Need help on Flaxseed

[hope]

My onc. said that nutrionists are saying that flaxseed is not benifical to BC patients because of the plant phytoestrogens might fuel tumor growth eveb=n in ER/PR - patients. Do any of you have any info on this? How many of you take flaxseed what kind? and how much? Currently I take Barleens flax oil with ligans one teaspoon daily. Do any of you take this kind?

[Becky]

Hope


First, flax oil and flax seed are totally different although they are both from the same plant. The oil is loaded with short chain omega 3s as well as omega 9s. The seed (ground) is also beneficial but it does have phytoestrogens (like soy does). This would effect hormone positive breast cancer but research hasn't come out yet on whether flax meal or soy are detrimental or beneficial to estrogen driven breast cancer. Therefore, if hormone positive, one should not consume more than 2 or 3 servings of flax meal or soy per week. However, I think I noticed that you are NOT hormone positive so this does not matter to you.

There has been some in vivo tests that flax helps downregulate Her2 mediated breast cancers and that it is very good for Her2 positives (again, take caution on the flax meal if you are hormone positive - but no need to totally eliminate it).

I think if you search this site, you will find many references, threads and articles regarding flax oil and ground flax seed (meal).

Best regards,

Becky

[AlaskaAngel]

Hope, try using the search button at the top of the screen to bring up past discussions on flaxseed as there have been quite a few I think. I personally take 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed each day mixed with hot 1/4 cup plain soy milk with a little Stevia and a little olive oil. I am strongly ER+ and PR+ Stage 1.

Here is a clinical trial that is now closed that was offered, and I don't know what the outcome was:

Macrobiotic Diet and Flax Seed: Effects on Estrogens, Phytoestrogens, & Fibrinolytic Factors

This study is no longer recruiting patients.

Sponsored by:National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)Information provided by:National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00010829
Purpose

This study will assess whether alternative, high phytoestrogen dietary interventions result in favorable effects on biological parameters that have been associated with hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.

[al from Canada]

http://www.thensome.com/flaxseedlinks.htm

Al

Hope

here is a comment kindly sent ot me by somebody who is researching the subject in response to a question I asked.

There is a post on this site (around 12/12/06) with lots of links to technical article and trials that look at the the phytoestrogenic impact, which you might like to show to your onc.

Flax is unusually high in omega 3. I suggest you read/skim the post on the importance of omega threes and sixes on breast cancer on the articles of interest if it is a subject you are unaware of.

I hope this helps

RB

ABSTRACT


".....firstly,
flax oil does not contain any lignans as they do not dissolve in oil.
Lignans are present in every plant food that we eat only more
concentrated in flax and therefore commercially more viable to extract.
There is products available on the market that do deliver specific
quantities of flax lignans.

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)."

[Sandy H]

I take 4 to 6 Tbsp of Barlean's Flax Oil daily. It is 100% organic and contains the highest lignan or at least that is what the bottle has on it. I get it directly from the manufacture at wholesale cost. I am ER/PR neg. I can feel so many benefits from it I would hate to think I had to give it up. If I were ER/PR positive I would not take it or would not do Soy products! Where there is questions and different opinions on it why take the chance. One has to do what they are comfortable with and live with it. hugs, Sandy