Flaxseed vs Tamoxifen
This may have been discussed already, but I have heard a few times that flaxseed is actually better at blocking the estrogen receptors on cancer cells than Tamoxifen. I have also heard that taking it in conjunction with Tamox makes the Tamox more effective. I am going to start adding 3 TBsp ground flaxseed into my morning smoothie. Any opinions? Anyone else hear the same thing?
Comments
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I have heard that flaxseed is excellent for women who have had breast cancer. I put a tablespoon or two on my cereal every day and I put it in rice, on meat, in salads...everywhere... a bit hard on the digestive system somedays though...they do not break down easily so I ry to buy the seeds that are hulled
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Does Flaxseed oil count? I've been taking 1000mgs daily since August; I was diagnosed in December. I think I need to do some research on this...
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I sprinkle ground flaxseed on my oatmeal every morning - love it. I noticed a huge decrease in monthly breast tenderness after I started using it. Don't know if that means anything either way but it's a plus as far as I'm concerned!
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I heard that Flaxseed Oil doesn't count for these purposes, but that it still very good for you.
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Morning Gals! Hi Sandee!........You know I stopped taking Tamoxifen, & I have also heard of the Flax-seed benefits! I cook my own whole wheat...(for hours) or buy the cracked-wheat, & add a couple tablespoons of the Flax meal to the cereal....along with Blue-berries or Strawberries.... I'm going to ask the Oncologist today, about her thoughts on the No-tamoxifen, no ANYthing, but just all the vitamins I take....
At MY age, what the heck! xoxoxo
Oh, by the way, I put the flax seed in the coffee-grinder, or just buy the flax meal...I had heard we don't digest the seed, very well...
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It's hard for me to believe the amount of oil extracted from seeds in food would have an effect equivalent to Tamoxifen, but I sure hope I am wrong.
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I'll get the studies and post them. I have heard about this from a few people at this point.
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I've always taken a Teaspoon of flaxseed oil with my morning oatmeal. It did'nt keep me from getting the cancer, but I still take it because it's good for me, and who knows maybe it's why mine was so slow growing?
Please post the study, I'd love to read it!
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I am very curious if I should stop the Flaxseed oil, start Flaxseed meal, or stop it completely! I am ER+/PR+ and have read conflicting reports on the efficacy of Flaxseed oil on estrogen/progesterone positive cancer.
SWEETBEAN yes, please post the study when you can, would love to read it!
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I'm ER+/PR+, on tamoxifen, and my Oncologist said to go easy on the soy, but that flaxseed was fine. Also had a friend with a more advanced stage of breast cancer who got treated at Sloan Kettering and she was very aggressive about treating her cancer and ridding her body of estrogen, yet she used flaxseed, said it was recommended by her doctors.
I attended a conference 2 years ago about natural alternatives and I learned that flaxseed, being an Omega 3 helps crowd out the bad fats and also being a phytoestrogen, helps crowd out the bad estrogens. It also keeps the digestive system moving. In my mind, this is a triple benefit, so I use it regularly. The only question that I wonder about is if it helps the tamoxifen by catching the estrogen that tamox might miss or if it competes with tamoxifen and gets into the cells, thereby exerting its mild estrogenic effect. Either way, the phytoestrogen effect is so much milder than the bodily estrogens, so I don't worry about it.
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Morning gals....I just found this.... It's kind of technical, but maybe if I read it about 20 times, it will make more sense!
http://www.flaxhealth.com/breastcancerupdate.htm
Also, http://breastcancer.about.com/od/cancerfightingfoods/a/flaxseeds.htm
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You know, my understanding on phytoestrogens like flaxseed and soy is that they have just enough estrogen to fool the cancer without having enough estrogen to actually feed it. They fill in the estrogen receptors, like filling a lock with gum. (Incidentally, that is also the way that Tamoxifen works - if I read one more post about how Tamoxifen is like chemo and attacks fast-growing cells, I'm going to poke my eye out. But I digress.) I wonder if soy and flaxseed could be more beneficial than Tamox because they are natural and the cancer cells are less likely to mutate into a hormone negative form. Just a thought....I'm supposed to go on Tamox at some point and I will definitely be supplementing with flaxseed when I do.
