effective amount of the flax seed
composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the bone strength of
animal~ is improved, and in an especially preferred
embodiment, the bone strength of chickens and turkeys
is improved.
In a second preferred embodiment, the subject is a
pregnant animal and the general health of the pregnant
animal s progeny is improved.
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According to this second preferred embodiment, it
i9 especially preferred if the pregnant animal is a
pregnant mare. The progeny have improved bone
strength, size and confirmation and also an increased
growth rate relative to proqeny of pregnant mares not
administered the flax seed composition of the present
invention.
In a third preferred embodiment, the method
improves the strength of hooves of hooved animals. The
method is especially useful for improving the strength
of horse hooves.
In a fourth preferred embodiment, the method
increases the growth rate of animals. The method is
especially useful for increasing the growth rate of
minks and chickens.
In a fifth preferred embodiment the method
improves the silkiness and the sheen of animal fur
and/or hide.
The method is especially preferable for improvinq
the silkiness and sheen of horse and mink fur and hide.
In a sixth preferred embodiment, the method
increases the strength of egg shells of avians.
The method is especially perferable for increasing
the egg shell strength of laying hens.
In a seventh preferred embodiment, the method
increases the egg production of avians.
The method is especially preferable for increasing
the egg production of laying hens.
Further, Omega-3 is believed, but not definitely
established, to improve animal health by being
converted to prostaglandins that act as hormones to
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control metabolic functions in all cells. Thu~ it i9
believed to be beneficial to optimize the amount of
linolenic acid being given an animal. This also
benefits humans that consume the edible animal
products, because the edible tissues from animals fed
the flax seed compositions contains increased levels of
linolenic acid and its metabolic products, DHA and EPA.
Accordingly, an eighth preferred embodiment of the
method increases the Omega-3 content of edible animal
products.
The method is especially preferable for increasing
the Omega-3 content of chicken meat, laying hen eggs,
turkey meat, fish meat and pork.
A ninth preferred embodiment of the method
decreases the cholesterol content of avian eggs.
In all of the embodiments of the method, it is
preferred that the flax seed composition be fortified
with zinc and/or vitamin B-6.
In the above method for improving the general
health and appearance of animals and increasing Omega-3
content of animal tissue and in all of the
above-described specific embodiments of the method, the
biologically effective amount of the flax seed
composition is best expressed in terms of the parts by
weight of flax seed composition per lOO parts by weight
of animal feed fed to the animals in amounts and at
intervals commensurate with their normal feeding
habits. When expressed in this manner, the
biologically effective amounts are the same for all
animals and are those already set forth above, i.e.,
from about one part to about 35 parts by weight of flax
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seed composition to about 100 parts by weight of animal
feed, more preferably from about 5 to about 2S parts by
weight of flax seed composition to about 100 parts by
weight of animal feed, and most preferably from about
10 to about 20 parts by weight flax ~eed composition to
about 100 parts by weight of animal feed.
However, by reference to the above, one 9killed in
the art can readily determine dosages in terms of g
flax seed composition per kg of body weight for
different animals at different ages.
For example, the following are suitable dosages in
terms of g flax seed (g Flax) per kg body weight for
chickens, horses and minks.
FLAX CONSUMPTION LEVEL
Chicken Diet
g Flax/kg Body Weight
Day Old 2 weeks4 weeks 8 weeks Adult Layers
Ideal 100 50 20 10 4
Widest
Range 10 to 200 10 to 1503 to 100 1 to 50 0.5 to 20
Preferred
Range 25 to 150 20 to 1005 to 50 3 to 25 1 to 10
Most
Preferred 50 to 100 40 to 6010 to 30 5 to 15 2 to 6
Horse Diet
g Flax/kg Body Weight
Mature Pregnant and
Colt Horses Nursing Horses
Ideal 1.0 .3 .6
Widest Range .1 to 3 .05 to 1.5 .5 to 3
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Preferred Range .2 to 2 .10 to l.O .1 to 2
Most Preferred .5 to 1.5 .20 to 0.5 .3 to 1.0
Mink Diet
g Flax/kg Body Weight
0 to 3 3 to 6 6 Mos. and Older
Months Months (Breeding Animals)
Ideal 6.0 4.0 5.0
Widest Range 1 to 30 0.5 to 25 1 to 30
Preferred ~ange2 to 20 1 to lS 2 to 20
Most Preferred3 to 10 2 to 8 2 to 10
The present invention also provides a method for
improving the general health and appearance of human
beings and increasing Omega-3 content of human being
tissue comprising adminictering orally to a human being
a biologically effective amount of the stable dry
edible flax seed compo~ition.
