|
Maintaining Extraordinary Breast Health
with Lignans
by Christine Horner M.D. – Doctor’s Prescription for Healthy Living Article
Breast cancer strikes fear in most American women—and for
good reason. In this country, this deadly disease has hit epidemic
proportions. Western medicine advises us to get yearly mammograms and to do
monthly self-breast exams in an effort to catch the disease at a relatively
early stage. The intent is to try to save lives—which this does. But, these
measures are not prevention. They do nothing to protect us from getting this
horrendous disease in the first place. As a surgeon who took care of breast
cancer patients, I know that there is nothing more devastating than the
diagnosis of breast cancer—no matter at what stage it may be found.
Tragically, Western medicine has not made prevention a priority, so few
women and doctors are aware of the measures that can offer effective
protection. Given these facts, it is not surprising that most women feel
powerless in their ability to lower their risk.
After my own mother died from breast cancer in 1994, I was
determined to find out what I could do to minimize my chances of the same
fate. So I turned to the medical literature for answers. There, I found
thousands of studies documenting dozens of approaches that can dramatically
lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer and help those who have it, fight it.
One of the most impressive is flaxseed. Flaxseeds contain several
extraordinary properties that make them exceptional at warding off breast
cancer. Their most notable quality—they contain 100 times more
cancer-fighting lignans than any other known edible plant! Just two to three
tablespoons of ground flaxseeds a day, or one capsule of the all-natural
flax lignan supplement called Brevail®, can
deter and arrest the growth of breast cancer in over a dozen different ways.
14 Ways That Lignans Protect
- Helps lower the production of estrogen
Estrogen has been directly linked to the growth of breast cancer. The
more estrogen a woman is exposed to over her lifetime, the higher her risk
of breast cancer is. Aromatase is an enzyme involved in the production of
estrogen. If this enzyme is blocked, the level of estrogen in the body
will go down and so will the risk of breast cancer. This is exactly how
the anti-breast cancer drug Arimidex works. Lignans block the aromatase
enzyme too. Researchers at the University of Toronto in a 2005 study
reported that lignans inhibit the aromatase enzyme.
- Blocks the estrogen receptor similar to Tamoxifen
Lignans are considered a phytoestrogen or plant estrogen. They act as very
weak estrogens and may block the estrogen receptors in the breast from
stronger cancer-stimulating estrogens in a similar way to the drug
Tamoxifen.
- Creates more of a “good” protective type of estrogen
Estrogen is metabolized in the liver and broken down into three
different metabolites: 2-OH estrone, 4-OH estrone and 16-alpha OH estrone.
The 2-OH estrone is considered a “good” kind of estrogen because it does
not stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Whereas the 4-OH and
16-alpha OH estrones do—that’s why they are considered “bad” types of
estrogen. Lignans influence how estrogen breaks down and help to create
more of the “good” kind of estrogen and less of the “bad.”
- Helps make breast tissue more resistant to the
damaging effects of environmental toxins
Researchers have found that the architecture of the breast can vary.
The foods we eat have a direct effect on its structure. Certain states are
more susceptible to damage by toxins and carcinogens while others are more
resistant. When the breast tissue is in a well-differentiated condition,
it is the most resistant to damage. In a study conducted by W.E. Ward and
Lillian Thompson at the University of Toronto, rats developed the most
differentiated breast tissue when fed purified lignans.
- Helps stop tumor cell growth
In a study conducted at the University of Florida and published in
2002, two types of lignans found in flaxseeds called enterodiol and
enterolactone were found to inhibit the growth of both breast and colon
cancer cells.
- Helps lower chances of metastasis
When tumors metastasize or spread to other areas of the body, the
chances of surviving drastically fall. Studies show that flaxseeds—high in
dietary lignans—may substantially decrease the incidence of metastasis. In
a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in 2002, rats fed a
diet high in flaxseeds had an 82 percent lower incidence of lung
metastasis compared to the controls.
