Flaxseed

Jean · 02-05-2008, 06:53 PM

Hi All,
I am sure that most if not all of you already know this:
But today on the Oprah show she had Dr. Oz on and he says
that when eating flaxseed you have to grind it in order to get
the Omega 3 in it. If you use it whole you do not derive any benefit.

He says we cannot chew the seeds enough to gain the benefit.
I am sure you are all grinding your flaxseed before using it, but
I thought I would share this little tid bit.

He also said we are deficent in Vit. D. Get about 10 min. of sun exposure each day or take 1,000 units of Vit.D. He did not mention Vit. D3...just
Vit. D...

That's All Folks,
Jean

StephN · 02-05-2008, 08:22 PM

Hi Jean -
I did happen to catch that part of the show where Oprah was surprised that she had been using the whole seeds in things without grinding. You can buy it ground as well - or use a coffee bean grinder on the whole seeds.

We just take the oil in capsule form and don't mess with the seeds except I get the ground version sometimes to add to cooking.

I had to laugh when Dr. Oz told Oprah she needed to grind the flax seeds and she said with wide eyes,"Well, it doesn't say that on the package!"

Bill · 02-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Good info., Jean, like Steph. says, I use a little coffee mill and mix some in with my yogurt. I wish I had seen Oprah say that, Steph! It still seems like you could just take a mouthful of flax seeds and just chew them up really good though. That's one of the things that can be so confusing. Is it the high-speed grinding process that releases the omega 3, or turning the seeds into a powder that realeases it? I think we need to call our new "propeller-head", Chrisy, in on this one. Take care, Bill

Jean · 02-05-2008, 10:24 PM

Hi Bill,
I am not a propeller head but, Dr. Oz stated that the flaxseed just needed to be grinded to release the oil. Yes, Steph, it was so funny when Ophra
also said, "what about all that flaxseed seed I have been eating"?
She made the cutest face. Ha ha had to chuckle.

Take Care,
Jean

Joe · 02-06-2008, 05:09 AM

Here is a site that all of you may be interested in:

http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/

Regards
Joe

CoachPlayWin · 02-06-2008, 05:45 AM

My doc told me NOT to eat any flaxseed, along with black cohash and soy because they are synthetic estrogens. Anyone else?

goops · 02-06-2008, 05:57 AM

I have never used flax seed because it is confusing - I had bought some that were already ground, but then I read that they need to be fresh ground.

CLTann · 02-06-2008, 02:28 PM

Flaxseed is the same as Tung oil, which is linseed oil equivalent. The oil is fast oxidative, that is the reason it is the basis for marine paint (quick drying). Because of its quick reaction with oxygen, the seed must be freshly ground and eat right away. It is a simple matter to grind the seed, using a coffee bean grinder.

Mary Jo · 02-06-2008, 02:51 PM

Sorry pink but it's back to the confusion couch for me. After reading CLtann's post I see we should grind the "stuff" and eat it right away. I buy mine already ground - put it in the fridge and eat a tablespoon a day and the bowl of the "stuff" lasts me a long time.

Oh well..........not gonna start grinding...........that sounds too much like "Little House On The Prarie Days" so I'll just be confused I guess - believe what I want and eat it already ground from the healthfood store.

Hahahahahahahaha!

Big hugs,

Mary Jo

goops · 02-06-2008, 05:24 PM

I had never heard the ER+ shouldn't take flax seed - in a way, I am relieved, I tried taking flax seed oil and found it gross.

I found a study that said GLA (evening primrose Oil) was good to take if you are Her-2 positive and appears to help Herceptin do it's job
http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com...lth_news.shtml

Does anyone know if there is any problem with taking GLA and being ER+?

jaybt · 02-06-2008, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the link goops. I found it quite interesting. Haven't heard of flax seed either. What it is for anyway?
Saw my onc this week and was complaining to her about body aches and moods swings since starting my AI. Apart from Glucosamine, it was suggested I try early primose oil. I am ER+, and the onc is very particular about hormone additives in complimentary therapies. So if she is correct if appears there is no problem taking GLA.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 02-06-2008, 07:37 PM

My wonderful nut onc (nutritional oncologist vs traditional oncs I also have) is my SUPPLEMENT MAN. *He* says that Black Cohosh, Isoflavones from Red Clover, Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil are -- PHYTOESTROGENS. That they are a billionth the strength of real estrogen and are fine for me to take. I AM ER-/PR-. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogen-like. Not synthetic.

I am a hot flasher, hence the need for most of the above. But the Flaxseed Oil was suggested by my ophthamologist for my severely dry eyes (since my Taxotere experience). I cleared it first with my nut onc.

