Flax Seeds and Breast Cancer

Canadian doctor Paul Goss’ year 2000 study of 25 women including flax seed in their diet led to his conclusion that a steady intake of flax seed can prevent or cure breast cancer. He says “It encourages us to believe this is a very significant biological effect in women.” The results are not definitive, and more studies need to be performed, but the same effect has been in men with prostate cancer. Does this mean that you should rush out to the store and stock up on flax seeds? Not necessarily.

Pure flax oil may cause nausea as your body may not be able to handle it. The human body is not well suited for large consumption of flax seed oil. If you experience adverse reactions cease use of the flax oil immediately and return to small doses of the seeds, or an alternative product such as pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds, which will give you a similar dosage of Omega fatty acids. Over consumption of the oil may even result in the opposite intended effect, with an increase in prostate glands or ovaries.

A healthy solution to reduce the possibility or severity of breast cancer is the following: Get a healthy amount of vitamin D and sun, do not wear a restrictive bra as this decreases circulation in the breasts, and reduce your weight to non-obese levels. An increase in fatty tissue will harbor the cancer causing agents, and increase your risk of breast cancer. As always, take any medical advice with a grain of salt (not literally), and listen to your own body first. It’s telling you exactly what it needs.

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Information about how flax seed & breast cancer