- May decrease IGF-1
There are several different growth factors naturally produced by the
body that research shows accelerate the growth of breast cancer. One of
the most significant is insulin-like growth factor or IGF-1. In a study
published in the Lancet in 1998, researcher Susan Hankinson found that
premenopausal women with the highest levels of IGF-1 in their blood had a
700 percent higher risk of breast cancer. Our diet and activities
influence the level of IGF-1 in our bodies and studies show that lignans
may lower IGF-1 levels.
- May decrease epidermal growth factor
The breast tissue is formed in the embryo from epidermal tissue.
Epidermal growth factor causes tissues of epidermal origin to grow
including breast cells and breast cancer cells. Increased levels of
epidermal growth factor are associated with a higher risk of breast
cancer. Lignans can lower those levels.
- May block new blood vessel growth into tumors
For tumors to grow larger, they must have new blood vessels growing
into them to supply them with more oxygen and nutrients. New blood vessel
growth—also referred to as angiogenesis—is stimulated by a growth factor
called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenesis can be
blocked if VEGF is inhibited—something the lignans in flaxseeds may do.
According to a study published in Cancer Letters in 2002, animals fed a
supplement of 10 percent flaxseeds were found to have a significantly
decreased level of VEGF.
- Lengthens the menstrual cycle
With each menstrual period a surge of estradiol, the strongest and
most abundant type of natural estrogen and the one most associated with an
increased risk of breast cancer, is released. The more menstrual periods a
woman has over her lifetime, the more estradiol she produces, and the
higher her risk of breast cancer. If a woman’s period, for example, is
lengthened from 28 days to every 32 days, the number of periods she will
have over her lifetime will be lower and so will her risk of breast
cancer. A 1993 study conducted at the University of Rochester found that
lignan consumption prolonged the luteal phase of ovulation causing the
menstrual cycles to lengthen.
- Enhances the effectiveness of Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is commonly given to breast cancer patients to lower their
risk of recurrent cancer. Flax lignans have been found to enhance the
anticancer effects of Tamoxifen. Researchers J. Chen and Lilian Thompson
in a study published in 2003 documented that Tamoxifen had a greater
inhibitory effect on breast cancer cell adhesion, invasion and
migration—all important properties that contribute to the ability of a
tumor to spread to other parts of the body—when combined with lignans.
- Antioxidant
Excess oxygen free radicals can cause damage to our DNA that can lead to
cancer. Their damage can be minimized with antioxidants—substances that
neutralize excess oxygen free radicals. A Canadian study published in the
journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry in 1999 found that the
flaxseed lignan SDG (secoisolariciresinol glucoside), even at low doses,
demonstrated good antioxidant activity.
- Helps restore healthy inflammation levels
Inflammation has now been recognized as a key contributor to a variety
of chronic disorders including heart disease and cancer. Anti-inflammatories
can help to quell this process. In a study conducted at Gazi University in
Ankara, Turkey and published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2003,
lignans were found to have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
- Improves glucose levels and insulin resistance
Glucose is the preferred food for cancer. Eating a diet high in
refined sugar and carbohydrates causes glucose levels to soar. If those
levels stay chronically high, our cells will become more insulin
resistant, our serum insulin levels will stay elevated, and the risk of
type 2 diabetes becomes serious. Another danger of insulin is that it is
another growth factor for breast cancer. Women with the highest insulin
levels have a 283 percent increased risk of breast cancer according to a
1998 study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. In a study
published in 2002, lignans were found to help combat these conditions by
helping to balance glucose levels and insulin resistance.
Many Anti-Cancer Effects That Add Up
All of these anti-cancer effects of lignans add up to big
protection. Numerous studies show that women with high lignan levels have
low incidences of breast cancer, and those with low lignans levels have a
high rate of breast cancer. For example, a study published in 2002 in the
journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention tested the urine of
women for lignans—an indication of how much they consume. They found that
women with breast cancer on the average had substantially lower levels of
lignans than healthy women. In another study published in 2001, Finnish
women with high serum enterolactone, a type of lignan, had significantly
lower incidences of breast cancer.
