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New Meds That Heal |
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Preventing Breast Cancer
With flaxseed Oil
by Jade Beutler
1 R.R. T .1
R.C.P . |
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"Women
with the highest breast tissue
content of Omega-3 found in flax oil, have the lowest incidence 0{
breast cancer and ~etastasis."
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The threat of breast cancer
has become a national health concern. It is estimated that one in
eight women will now be amicted with this potentially disfiguring and
sometimes fatal disease. According to Dr. Ross Pelton, author of
Preventing Breast Cancer, the largest misconception among women is
that if they do not have a family history of breast cancer, they are
at low risk. This myth is simply untrue. Dr. Pelton elaborates, in
stating that the majority of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer
are in women with no family history of the disease. While mammography
and self- examination are effective tools in detecting the presence of
a lump, a cancer may be present for as long escalating rate of breast
cancer.
Nature's Answer to Breast
Cancer
The National Cancer
Institute has begun to focus on diet as a preventative measure to
avoid certain cancers. It has been found that certain fruits,
vegetables and grains possess potent cancer fighting and protective
compounds known as phyto-nutrients (naturally occurring and non-toxic
plant chemicals).
Perhaps the most powerful
phyto-nutrient plant food discovered to date is flaxseed. This ancient
grain contains a phyto-nutrient called lignan, that once ingested is
converted to compounds that compete with estrogen for binding sites on
estrogen receptors. The net result is a flushing of excess estrogen
(linked to high incidence of colon and breast cancer) from the body.
Ironically, lignans may someday replace the need for estrogen therapy
in post menopausal women due to the fact that they resemble estrogen
on the receptor site, but without the potential risks of estrogen
therapy.
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Lignans in Flaxseed Possess the Following Attributes:
.Anti-tumor
.Anti-estrogenic abilities .Estrogen-Mimicking Effect
without risks
associated with estroge therapy.
.Powerful Antioxidant C.aPabilities
.Anti-viral properties .Anti-bacterial properties .Anti-fungal
properties
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As four years, undetectable
by palpation or X-ray. Standard medical treatment for breast cancer
includes lumpectomy (partial removal of the breast), mastectomy (
total removal of the breast), chemotherapy and radiation. While
sometimes effective in ameliorating the disease, the results of
standard medical treatment alone can be devastating to the psyche of
women and their overall health. In this light, an aggressive
preventative approach appears to be the most humane and effective means
in controlling.
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Women consuming lignan-
rich flaxseed oil products generally report a reduction in breast
tenderness, bloating, hot flashes and other symptoms related to PMS
and menopause. Lignans in flaxseed also regulate women's menstrual
cycle. In one study, women consuming lignans in flaxseed did not miss
a single cycle, compared to the
control group that missed several cycles. In addition to lignans anti-
tumor and estrogen mimicking capabilities, they have also been found
to be powerful antioxidants, possessing
anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and
anti- fungal properties.
The cancer protective
effects of flaxseed do not stop here. Flaxseed oil has also been studied for its possible
preventative and protective effects against breast and other cancers.
A study of one hundred and twenty women revealed that those with the
highest breast tissue content of an Omega-3 fatty acid found most
abundantly in flaxseed oil had the lowest incidence of breast cancer.
Of the women in the test group that had the
misfortune of
contracting breast cancer, the women with the highest Omega- 3
in breast tissue also had the lowest incidence of metastasis
(cancer spreading from breast to other vital tissues and
organs). This fact may offer hope for women that are currently
battling breast cancer and wishing to prevent metastasis.
Many women
report the unexpected benefit of improved nail strength,
improved skin texture and appearance, lustrous shiny hair and
lack of cravings for fat-laden and junk foods when
supplementing their diet with flaxseed oil.
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A Consumers Guide to Choosing the Right Product
To appreciate the dual protective effect of lignans and flaxseed
oil, it is imperative that consumers recognize and purchase the
right products. Flaxseed oil is typically found in the
refrigerated section of the supplements department in your
favorite health food store. Look for flaxseed oil products that
are labeled as Lignan Rich. Due to flaxseed oils limited shelf
life, it
is important that you choose products with both a pressing date
and a best before date that does not exceed a 4 month . span.