Dr. Block has an interesting article on soy in his blog www.lifeovercancerblog.com.
Also, thank you Chevyboy, for the links. If anyone is wondering how many tablespoons of flaxseed are in 25 grams (the amount in the study), it is 2-3Tbsp.
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sweetbean - HAHA, don't poke your eyes out! I've been on Tamoxifen since Jan. 1st, would LOVE it if flaxseed was more effective than Tamox, but still a little worried about the ER+ thing. Did you ever find the articles you saw that said that?
Chevy - thanks for those links. I added them to my collection - LOL!
Rose - I'm wondering if the flaxseed might compete with Tamox, too. Don't want anybody to lose out!
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Sandeeonherown: If you're eating the whole flax seeds, they will go right through you without providing any benefit. Your digestive system is not able to break them down. The best way is to eat ground flaxseed, which releases the lignans.
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Thanks for the links ladies. Very interesting. I'm still unsure if it means it is best to be careful taking it if ER+. I am on Tamoxifen, but as long as the flaxseed would not increase the estrogen, it sounds like it might be good. Where on earth do you find this stuff anyhow? Do you have to get it at a healthfood store? I'm all for trying some natural additions to what my onco prescribes, since I believe diet and enviromental plays such a big factor. Is there any bread manufacturers that make it with flaxseed in there? Does it add any taste to your oatmeal?
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Hi Anetnut, I get my flax seed from health food stores near me and I either buy whole and grind as I go or already ground that comes in a vacuum pack and I keep it in the freezer (the whole ones I buy also come in a vacuum pack as well and it's my understanding that especially once ground, it can go rancid pretty fast and degrade it's effectiveness so I buy a medium amount at a time). I've also read to stay away from bulk flax as it's probably already rancid anyway. I add it to oatmeal and smoothies and find that it doesn't affect the taste at all. Depending on my diet, I sometimes don't eat it every day, and I don't want to go overboard anyway. My Onc doesn't want me on it at all (says the oil is fine), but I don't stay away from it OR go crazy on it, I figure it can help if used moderately and from what I've read, it should have more of a positive effect. My ND wants me on it as well. Hope this helps.
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Several studies have done to determine how phyoestrogen in flaxseed may help cancer.I understand that a macrobiotic diet that includes flaxseed will be beneficial during and after breast cancer therapy
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I'm really on the fence about the flaxseed. I use to take tbs per day in a smoothie with chia seed, wheat germ, protein powder, juice and fruit. Oh and physillum husk. It was an Dr. Oz ( love that guy) smoothie. I took it for about 18 months but...it was during those 18 months I noticed the lump in my breast getting bigger and bigger. It had been looked at earlier but was "normal breast tissue". My medical care has been ONE BIG SCREW UP. But that is a different thread.
Now I am wary of flaxseed but could really use my smoothie!
Might go today and buy some fresh ground flaxseed and start again.
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HI Ladies,
This has been a hot topic on some other threads. There are many who believe that flax being a phytoestrogen is not good for those with BC. I was made fun of by a member who thought that everyone should know flaxseed(s)/oil is a no no for those with BC. I was recommending it to a member who was complaining of dry eyes, since it is so useful for many parts of the body. No Dr. has told me not to take it and I will continue to use it.
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I think the jury is still out re flaxseed -- some studies in favour (esp for prostate cancer) and some other studies against. I was taking ground flaxseed in my morning smoothie, but an organic vineyard in our area starting packaging finely ground grape powder (made from the seeds and skins) which is chockfull of antioxidants - so that goes in my smoothie, along with blueberries, strawberries, banana, liquid D3, yogurt, cinnamon and low fat milk.
But Timerdog -- if you use chia seeds, you don't need flax. In fact, many people have replaced the flax with chia, simply because of those conflicting studies!
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I am on the fence with this as well. Once dx'd with stage iv, it kinda tossed everything I had thought about keeping bc away right out the window. I started over in the eating habits area with a nutritionist at my clinic and pretty much rid my diet of gluten (preventing joint pain associated with many al's), soy (just not good for bd), grapefruit and grapefruit juice (used to drink it by the gallons but now it is contraindicated with my medication), and added tons of calcium-rich foods yogurt, cheeses, whole milk (I have bone mets), fruits (mostly 'red' fruits, including tomatoes), steamed veggies (less energy to digest but little impact on nutrition content), more fish, and cut out white overprocessed foods. Where does flax fit? It doesn't but the deep concord grapes do!
