Health Benefits

Cancer

Colon Cancer

Flax seed, the richest source of mammalian  lignan precursors, has been shown over the short term to decrease some early markers of colon cancer risk. One study determined that flax seed has a colon cancer protective effect.

Generous amounts of both insoluble (non-digestible form) and soluble (digestible form) fibre are found in flax, which improves bowel care, by easing digestion and relieving constipation. Insoluble fibre increases stool weight directly by absorbing water molecules into their structure. Greater stool weights have been correlated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.

Breast Cancer

Research at the University of Toronto showed that when newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients ate 2 tablespoons of flax daily, lignans in flax inhibited their tumor growth. Lignan metabolites also bear a structural similarity to estrogens that bind to estrogen receptors and help to prevent the growth of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

Prostate Cancer

More studies are needed on regular ground flax comsumption and its effects on prostate cancer. Few studies regarding alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) suggest that it may have a beneficial role in treating prostate cancer. The lignans (SDG) in flax appear to decrease tumour growth of the prostate. This was evident in a study involving 25 men with prostate cancer. The subjects ate 30 g of ground flax a day for one month. The study revealed that the men with prostate cancer had decreased cancer cell growth when compared to a control group.

References

Jenab, M. et.al.1999. Nutr Cancer, 33(2): 154.

Jenab, M., Thompson, L. 1996. Carcinogenesis, 17:1343.

Lin, X, Gingrich, JR., Bao, W., et.al. 2002. Effect of Flax seed supplementation on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice. Urology, 60:919-924.

Rickard, S. et.al. 2000. Cancer Lett, 8;16 (1): 47.

Thompson, L.et.al. 1996. Nutr Cancer, 26:159.

Thompson, L., Li, T., Chen, J., Goss, PE. 2000. Biological Effects of Dietary Flaxseed in Patients with Breast Cancer. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Nutritional Sciences, Univeristy of Toronto, Toronto, ON,Canada.

Nutritional Benefits
The Good Fat
High in Fibre
Lignans for Life



Health Benefits
Heart Health
Cancer
Constipation
Diabetes
Immune Function
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kidney Disease
Menopause


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