chapter 1 Introduction: history of the cultivation and uses of flaxseed / chapter 2 Cultivated flax and the genus Linum L.: Taxonomy and germplasm conservation / chapter 3 Chemical studies on the constituents of Linum spp. / chapter 4 Cultivation of flax / chapter 5 Principal diseases of flax / chapter 6 Principal insect pests of flax / chapter 7 The contribution of α-linolenic acid in flaxseed to human health / chapter 8 The role of flaxseed lignans in hormone-dependent and independent cancer / chapter 9 Flaxseed in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases / chapter 10 Flaxseed and flaxseed lignans: Effects on the progression and severity of renal failure / chapter 11 Mammalian metabolism of flax lignans / chapter 12 Flaxseed constituents and human health / chapter 13 Traditional food and medicinal uses of flaxseed / chapter 14 Use of flaxseed in animal diets to create consumer products with modified fatty acid profiles / chapter 15 Current market trends and economic importance of oilseed flax / chapter 16 Current regulatory status of flaxseed and commercial products