Flaxseeds and Estrogen

Fayard
Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member

I eat a lot of flaxseeds with my oatmeal every morning.

I was reading about it and found the following here http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-991-FLAXSEED.aspx?activeIngredientId=991&activeIngredientName=FLAXSEED

Flaxseed is sometimes tried for cancer because it is broken down by the body into chemicals called “lignans.” Lignans are similar to the female hormone estrogen - so similar, in fact, that they compete with estrogen for a part in certain chemical reactions. As a result, natural estrogens seem to become less powerful in the body. Some researchers believe that lignans may be able to slow down the progress of certain breast cancers and other types of cancers that need estrogen to thrive.

Do you think flaxseeds is not good if cancer cell were midly estrogen receptors?

What do you all think?

Comments

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    I was wondering about that

    I was wondering about that myself.  I have UPSC and it is not hormone sensitive at all, but my mother is a 26 year surviver of breast cancer whose cancer was very hormone sensitive.  She was not allowed to have ANY food such as flax seeds, yams,caged feed chicken or beef.  Maybe that is why she has survived so long without a recurance.  She was not even allowed to use any moisterizer with estrogen in it.  I have been trying to eat the flax seed for health, but it up sets my stomach something terrible.  Is this usual til you get use to it?  I've seen a lot of ladies on this board that take it and I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention the flax making them sick.  Hope this helps?  Would like to know what you think.  Best, Debra

  • Hybridspirits
    Hybridspirits Member Posts: 209
    debrajo said:

    I was wondering about that

    I was wondering about that myself.  I have UPSC and it is not hormone sensitive at all, but my mother is a 26 year surviver of breast cancer whose cancer was very hormone sensitive.  She was not allowed to have ANY food such as flax seeds, yams,caged feed chicken or beef.  Maybe that is why she has survived so long without a recurance.  She was not even allowed to use any moisterizer with estrogen in it.  I have been trying to eat the flax seed for health, but it up sets my stomach something terrible.  Is this usual til you get use to it?  I've seen a lot of ladies on this board that take it and I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention the flax making them sick.  Hope this helps?  Would like to know what you think.  Best, Debra

    Flax Seed

    I also have flax seed every day per the advice of my dr for constipation.  However, if anyone else in my family has it they experience the same as you.  Especially my son who is 20 years old.  I have a family with multiple sensitivies to food.  Husband with Crohns and daughter with Celiac.  Both diagnosed very late in life with these ailments.  All of us are sensitive to different foods in different ways.

    Sharon

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    debrajo said:

    I was wondering about that

    I was wondering about that myself.  I have UPSC and it is not hormone sensitive at all, but my mother is a 26 year surviver of breast cancer whose cancer was very hormone sensitive.  She was not allowed to have ANY food such as flax seeds, yams,caged feed chicken or beef.  Maybe that is why she has survived so long without a recurance.  She was not even allowed to use any moisterizer with estrogen in it.  I have been trying to eat the flax seed for health, but it up sets my stomach something terrible.  Is this usual til you get use to it?  I've seen a lot of ladies on this board that take it and I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention the flax making them sick.  Hope this helps?  Would like to know what you think.  Best, Debra

    I grind flaxseed and put it

    I grind flaxseed and put it in my oatmeal, every morning!

    I am more concerned about the estrogen relationship.

    Any more thoughts?

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    Fayard said:

    I grind flaxseed and put it

    I grind flaxseed and put it in my oatmeal, every morning!

    I am more concerned about the estrogen relationship.

    Any more thoughts?

