FLAX SEED LOWERS RISK OF BC

Makraz:  I've been taking ground flaxseed for about a year now (since dx) and I think the biggest noticeable benefit is in keeping me regular!  I include a tbsp in my morning fruit smoothie and also substitute about 1/4 of whole wheat flour with it in my date muffin recipe.  By the way, I've also been reading about the nutrional value of dates -- chockfull of good stuff!

Have been doing a lot of reading about flaxseed (from reputable sources) and I sincerely believe that anyone worried about the phytoestrogens in it shoudn't be worried in the least. 

Cheers!

Linda

Hollyann:  Might I respectfully suggest that you go back to your nutritionist and ask her to look up scientific research studies done by Dr. Lillian Thompson at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Paul Goss, now at Mass General (previously at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto) on flaxseed.

The lignans in flaxseed "resemble" phytoestrogens in that they have a chemical similarity.  However, because of this similarity, it appears that they actually fit into estrogen receptors on cells and block the estrogen from stimulating cellular activity (in other words, cells multiplying).

Phytoestrogens are thus called because they originate from a plant source -- they don't make estrogen in our bodies.  There are concerns about other phytoestrogens such as those found in soy -- but it seems pretty clear that flax is not a problem. In fact, there are several respected studies -- in Toronto and at Duke University, to name just two -- that demonstrate flax provides a reduced risk of both breast and prostate cancer.

Linda

Linda,

I have read the same things about flax as well.  I was at my ONC today and told her I was still eating it.  She has no problem with it.  Soy is a different kind of phytoestrogen, something that is unhealthy for people who are ER+.

I will keep eating it!

Linda AKA Makraz

That's awesome, nosurrender!!  That's what I like to hear!!  I wish you many, many more heathly years!!

Holllyann,

Thanks for sharing that.  It's good to hear another nutritionist agree's.  I'm still eating my flax daily.  I actually bought some cottage cheese too and guess what?  I still absolutely HATE cottage cheese.  At least I tried!  Best of luck to you.

Hey Pam

Yes, I store mine in the fridge, which is what is recommended.  I throw a couple tablespoons in the coffee grinder and add it to my food.  I'll put about one tablespoon in my yogurt and add the rest to other things I'm eating!  I love it on salad and I often use it when I'm baking!

Pam,

I used Milled everyday.  I use to grind my own but sometimes it got too time consuming so I wouldn't use it.  Now I keep a container of milled flax in the fridge and use it often.

Good luck with it!

I buy a brand of finely ground flaxseed by Omega Nutrition called Hi-Lignan Nutri-Flax, certified organic.  It's a Canadian product; not sure if it's available in the U.S.  I purchase it in the healthfood section of my grocery store.   I put a tbsp in my morning fruit smoothie, and also substitute 1/4 whole wheat flour with it in muffin and datebread recipes.

So much easier than grinding it every day! 

Linda

Makraz,

I've been taking 2T ground flaxseed each a.m. since 1998, when Dr. Bob Arnot came out with his book The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet. I started it for breast health (the whole estrogen receptor blocker thing) & look what I got in 2008. But, I do believe that was not the cause or that it even helped facilitate the bc. I believe that was a result of Prempro that I took for 8 1/2 years.

I continue taking flaxseed & have seen no evidence conclusive enough to make me stop. It helps the digestive tract & has those great Omega-3's. I buy the already ground seed & keep it in the freezer; I add some water to 2 T in a small cup & drink it down every morning. I take whatever I need when I travel, use whatever freezer I am near to store it in.

I've been meaning to post on the Alternative, etc forum to check & see what everyone else thought about flaxseed & who used it & who didn't. Was lurking around & found this thread so thought I'd answer your, "Anyone still out there??" holler.

Val

Hi all, I am another Flaxseed Junkie.

I have had a flaxseed muffin daily ( RED MILL Flax-already ground up that I keep in Freezer) since my stage III bc dx June 05.

I also supplement with Flaxseed Oil capsules daily.

In reading the article, I noticed Sesame seeds have similar properties. I love both and use both after putting them in the grinder.