When admini~tered to human beings, the flax seed
composition of the present invention improves bone
strength, the sheen of hair and skin, and lowers blood
pressure.
Additionally, the Omega-3 content of the milk of
nursing mothers is increased by administering the flax
seed composition to the nursing mothers.
In order to achieve these effects, the flax seed
composition is consumed in a daily amount of from about
O.Olg to about 2g per kg of body weight, preferably
from about 0.1 to about 0.5 g per kg of body weight,
and especially preferably from about 0.2 g to about
0.3g per kg of body weight.
Further, the flax seed composition can be consumed
as is or mixed with various foods.
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Preferably, the flax seed composition is fortified
with zinc and/or vitamin B-6, ecpecially if such are
not otherwise provided in the diet.
EXAMPLES
The invention will now be described by reference
to specific examples which are not meant to be
limiting.
Unless otherwise indicated, all percents, ratio~,
etc. are by weight.
EXAMPLE 1
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED FNRICHED DIET ON OMEGA-3
CONTENT OF CHICKEN MEAT
The purpose of this Example is to demonstrate the
increase in Omega-3 content in chicken meat when
chickens are fed an Omega-3 rich diet by including a
raw ground flax seed composition in the chicken feed.
Forty one-day old meat-type chickens were randomly
assigned to two groups. The experimental group was fed
a diet that contained 20 percent fortified flax seed
composition. The other group of chickens were fed an
isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet made without flax.
The compo-Qitions of the control and experimental
diets are shown in the table below. Both diets
contained 20% protein, 3100 kcal~kg energy, 1.0%
calcium, 0.42% available phosphorus, 0.75% methionine
plus cysteine and 1.30% lysine.
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Diet Formulation tWeisht Percent)
Control Experimental
Corn 55.18 48.64
Soybean 34.42 26.01
Dicalcium Phosphate 1.45 1.41
Limestone 1.52 1.53
Lard 5.63 0
Wheat Middling 0 0.47
Fortified Fla~ Seed
compositionJ O 20.00
Methionine and cysteine 0.75 0.75
Lysine ~/ O.20 0.35
Premix Vitamins 1.00 1.00
Salt 0.50 0,50
Fortified flax seed composition contained 200 ppm of
zinc as zinc sulfate pluq 100 ppm vitamin B-6.
~/ Premix vitamins: (MnO, 5 grams; Choline chloride
(60%), 107 grams; Niacin (50%), 3.2 grams; Pantothenate
(25%), 2.4 grams; Riboflavin (220 mg/g), 1.5 grams; B-2
(.66 mg/g), 2.0 grams; Vitamin A, 45 grams; Vitamin ~,
6.5 grams; Vitamin E, 2 grams; Corn, 825.4 grams.)
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The chickens from both group6 were housed in
battery brooders for 4 weeks under identical
environmental conditions. After 4 weeks, the chickens,
4 weeks old, were weighed and then sacrificed. The
control chickens averaged 600 grams in weight. The
experimental chickens averaged S40 grams. This
difference in weight is not significant.
Samples of thigh, breast and liver were taken from
the sacrificed chickens for fatty acid analysis. The
results are shown in Table 1 below. Also, the radius
bone in the wing was analyzed for breaking strength.
The results are shown in Table 2 below.
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Tabl- 1
Thl~h Meat- Bre-~t n--t Liver
C18~3~3-CZ015~ 3- C2216 _3-C18131~3 C2015~ 3C2216 ~ 3 C1813~3 C2015~ 3 C2Z~6~ 3
Control Fed
Chicken~.89 0 0 .98 .38 1.00 .61 .44 1.83
Flax Seed
Fed Chicken~ 11.35 .44 .368.95 1.33 1.07 4.16 3.85 4.97
Percentag-
Increa~-IZ70% ^~-` cY~910~ 350~ 7~ 680~ 875~ 271
Average
Tr_,"7 ~ in
Total
Om~o~-3 1365~ 581~ 450
~J Results are expressed as percent by weight of
total fat.
~J C18:3 3 = alpha linolenic acid.
~J C20:5 3 = eicosopentenoic acid.
~/ C22:6 3 = docosohexenoic acid.