Flaxseed oil products that have been Fresh ExPressed
ensure you that the oil was
gently expeller pressed without filtration or refinement. Fresh
ExPressed oils are made to order for health food stores and sent
manufacturer-direct arriving just days after being made. |
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Benefits of Lignan Rich Flaxseed Oil
.Prevention of Estrogen Related Cancers
.Prevention of Metastasis of Cancerous Tumors
.Reduction in Hot Flashes |
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.Reduction
in Bloating .Reduction in Breast
Tenderness
.Regulation of Menstrual Cycle .
Improved Nail Strength .
Improvement in Skin Texture and Appearance
.Improvement in Hair Sheen and Appearance
.Lack of
Cravings for Fat-Laden and Junk Foods |
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Recommenced Daily Dosage Dr. Pelton recommends that
every woman, regardless of familial history of breast cancer,
consume at least one tablespoon of Lignan Rich flaxseed oil a
day as a major preventative measure against the disease. A
breast cancer support group in Sacramento California has taken
Dr. Pelton's advice in an effort to prevent reoccurrence and
metastasis (spreading) of breast cancer. |
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References:
.Thompson LU, et al.: Mammalian lignan production from various
foods. Nutr Cancer 16:43-52,1991.
.Setchell
KDR and Adlercreutz H: Mammalian lignans and phytoestrogens:
Recent studies on their formation, metabolism, and biological
role in health and disease. Role of Gut Flora in Toxicology and
Cancer, Rowland IR (ed.). Academic Press, London, UK, 1988,
pp315-43.
.Lampe
JW, et al.: Urinary lignan and isoflavonoid excretion in
premenopausal women consuming flaxseed powder. Am J Clin Nutr
60: 122-8, 1994.
.Serraino
M and Thompson LU: The effect of flaxseed on early risk markers
for mammary carcinogenesis. Cancer Letters 60:135-42, 1991.
.Serraino
M and Thompson LU: Flaxseed supplementation and early markers of
colon carcinogenesis. Cancer Letters 63: 159-65, 1992.
.Serraino
M and Thompson LU: The effect of flaxseed supplementation on the
initiation and promotional stages of mammary tumorigenesis. Nutr
Cancer 17:153-9, 1992. .Adlercreutz H, et al.: Determination of
urinary lignans and phytoestrogen metabolites, potential
antiestrogens and anticarcinogens, in urine of women in
various habitual diets. J Steroid Biochem 25:791-7, 1986.
.Bougnoix
P, et al.: Alpha-linolenic acid |
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content of adipose breast tissue: A host determinant of the risk
of early metastasis in breast cancer. Br J Cancer 70'330-4,
1994. .Rose DP and Hatala MA: Dietary fatty acids and breast
cancer invasion and metastasis. Nutr Cancer 21: 103-11' 1994.
.Kelley DS: Alpha-linolenic acid and immune response. Nutrition
8:215-7, 1992. .Benquet C, et al.: Modulation of exercise-
induced immunosuppression by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids
in mice. J Toxicol Environ Health 43:225-37, 1994. |
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Mr. Jade
Beutler is a licensed health care practitioner with over a
decade of hospital and clinical
experience
in adult and neonatal intensive care, pediatric and emergency
medicine. He has devoted the last 8 years to an intensive study
of health and nutrition. He has culminated his research in two
newly released books, Understandin~ ~'ats and Oils, Your
Guide to Healin~ with Essential Fatt): Acids and
Flax For
Life. |
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Provided Courtesy of Barlean's Organic Oils Reprinted with permission from
Progressive Health Publishing
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Lignans
in Flaxseed Possess the Following Attributes: .Anti-tumor
.Anti-estrogenic abilities .Estrogen-Mimicking Effect |
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