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I'm confused and concerned about the conflicting information I've read in these posts. I was told by my surgeon and onc to limit my consumption of soy (edamame, tofu, etc.) to one serving per day but that the amounts used in foods (soy is in EVERYTHING-listed under other names as well) is not necessarily harmful. I did a bit of research on phytoestrogens and found that flax seed has a higher phytoestrogen content than soy. Who do you believe? Although I've changed my eating habits (I definately eat much healthier since my dx), shopping has become quite a chore. And, if I don't have my glasses to read the ingredients of everything (I tend to overcompensate-I need control over something), I make a lot of friends. Hey, can you tell me if there's soy in this? Sorry, off on a tangent. Where have you all been reading up on this? I'd like to read more studies.
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Like timerdog, I was a big flaxseed/oil consumer before I noticed my lump, and I waited several months before I went in, feeling it grow (as I continued to consume flaxseed). I'm wary of it now.
Jenny
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Hello,
I listened to CD's titled "Cancer Free" by Bill Henderson and he discusses the benefits of flax seed oil mixed into cottage cheese so that it is properly absorbed into the body. Although he is not a doctor, he has researched cancer for many years and doctors are quoted in his book/cds. I learned a lot from it. It may answer your question and give you even more insight!!!
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I keep hear conflicting info on this. This book said that flaxseed helps if you're on tamoxifen. (my MO's nutritionist said that these authors/docs are credible sources)
http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Guide-Cancer-3rd-Integrative/dp/1587613581
My understanding (from a different source) is that flaxseeds work differently than soy; the estrogen binds to the lignans and is moved out of your system more quickly.
The only downside/contraindication I've read is that since flaxseeds are high in fiber, you don't want to take them at the same time at tamoxifen. Suggestion I read (from my MO's nutritionist): wait at least one hour after taking tamoxifen before using flaxseed OR if you've already eaten flaxseed, wait two hours before taking tamoxifen. (this applies to some other meds as well).
Is this consistent with what other have heard? If you've heard the opposite, can you post your sources so I can do more research? Thanks -
Like Jenny and timerdog, my cancer grew and grew like crazy when I was faithfully following the Budwig protocol, which is flaxseed oil mixed with cottage cheese, ground flaxseed, and other dietary and lifestyle requirements. I'm ER+/PR+ and HER2-. I'm never letting flax anywhere near me now.
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Hello Dear Ladies;
Right now I am taking flaxseed ground in the morning. I had ER + and began flax right after diagnosis. My estrogen levels while I was on female hormones was only65. I was put on female hormones for seizures. The Flax oil cured my seizures totally! Wow.
Then on the flax seed oil it came up to 83. Dissapointing, I began tamoxifen and then it all came down to <2 estradial, then <10 estrial and <26 estrone. Then I began having depression due to tamoxifen;- really bad depression. I went to half a tab of tamoxifen. And very inconsistant on tam. So now my total estrogen is up to 50. I am wanting to know the estradial that is the one that is the most implicated in breast cancer. I called the oncologist today I am unsure what to do, Looks like I may need arimidex unless I can get another estrogen panel. The flax oil raised my estrogen levels and wanted to let you all know. However all the studies show it lowers estradial. I am staying on it.
blessings to all
Marcia
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Hello Ladies
Here is one of the studies among many. I am still not sure now about flaxseed if I did not take Tam with it and I cannot tolerate tam too much more.
http://www.cancerrd.com/faqs/faq77.htm
blessings
Marcia
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I might be crazy but I heard that Flaxseed is a phytoestrogen and was told not to take it. I am curious where everyone is getting their information. Good topic. thx
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I took a nutrition session at the Cancer center before starting chemo.The literature they provided stated that for ER+ Flax Oil is fine but flaxseed should only be used in moderation due to the large amount of lignan. 1tbsp/day maximum. Soy foods in moderation ie: 2-3 serving/week. No soy pills or powders.
That was 2 years ago so I'm sure lots has changed. What's bad one day is good the next and vice-versa. I sometimes think it's all a crapshoot.
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