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The re~ults shown in Table 1 indicate that feedinga diet that contains 20 percent flax seed (4.4 percent
linolenic acid) causes a substantial increase in all
three types of Omega-3 fatty acids in thigh meat,
breast meat and the liver. The increases averaged 800
percent. There was a 1365 percent increase in the
thigh muscle, 581 percent increase in the breast muscle
and a 450 percent increase in liver in total Omega-3
content compared to control samples.
Table 2
Bone Breaking Strength
Control 23.8 pounds
Experimental 29.7 pounds
The results shown in Table 2 indicate a 24.7%
increase in bone strength in the Experimental group.
The bone strength tests were carried out according
to the procedure of T.D. Crenshaw as published in the
Journal of Animal Science, volume 53, No. 3, 1981,
pages 827 to 835.
The fatty acid analysis was carried out according
to University of Minnesota Analytical Testing
Procedures, deqcribed below.
Samples of thigh, breaqt and liver were taken from
the sacrificed chickens for fatty acid analysis.
Samples from ten birds from each group were pooled,
homogenized, and then frozen until analyzed.
A 1 gram sample of tissue was homogenized with 50
ml of chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v), filtered and
washed with NaCl. The chloroform layer containing the
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lipid extract was removed and taken to dryness under a
gentle stream of nitrogen. A 10 mg sample of total
lipid was transesterified with 5% HCl methanol at 85C
for l-1/2 hours to form the fatty acid methyl esters
(FAME). The FAME s were extracted with 30-60C
petroleum ether and then concentrated for gas
chromatographic analysis by removing the solvent unde-r
nitrogen.
A Packard 428 gas chromatograph equipped with a
flame ionization detector was used to separate the
FAME 9. A 50 m by 0.2 mm fused silica-bonded FFAP
(free fatty acid phase of derivatized carbonax
nitroterephthalic acid polymer) capillary column was
used to separate FAME s from 12:0 to 22:6~3. The
temperature was programmed from 190 to 220C at
2C/minute. The injector temperature was 250C, and
the detector temperature was 270C. Helium was the
carrier gas with a column flow of 1.4 ml/minute and a
split ratio of 1:65. Peaks were identified by
comparison with authentic FAME standards. Peak areas
were calculated by a microproces~or.
EXAMPLE II
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRIC~HED DIET ON HORSE COATS
Four large Belgian parade horses had a serious
dandruff problem requiring brushing twice per day, but
the animals still looked dirty. The horses also had a
serious hoof cracking problem. They were fed 1/2 pound
of the ground flax seed composition per day in addition
to their regular diet of 5 pounds of oats and 45 pounds
of hay. After three weeks, the horses coats were
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shiny and needed brushing only once per week to remove
excess dandruff. After eight months on this diet, the
cracks in the hooves were gone and the hooves looked
more transluscent.
EXAMPLE III
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED DIET ON
PROGENY OF FEMALE HORSES
A Belgian mare that was six months pregnant was
fed a fortified flax seed composition at the rate of
1/3 pound per day (lOO ppm vitamin B-6 and 50 ppm zinc)
plus 8 pounds of oats and 40 pounds of hay per day
until she had her colt. The colt that was born wa~
stronger, bigger, better boned and had better
conformation than her full blooded brothers and
sisters. The filly colt grew faster also. She stood
49 1/2 inches tall at 30 days of age. At the same age
her full blooded sister was 44 1/2 inches tall. At
three months of age the flax-fed colt s hair was 1 1/4
inches long, very soft and silky like a mink. At the
same age, her sister s hair was 3/4 inches long, dry
and brittle, like a horse.
EXAMPLE IV
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED DIET ON MINK
One pen of young mink was fed a control diet and a
second pen of young mink was fed an experimental diet
comprised of lO percent fortified flax seed
composition. Both diets were identical except for the
flax seed composition. The diets consisted of 9O
percent animal byproducts and lO percent cereal with or
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1 3 3 6 ~ 5 3
without the fortified flax seed composition. The mink
fed flax seed grew faster than the ones fed a regular
diet, they ate le99, and their coats were noticeably
shinier. In just forty days, the animal s fur was
thick, soft and silky and ready for harve9t (pelting)
whereas the animals fed the control diet needed to be
fed for eighty days to be ready for pelting.
EXAMPLE V
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED DIET ON EGG S~ELL
STRENGTH, EGG PRODUCTION AND OMEGA-3
CONTENT OF EGGS
Two groups of 35 laying hen~ each were fed either
an experimental diet or a control diet. 80th diets
15contained 15.5% protein, 2900 Kcal/kg metabolizable
energy, 3.5% calcium, 0.50 available phosphorous, 0.55%
methionine-cystine and 0.82% lysine by weight. The
fortified flax seed composition contained 200 ppm zinc
as zinc sulfate and 100 ppm vitamin B-6.
