Flax Seed: Could a 'Waste Product' be the Cancer-Fighting Breakthrough of the Century?

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A recent article, published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, evaluated current research on flax seed and any potential benefits it may have against diabetes and certain cancers. Researchers from Canada, England and China, found that flax seed lignans appear to offer protection against breast, prostate, colon, and skin cancers. They also found that the soluble fibre flax seed lignans contain could help maintain steady blood sugar levels.

Premium members of our monthly journal, Health Sciences Institute, will remember that we first wrote about the astounding cancer-fighting abilities of flax seed lignans back in September 2008. Now, almost 2 years later, it seems as if the medical mainstream is finally catching on to this potential cancer treatment breakthrough.

Flax Seed: The ‘waste product’ made good

Flax seed lignans are not flax seed, instead they are concentrated directly – using a special process – from flax seed shells, or hulls, which typically don’t make it into the bags of flax seed in the store. Which is a shame, because it turns out the vast majority of the disease- fighting lignans in the flax seed are located in the hull that encases the seed – one teaspoon contains the nutritional equivalent of two gallons of flax seed. Yes, gallons. And flax seed oil? Forget it. There are practically no lignans contained in the oil.

Lignans are a group of chemical compounds found in plants. They’re one of the major classes of phyto-oestrogens, which are chemicals that act as antioxidants. Flax seed is the richest source of lignans, containing up to 800 times more than any other plant source. There are 27 different lignans in the flax seed and researchers believe they all work together to provide amazing health benefits.

The major lignan in flax seed is called secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). It’s actually a lignan precursor, which means its power isn’t unlocked until it is metabolized by your body. In the intestines, SDG becomes two lignans. As HSI discovered in the course of our research, there’s not much these lignans can’t do when it comes to maintaining good health.

In addition to their lignan content, flax seed hulls contain high levels of omega-3s, as well as off-the-charts antioxidants. To put it in perspective – kale has one of the highest ORAC values (a measurement of antioxidant content) at 1,770 per 100 grams. Flax seed lignans come in at a whopping 19,600 per 100 grams. The hulls also contain 4.3g of fibre and 2.8g of protein in each tablespoon.

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Flax Seed: Pick your benefit from cancer-buster to heart-protector

While the nutritional value of flax seed lignans certainly is a bonus, its true value is in its promise as a potent cancer-killer.

One of the most exciting cancer studies was carried out in Canada on a group of postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Each day for a month, the women in the test group ate a flax seed muffin containing a predetermined concentration of SDG. After only one month, the growth of the cancer cells was reduced by 34.2 per cent. Even better, 31 per cent of cancer cells were completely killed, and the expression of the cancer growth receptor Her2 (c-erB2) – which causes tumours to grow more quickly and become more aggressive – decreased by 71 per cent.

And, according to studies with human colon cancer cells, lignans stunt the growth of tumour cells and actually drive them to what can only be described as ‘mass suicide’.

Even the Mayo Clinic, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Cancer Society acknowledge the cancer-fighting power of flax seed lignans. The Mayo Clinic says flax seed lignans may inhibit the growth of certain breast cancers and the American Cancer Society cites a study in which the growth rate of cancer cells was slowed down in men suffering from prostate cancer.

Perhaps the most surprising is the support flax seed lignans is getting from the FDA. They have sated that flax seed lignans have anti-tumour activity and are potentially the richest source of phyto-oestrogens and that their significant ability to prevent cancer is recognized by the National Cancer Institute.

But flax seed lignans power to fight cancer is just the beginning of its health benefit repertoire.

Animal studies have shown that flax lignans can suppress the development of atherosclerosis (chronic inflammation of the arteries due to an accumulation of plaque) in addition to lowering cholesterol levels.

In a study involving Native American postmenopausal women, it was found that flax seed lowered LDL cholesterol by 10 per cent. Mind you, that was just with flax seed, not the nutritionally-rich hulls.

Flax Seed: More benefits for prostate health and even the flu

A recent animal study demonstrated that flax lignans could also reduce prostate size. Rats given the human equivalent of 50mg per day of SDG had significantly smaller prostates than those without the SDG supplementation. The SDG didn’t just stop prostate growth – it actually helped reduce the size of the prostate.

Lee, who describes himself as having a “bad prostate,” has been using flax seed lignans for a couple of months. He’s been making less and less trips to the toilet in the middle of the night, and says he generally feels better.

Though there are no conclusive studies concerning flax lignans and prostate cancer, there are a few that are promising. In a trial using mice, flax inhibited the growth and development of prostate cancer.

In a study of 25 men who were scheduled for prostatectomy, supplementation with flax brought significant changes in serum cholesterol, total testosterone, and the free androgen index. Researchers concluded that flax seed lignans may be a very beneficial food for men battling prostate cancer.

Not only that but flax hull lignans can help boost immunity and are showing promise against both HIV and influenza.

Flax Seed - Related Reading:

Prostate cancer: The flaxseed paradox

Omega 3s - Fish Oil and Flax Oil Explained

Prostate cancer: The low down on flaxseed and prostate cancer

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Sources:

Review backs flaxseed lignans' cancer fighting potential, published online 03.05.10, nutraingredients.com

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AIDS Research Assistance Institute