Lowering Your Risk Simply and Naturally
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. Fortunately, it
is a disease where the odds of developing it can be dramatically reduced
simply and naturally. Consuming plenty of lignans every day by eating two to
three tablespoons of ground flaxseeds—or even more simply—by taking one
capsule of Brevail, can provide substantial protection. And if you have
breast cancer, lignans may help you successfully fight your disease and live
a long, healthy life. All women can benefit from the simple addition of
lignans to their diet. Why wait to be diagnosed with breast cancer to begin?
Resources
Brevail is
distributed by Christine’s Cleanse Corner, Inc
Click here for Brevail product or ordering
information. Or visit us on the web at
www.TransformYourHealth.com
or call us toll-free at 877-673-0224.
References
Bhathena, S.J. & Velasquez, M.T. “Beneficial role of
dietary phytoestrogens in obesity and diabetes.” Am J Clin Nutri,
2002;76(6):1191-201.
Brooks, J.D. & Thompson, L.U. “Mammalian lignans and genistein decrease the
activities of aromatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in MCF-7
cells.” J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2005;94(5):461-7. Epub 2005 Mar 16.
Chen, J., et al. “Dietary flax seeds inhibit human breast cancer growth and
metastasis and downregulates expression of insulin-like growth factor and
epidermal growth factor receptor.” Nutr Cancer, 2002;43(2):187-92. Chen, .J
& Thompson, L.U. “Lignans and Tamoxifen, alone or in combination, reduce
human breast cancer cell adhesion, invasion, and migration in vitro.” Breast
Cancer Res Treat, 2003;80(2):163-70.
Dabrosin, C., et al. “Flaxseed inhibits metastasis and decreases vascular
endothelial growth factor in human breast cancer xenografts.” Cancer Lett,
2002;185(1):31-7.
Dai, Q., et al. “Urinary excretion of phytoestrogens and risk of breast
cancer among Chinese women in Shanghai.” Cancer Epidemiolo Biomakers Prev,
2002;11(9):815-21.
Del Giudice, M.E., et al. “Insulin and related factors in premenopausal
breast cancer risk.” Breast Cancer Res Treat, 1998;47(2):111-20.
Haggans, C.J., et al. “Effect of flaxseed consumption on urinary estrogen
metabolites in postmenopausal women.” Nutr Cancer, 1999;33(2):188-95.
Haggans, C.J., et al. “The effect of flaxseeds and wheat bran consumption on
urinary estrogen metabolites in premenopausal women.” Cancer Epidemiol
Biomarkers Prev, 2000;9(7):719-25.
Hawkins, S., et al. “Circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth
factor I and risk of breast cancer.” Lancet, 1998;351(9113):1393-6/
Kitts, D.D., et al. “Antioxidant activity of flaxseed lignan
secoisolariciresinol diglycoside and its mammalian lignan metabolites
enterodiol and enterolactone.” Mol Cell Biochem, 1999;202 (1-2):91-100.
Kupeli, E., et al. “Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of
taxoids and lignans from the heartwood of Taxus baccata L.” Journal of
Ethnopharmacolg, 2003;89(2-3):265-70.
Martin, M.B. & Stoica, A. “Insulin-like growth factor-I and estrogen
interactions in breast cancer.” JNutr, 2002 ;132(12):3799S-3801S.
Michels, K.B., et al. “Type 2 diabetes and subsequent incidence of breast
cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study.” Diabetes Care, 2003;26(6):1752-8.
Peitinen, P., et al. “Serum enterolactone and risk of breast cancer: a
case-control study in eastern Finland.” Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev,
2001;10(4):339-44.
Phipps, W.R., et al. “Effect of flaxseed ingestion on the menstrual cycle.”
J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1993;77(5):1215-9.
Wang, L.Q. “Mammalian phytoestrogens: enterodiol and enterolactone.” J
Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2002;777(1-2):289-309.
Ward, W.E., et al. “Exposure to flaxseeds or purified lignan during
lactation influences rat mammary gland structures.” Nutr Cancer,
2000;37(2):187-92.
|