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Diet Formula (Weight Percent)
ControlExperimental
Corn 62.23 46.79
Soybean 22.78 13.16
Dicalcium Phosphate 2.01 1.93
Limestone 7.88 7.88
Lard 3.57 o
Wheat Middlings 0 8.70
Fortified Flax Seed
Composition 0 20.00
Methionine 0.03 0.02
Premix vitamins 1.00 1.00
Salt 0.50 0.50
Premix vitamins: (MnO, 5 grams; Choline chloride
(60%), 107 grams; Niacin (50%), 3.2 grams; Pantothenate
(25%), 2.4 grams; Riboflavin (220 mg/g), 1.5 grams; B12
(.66 mg/g), 2.0 grams; Vitamin A, 45 grams; Vitamin D,
6.5 grams; Vitamin E, 2 grams; Corn, 825.4 grams.)
In order to determine the egg shell strength, the
distance the egg shell deformed when a 500 g weight was
added was measured according to the procedure described
by C. Tyler in Briti~h Journal of Poultry Science,
Volume 2, pages 3 to 16 (1960). The eggs from hens fed
the experimental diet deformed 13.0 mm. The eggs from
hens fed the control diet deformed 16.4 mm.
This demonstrates that the eggs from the flax seed
composition fed hens were 26% stronger.
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The egg production at six weeks of age was also
determined. The results showed that 98% of the hens
fed the fortified flax seed composition layed every
day. In contrast, only 85% of the hens fed the control
diet layed eggs every day.
Further, the Omega-3 content of the eggs was
measured. The results showed that the experimental
eggs contained 0.4% Omega-3. while the control eggs
only contained 0.1% Omega-3.
The Omega-3 content in the eggs was determined as
de~cribed in Example 1, except that homogenized egg was
used as the sample.
Further, the cholesterol content of the eggs was
measured by conventional methods. The results showed
that the experimental eggs contained 309 mg.
cholesterol, while the control eggq contained 560 mg.
cholesterol per egg.
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' EXAMPLE VI
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED DIET ON GROWTH RATE OF CHICKENS
Three groups of chickens were fed either a control
or experimental diet with fortified flax seed
composition or with non-fortified flax seed composition
beginning when they were l-day old.
Diet Formulation (Weight Percent)
Control Experimental
Fortified Non-Fortified
Corn 59.126.4 26.4
Soy Meal 35.915.6 15.6
Alfalfa 0 1.5 1.5
Field Peas 0 20 20
Dicalcium
Phosphate 1.571.04 1.04
Limestone 1. la 1 . 39 1.39
Lard 1.390 0
Yeast 0 3 3
Oats 0 10 10
Flax 0 20 20
D-L Methionine 0.280.48 0.48
Lysine .01.05 .05
Vitamin Premix 1.01.0 1.0
Salt .5.5 5
Vitamin B-6 0 .10 0
Zinc O .20 0
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Vitamin Premix: (MnO, 5 grams; Choline chloride
(60%), 107 grams; Niacin (50%), 3.2 grams; Pantothenate
(25%), 2.4 grams; Riboflavin (220 mg/g), 1.5 grams; B12
(.66 mg/g), 2.0 grams; Vitamin A, 45 grams; Vitamin D,
6.5 grams; Vitamin E, 2 grams; Corn, 825.4 grams.)
All diets contained 2900 Kilocalories per
kilogram, 21% protein, and .9~ calcium, .45% phosphate,
1.03% methionine and 1.2% of lysine ~y weight.
The chickens were weighed at days 7, 14 and 21.
The results are shown in Table 3.
Table 3
Average Weight of Chickens (Grams)
7 days 14 days 21 days
Control 130 285 520
Experimental
Fortified Flax 154 363 680
Non-Fortified Flax 110 221 360
The results show an exceptionally fast growth rate
for the chickens fed the fortified flax seed
composition with a slight excess of methionine in the
diet. The growth rate for the fortified flax seed fed
chickens was considerably above the normal of 450 to
550 grams in 21 days. The chickens fed the
non-fortified flax seed composition, having low levels
of zinc and vitamin B-6 which would be naturally
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present in the whole grains survived but did not grow
as fast as the control group.
