Flax Seed Oil / Black Cohash

[Janet/FL]

The nurse practioner at M.D. Anderson, Orlando, yesterday,warned about using Flax Oil and black cohash.
I know there is contorversy over the use of flax, and I have not added it to my diet. I used to enjoy fresh gound flax seed as a cereal. The nurse said that if I am going to take flax only use the fresh ground, but I think I will skip it. She said the studies are not in as to whether flax is safe or not. I am using Carlson Fish Oils and olive oil. Have never used black cohash.
FYI
Janet/FL

[al from canada]

I've heard about Black Cohosh but flax seed oil is news to me. In fact it contains lipoic and Oleaic acids.
Al

[Rozebud]

Janet - Are there any studies we can use that discuss flaxseed oil and dangers? A BUNCH of my new bc friends take it....and I'd like to be able to send them something.

[Sandy H.]

Its my understanding that Black Cohost should not be used by anyone ER postive. As for Flaxseed there is some question it may be the same also with mushrooms. The last two should be used in moderation but the Black Cohost should not be used. I do use Flaxseed but I am ER/PR neg. also have had a hysterectomy and that changes it as well. All this should be safe if one has had surgery this is what my PP told me. Hugs, Sandy

[KathySC]

Hi Janet, I guess the key part to the nurses comment is that "the studies are not in". She went on to say that fresh ground seeds are safer than the oil. I would continue eating the ground seeds and stay away from black cohosh wether I was ER/PR neg or positive. There are a lot of studies showing the benefits of flax seeds.
Kathy

[*_anne_*]

Hello all,
This is scary news. I thought that the omega6 in flax seed and other antioxidants are good for cancer patients. Please let us see any relevant information. I have also heard that Essaic Tea is bad for breast cancer but have never read anything about flax. Why are the seeds better that the oil anyway???

[Lyn]

Well what can I say, I have been using both for a long long time, the black cohash fixed my hot flushes, and the flaxseed made my hair and nails grow, but then I have always been weird.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[Janet/FL]

Sorry I don't have further information. That is what the PA told me re:flax seeds at M.D.Anderson, Orlando. I would think some of the difference between the seeds and the oil is that flax appears to be highly unstable once it is crushed. I have heard this on other health sites and have steered away from it for that reason. Since olive oil and fish oils, I use Carlson Fish Oil as it seems to be "pure", are recommended, I am going to skip the flax oil and seeds.
Perhaps Peggy on this list who goes to the same oncologist there, would know more.
Peggy, if you are there, do you have any info?

Janet/FL

[sunny9421]

Check out this article - it might help with you concerns.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/9291.html

[Shobha]

Sandy,

you mention caution even with mushrooms. can you please elaborate? I take mushroom supplements and want to understand the concerns...

[Jackie07]

According to this statement in the article posted by Sunny9421, those who have Hormone positive breast cancer probably be better off not to take flaxseeds:

" it should be used cautiously in women with hormone sensitive conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary."

[Cal-Gal]

I also heard something about Flax and Black Cohosh-
although not a Black Cohosh fan (it lowered my blood pressure years ago) I do love flax oil and flax meal-so I did stop taking it--

I found this on the internet awhile back before I started chemo--again with anything check with your Doctor and or
Oncologist--

http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/herbal.html

[R.B.]

HI all

If you search for flax seed or flaxseed + phytoestrogens there are a lot of posts on this site looking at the pros and cons including discussion as to whether to use oil or seed.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=341451

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26182&highlight=flax+seed

I do not understand what basis the advice eat seed not oil comes from. There is an argument for using phytogen free oil, and others argue the phytoestrogens are beneficial, and I would based on previous reading be on that side of the scale.

Recent trials which both fall in favour of flax seed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18791924?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18703142?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Lots of trials

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=search&term=flaxseed%20breast%20cancer

This thread looks at the issue of Omega 3 and 6.


http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24410&highlight=greek+diet

[StephN]

Thanks for chiming in R.B. I began with the ground flax seed and moved to the oil capsules, which I still take (homone neg). I think the reason is that grinding the flax seeds every morning was getting tiresome. It was noted that the fresh ground seeds were best as once ground some of the good we want out of it is lost.

Anyone reading this thread please take note that it was begun in 2005 and some of the posters are no longer here.

I am not sure about the mushrooms question, but there is good evidence that certain ones such as Shiitaki, Maitake, and Reishi have proven anticancer effect. There were some studies presented at the AACR conference in Denver last April.

[Shobha]

Thanks Steph for the info on Mushrooms. I am taking Reishi and "Host Defense" from New Chapter twice a day.

hugs,
shobha

[vickie h]

I also take flax seed oil and Host Defense everyday. I am doing chemo, which is failing at this point, but i am also on the Gerson diet and juice a lot, take lots of enzymes, and eat tons of vegetables. I hadn't heard that flax oil is harmful. My Onc in Santa Barbara told me to stay on it and gave me the Host Defense (mushrooms) to take.
Love,
Vickie

[R.B.]

VickieH re Gerson and flaxseed


Flaxseed oil supplies plant based Omega 3s, and most oils contain little phytooestrogen.

Not everybody will make the long chain Omega 3 EPA and DHA from the mother plant based Omega 3.

Oestrogen improves conversion in women over men by a factor of 10, but many BC women are low in oestrogen.

Women have a higher need for long chain Omega 3s than men.

If you cannot make the long chain Omega 3s from the mother fat you need to get them in your diet and we are back to fish and fish oil. There is trial evidence that in many the plant based Omega 3s is poorly converted and will not provide adequate EPA and DHA.

DHA and EPA are at the sharp end of the protective properties of the Omega 3s. If flax oil is not converted to the long chain DHA and EPA then you are not going to see most of the Omega 3 benefits.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24410&highlight=greek+diet