Flax Seed and Cancer Relief
The high fiber and lignan content of flax seed has
intrigued scientists, nutritionists and
physicians in regard to its preventative
nature with certain cancers. Flax seed
and cancer relief have a link that will
be pursued with all available resources.
How Flax Seed Can Help Breast
Cancer or Colon Cancer
Diets rich in fiber have long been
held as a safeguard against colon
cancer. Flax seed can help breast
cancer. Keeping a healthy balance of
fiber from fruits and vegetables is
enhanced when high-fiber flax seed is
introduced into the daily eating
routine.
Good defense in prevention of colon
cancer is to keep the digestive tract
active. The fiber in flax seed is helpful in
regulating bowel movements and
preventing constipation. Because
flaxseeds insoluble fiber content is
able to hold water, this in turn helps
soften the stool and allows it to move
through the colon quickly. Maintaining a
well-hydrated body is also helpful to
keep the digestive tract active and
efficient. It is especially important to
drink more water when you increase your
consumption of fiber. These common-sense
habits are essential to a
prevention-based lifestyle, guarding
against colon cancer.

Breast, Prostate and Ovarian Cancers
The high lignan content of flax seed is
believed to be the defense mechanism
against cancers that are primarily
hormone-dependent. Lignans are a type of
natural plant chemical (scientifically
known as a phytochemical) contained
within the cell matrix of the flaxseed.
Lignans are considered to act as plant
hormones. Researchers believe these
plant hormones mimic the bodys own
estrogen type of cells and can block the
formation of hormone-based tumors or
growths. Unlike hormones produced in the
body, these plant hormones do not
stimulate cancerous cells to grow. In
fact, lignans boost production of a
substance that fastens onto human
estrogen and carries it out of the body.
The role of lignans and their plant hormone
properties became the subject of study
at the Department of Clinical Chemistry,
University of Helsinki. Strong evidence
is cited supporting lignans as having
cancer-protective compounds. Flax seed
has anywhere from 75-800 times more
lignans than vegetables or other grain
products.
Another buffering quality of flaxseed
against hormone-dependent cancers is the omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA).
A balance between the good fats, known
as the unsaturated fats, is the goal for
hormone-related cancer prevention. These
unsaturated fats are also known as
essential fatty acids and have two
categories: omega-6 and omega-3 fatty
acids. Omega-6 EFAs are introduced into
our diets with vegetable oils and
products made from these sources.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish
such as salmon and tuna and also in flax
seed. Further detail on the importance
of this balance is provided in the
website link entitled Omega-3
Fats.
Essential fatty acid imbalance and
deficiencies can change the balance of
hormone production and the function of
organs. Breast and prostate tissue are
especially sensitive to these
abnormalities. It is felt that a
deficiency or imbalance of the essential
fatty acids will alter the function of
these organs, and in turn, lead the
organs to compensate with overproduction
of different types of cells.
The most common finding with essential
fatty acid imbalance, is a diet sorely
lacking in omega-3 fatty acids. Studies
have shown that a high blood level of
omega-3 fatty acids combined with a low
level of omega-6 fatty acids can reduce
the risk of developing breast cancer.
Certainly, heredity and other factors
contribute to a persons risk in all
cancers; yet one cannot disregard the
evolving contribution of studies that
support dietary influences in cancer
prevention and management. |