Strong evidence for lignans’ breast cancer protection (58% risk reduction)

[R.B.]

There has been a lot of disucssion as to the lignans in flax seed and if they are benifical in BC and certain categories of BC (see posts on this site click on search on purple bar above and enter term flax seed flaxseed etc). There are lots of trials suggesting possible benifts from flaxseed / oil but please do look at the previous posts as the subject is not clear cut and is discussed in some detail.

This article helps clarify that you do not only find lignans in flaxseed.

One always has to be careful in assessesing data of this type as it may be there are other synegystic effects eg. those with higher lignan intake have better diets, more flavanoids folates vitamins enzymes better digestion elimination etc, less processed foods flaxseed is high in omega three etc, - but the overall direction is clear - a good diet may substantially reduce the risk of BC.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news...-breast-cancer


ABSTRACT

Strong evidence for lignans’ breast cancer protection

By Stephen Daniells




Get the latest Market Reports on
Acatris
Linnea
lignans
enterolactone
breast cancer
Related News

Flaxseed could boost lung health, animal study
HMRlignan may inhibit prostate cancer
Weak support for lignan-heart health link in smokers
Acatris cuts deal with ADM on isoflavone marketing rights
Linnea launches low-dose, high-bioavailability lignans
Maximum flax - higher concentration from Acatris
Acatris develops men's health product

Related Product Information
Phytochemicals, plant extracts
Cancer prevention



Related Product Newsletters
Phytochemicals, plant extracts
Cancer prevention

News Archives

All news for June 2006
All news for May 2006

14/06/2006 - A high intake of plant lignans could reduce the risk of breast cancer for pre-menopausal women by 78 per cent, says new research from Germany that adds significantly to the current body of science.

Plant lignans, from sources such as flax seed, whole grain cereals, berries, vegetables and fruits, are metabolised in the colon by microflora into enterodiol and enterolactone.

Lignans are well-known phytoestrogens – active substances derived from plants that have a weak oestrogen-like action that have been linked before to breast health, as well as benefits for postmenopausal women.

The new study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention (Vol. 15, pp. 225-232), reports that women with high plasma levels of enterolactone (above 12.96 nanomoles per litre), linked to high lignan intake, was associated with a 58 per cent reduction of breast cancer risk.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate both calculated enterolactone on the basis of food intake and data from biomarker measurement (plasma enterolactone) in relation to breast cancer risk,” wrote lead author Regina Piller from the Technical University of Munich.

It should be stressed that this new study does not mention which source of lignans, if any in particular, the women were taking, but merely looked at total lignan intake, as well as plasma levels of the metabolite, enterolactone...............................

[al from Canada]

Again, if you are ER+, you might exercise caution with phytoestrogens. Flax seed oil apparently has no lignans, so if your taking it for fatty acid content, are ER+, then the oil might be better.

Al

[R.B.]

There do seem to be divergent opions on the impact of lignans in flaxseed in relation to oestrogen mechanisms.

Here are some more sources for anybody debating the issue to discuss with their advisors.

This is what a person reseaching in the subject said

"Lignans are phytoestrogens but they are very weak and only elicit a
very weak estrogenic response. The current research suggests that the
advantage of this is the body detects them as estrogens (which produce a
strong estrogenic response) and therefore produces less harmful
estrogens (homoeostatic process) though inhibition of the aromatase
enzymes, more SHBG to bind estrogens (for elimination from the body) and
increases the conversion of estrogens to the 2OHE metabolism pathway
over the 16OHE (by increasing CYP1A1 enzymes). This whole process has a
cyclic effect with the end result being less bioavailable estrogen
(harmful), increased 2OHE (protective), and decreased 16OHE (harmful)."



This is a link on this site that looks at the issue of the action of lignans in flaxseed.

http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...7&pp=25&page=2


RB

[al from Canada]

Take DIM with it just to be safe? I know the jury's still out. I spoke to the resident naturapathic Doctor with Pure prescriptions and he likened it to fighting a nuclear attack with a garden hose. On the other hand, he is in business as well.

Thanks for the post
Al