Turns out the Flaxseed and the Primrose have been shown in some studies to be beneficial, actually preventing bc, vs stimulating it.

How'd they come up with the spelling for ophthomologist anyway?? Very silly looking.

I don't/won't grind my Flaxseed. Too much like cooking. I resigned from that activity eons ago...
Andi

Bill · 02-06-2008, 08:21 PM

I don't know about this one. Way too technical for me ( I think Jean is a closet propeller-head) As I read the posts, I just pictured myself sharing a bag of salt and vinegar chips with Marejo on her confusion couch, trying not to think too much. Marejo says, "what do you think about all this, Bill?" I say, "I don't know, maybe we need some french onion dip to go with these chips, I'll be right back."

Jean · 02-06-2008, 09:20 PM

Oh Bill,
You caught me....

Ha ha ha
Jean

R.B. · 02-07-2008, 03:35 AM

jaybt

Omega 3s play a big part in mental function. Some argue excess Omega 6 is detrimental. GLA figues but is arguably lower in the pecking order than DHA and EPA, and is an Omega 6 so must be considered in terms of overall fat intake.

Brain Building Nutrition Michael A Schmidt is a useful read. There is also a book by Andrew Stroll. They are both available new or s/h on the web.

You might like to search flax seed and flaxseed on this forum. There are those that argue that flaxseed is beneficial.

You might also like to look at the greek diet thread - see above.

There are also some posts on GLA and evening primrose oil other sources points to consider etc.

All of the above contain material that if of interest you can print and take to discuss with your onc.

I am sorry there is quite a lot of reading. There are no definitive answers that are widely agreed, and hence it is not possible to make definitive recommendations.

RB

jaybt · 02-07-2008, 05:47 PM

Thanks RB for your help. I agree, there is SO much out there to read. A lot of it confusing too, particularly when you start looking at the stuff peddled by the companies that make the vitamin supplements. I will check out the books you suggest to get a broader view.
It a juggling act to get that balance of what's good for you and will help. I think the onc was suggesting primose oil as I have neuropathy since chemo and my diabetes does not help with the nerve damage. Apparently primose oil can be beneficial.
I have since got a list of products that contain hormones from a cancer agency and primose oil is one of them, so I will take this up with my onc.

Vanessa · 02-07-2008, 07:58 PM

I put my flaxseed in a pepper grinder and and grind it directly on oatmeal and other foods. It makes it very easy and it is supposed to be better freshly ground.

Becky · 02-07-2008, 08:09 PM

That's a great idea Vanessa. It is supposed to be freshly ground because it goes rancid (the oils) so quickly which is why the oil is refrigerated.

I use flax sparingly because I am ER+ but I am only 50% and PR neg and feel that flax (and soy) can be used with due moderation for hormone positive women. I was not a soy eater prior to bc (ate it in Chinese food but that's about it). Use flax one or two times a week (about 1-2 Tablespoons of ground) but I think it is a great food to incorporate into your diet regardless of hormone status. But the jury is out on hormone status if positive so don't pig out daily on flax and soy.

harrie · 02-08-2008, 12:34 AM

Yep, that was pretty funny Bill......"hot-------flasher"!!! Glad you could give us a smile!!!
Harrie

R.B. · 02-08-2008, 04:04 PM

Jaybt

Please ensure you discuss dietary change and fish oil with your doctor if of interest.

It is complex and not easy to explain in a post but fats are fundamental to body function which is why there is common ground to much of this. I have been putting this all into a book of a non expert lay perspective based on much reading. It is close to completion and should be available fairly shortly.

This is a good search resource. You don't have to understand it all just see which way the wind is blowing.

Eg enter DHA and diabetes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

This is one result for diabetes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

The role of consumption of alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in human metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes--a mini-review.
Barre DE.

Nutrition, Department of Health Studies, School of Education, Health and Wellness, Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia, Canada. ed_barre@capebretonu.ca

"There is some evidence that EPA and/or DHA consumption, but no published evidence that ALA reduces conversion of metabolic syndrome to type 2 diabetes and reduces death rates due to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes."

And one for neuropathy

Neuroprotective effect of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids in experimental diabetic neuropathy.
Coste TC, Gerbi A, Vague P, Pieroni G, Raccah D.

UPRES EA 2193, Faculte de Medecine Timone, Marseille, France. Thierry.Coste@medecine.univ-mrs.fr

"These results demonstrate a protective effect of daily doses of DHA on experimental diabetic neuropathy. Thus, treatment with DHA phospholipids could be suitable for evaluation in clinical trials."