EXAMPLE VII
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED DIET ON YOUNG TURKEYS
A group of 10 young turkeys was fed a diet
comprised of 10 percent fortified flax seed composition
added to a regular grower diet made by Purina from 3
weeks of age to 4 months of age. The turkeys thrived.
They definitely did not die. The fortified flax ~eed
contained 200 ppm zinc as zinc sulfate plus 100 ppm
vitamin B-6.
EXAMPLE VIII
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED_DIET ON NURSING MOTHERS
Eight nursing mothers were fed three tablespoons
per day of fortified flax seed composition (ground flax
seed fortified with 200 ppm zinc sulfate (as zinc) and
100 ppm vitamin B-6). This was equivalent to a dosage
of about 0.1 to about 0.2 g/kg of body weight. Samples
of their milk were taken before starting to take the
fortified flax seed composition and after 4 weeks. The
results are shown in Table 4.
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Table 4
Omega-3 Content 0f Nurqing Mother s Milk
Omega-3 Content
(As percent of total fat)
18:3~3 22:6~ 3
Subject Initial Final Initial Final
1 1.00 2.22 .15 .18
2 1.17 2.65 .19 .37
3 1.10 1.94 .10 .22
4 1.41 2.23 .17 .21
1.20 1.28 .14 .39
6 1.30 1.49 .10 .10
7 1.41 2.14 .17 .21
8 .88 .79 .15 .13
Average1.181.84 .146 .226
56% Increase 54% Increase
The results indicate a 56% increase in alpha
linolenic acid and a 15% increaqe in docosohexenoic
acid.
The fatty acid analysis was carried out according
to the University of Minnesota Analytical Testing
. Procedureq as follows.
Milk sampleq taken from nursing mothers were kept
frozen until analysis.
Lipids from 2 ml samples were extracted with 3
volumes of chloroform and methanol (2:1, v/v). The
samples were mixed well and centrifuged. The aqueous
layer was drawn off and the chloroform layer filtered
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to remove the protein. The CH~13 layer was then dried
under a gentle stream of nitrogen and redissolved in
100 ~1 of CHC13.
The lipid extracts were spotted onto a silicic
acid thin layer chromatography plate and developed in
80/20/1 (30-60C) petroleum ether:diethyl ether: acetic
acid. The chromatograms were sprayed with 0.1%
2',7 -dichlorofluorescein solution and illuminated with
W light. The lipid classes appeared as distinct bands
and the~e were scraped into glass tubes with teflon
caps. The lipid clas~es are: phospholipids (PL), free
fatty acids (FA), triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol
esters (CE). Since milk is essentially all TG, only
that fraction was analyzed. The lipids were
transesterified with 2 ml of 5% HCl/methanol (w/v) at
85C for 1 hour. After esterification, the methyl
esters were extracted with petroleum ether (30-60C),
the samples taken to dryness under nitrogen and
redissolved in a minimum of petroleum ether for gas
chromatographic analysis as follows.
A Packard 428 gas chromatograph equipped with a
flame ionization detector was used to separate the
methyl esters. Gas chromatographic analysis was
carried out on a 50 m by 0.2 mm fused silica capillary
column coated with FFAP. The column was temperature
programmed from 120 to 220C at 2/minute with an
initial hold of 5 minutes and a final hold of 20
minuteq. The carrier gas was helium at a flow of 1.84
ml/minute. The split ratio was 1:57. Identification
of fatty acid methyl esters was made by comparison with
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authentic 9tandard3. Peak areas were calculated by the
use of a microprocessor.
EXAMPLE IX
EFFECT OF FLAX SEED ENRICHED DIET ON BLOOD PRESSURE
Four elderly men had high blood pressure even
though they had been treated for 10 to 20 years with
conventional medical therapy, diet and exercise. Their
blood pressures before consuming the fortified flax
seed composition were: 190/88; 200/102; 180/88;
195/95.
They consumed 45 grams per day of the flax seed
composition fortified with 150 ppm vitamin B-6 and 200
ppm zinc as zinc ~ulfate. This wa~ equivalent to a
dosage of about 0.5 g/kg of body weight. No other
changes in the diet, medication, or exercise were
allowed.
After consuming the fortified flax seed for six
weeks, their respective blood pre~sures were 152/82;
162/80; 168/84; 156/74. This amounted to a 18~/14
reduction in systolic/diastolic blood pressure.
While the invention has been described in detail
and with reference to ~pecific embodiments thereof, it
will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
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