    Hi Fayard~

    My nutritionist (is 12 yr breast cancer survivor, ER+) highly recommended flax seeds for tons of reasons as great source of -- omega 3, protein, fiber.  I have a link which I'll post below which she shared with me years ago, plus a quick overview of the concern you have with estrogen below.  Does this help you in any way?  I've been ingesting flax powder in my protein drinks twice per day for years.  As things change over time with new reasearch, you could possibly be onto something new

    http://breastcancer.about.com/od/cancerfightingfoods/a/flaxseeds.htm

    Anticancer Action of Flaxseeds

    Several studies have been done to determine how the phytoestrogens in flaxseeds may help cancer. One theory compares the estrogen-receptor blocking ability of flaxseeds with estrogen-receptor modulation drugs. The weak plant-based estrogens block the estrogen receptors on cells within breast tissue, starving them of full-strength female estrogen, possibly stopping tumor growth and preventing cell damage. This effect may be most effective for younger, premenopausal women with estrogen-receptor negative cancers. A clinical trial combining flaxseeds with a macrobiotic diet has been done by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Among other goals, the study hopes to find out whether amacrobiotic diet that includes flaxseed will be beneficial during and after breast cancer therapy.

    Fayard, how are you feeling as rememering over the year you've been tweeking your way of eating?

    Hugs,

    Jan 

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    jazzy1 said:

    Hi Fayard~

    My nutritionist (is 12 yr breast cancer survivor, ER+) highly recommended flax seeds for tons of reasons as great source of -- omega 3, protein, fiber.  I have a link which I'll post below which she shared with me years ago, plus a quick overview of the concern you have with estrogen below.  Does this help you in any way?  I've been ingesting flax powder in my protein drinks twice per day for years.  As things change over time with new reasearch, you could possibly be onto something new

    http://breastcancer.about.com/od/cancerfightingfoods/a/flaxseeds.htm

    Anticancer Action of Flaxseeds

    Several studies have been done to determine how the phytoestrogens in flaxseeds may help cancer. One theory compares the estrogen-receptor blocking ability of flaxseeds with estrogen-receptor modulation drugs. The weak plant-based estrogens block the estrogen receptors on cells within breast tissue, starving them of full-strength female estrogen, possibly stopping tumor growth and preventing cell damage. This effect may be most effective for younger, premenopausal women with estrogen-receptor negative cancers. A clinical trial combining flaxseeds with a macrobiotic diet has been done by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Among other goals, the study hopes to find out whether amacrobiotic diet that includes flaxseed will be beneficial during and after breast cancer therapy.

    Fayard, how are you feeling as rememering over the year you've been tweeking your way of eating?

    Hugs,

    Jan 

    Jan

    Thank you for your input. I knew I started to eat flaxseeds for a good reason. Thank you so much for the link. As I mentioned before, I grind 4 teaspoons every day and put it in my oatmeal.

    Ever since I changed my diet I feel with a lot more energy. I lost a lot of weight at the beginning, but as I stopped worrying about it I started to regain some. I am now in 117 lb, I think. I was 21 before treatment and bowel obstruction. I stopped eating fish, eggs, and everything that have to do with animal products.

    What do you eat or take to promote collagen?

    How are you doing? Smile

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    Fayard said:

    Jan

    Thank you for your input. I knew I started to eat flaxseeds for a good reason. Thank you so much for the link. As I mentioned before, I grind 4 teaspoons every day and put it in my oatmeal.

    Ever since I changed my diet I feel with a lot more energy. I lost a lot of weight at the beginning, but as I stopped worrying about it I started to regain some. I am now in 117 lb, I think. I was 21 before treatment and bowel obstruction. I stopped eating fish, eggs, and everything that have to do with animal products.

    What do you eat or take to promote collagen?

    How are you doing? Smile

    Fayard

    Glad to read about your increased energy level.  I take my flaxseed ground in my protein shake twice per day.  We need the omega 3's and this is my way of getting the daily allotment vs popping another pill.

    I've learned that animal fats aren't what's bad for us, especially if purchased "grass-fed / organic".  The animals do not have antibiotics and growth hormones ingested in them, which in turn, we don't consume.  Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory which do not turn to omega 6's which are pro-inflammatory...we don't want latter.  And with fish, I only purchase wild caught such as Salmon (do have a listing of the recommended safe fish, with less  mercury...happy to post link if you like).  Eggs are the same, grass fed, organic.  With any of the animals if you can as well find "pastured" raised.... that's even better. 

    I've been following the Paleo Diet, which I've linked below.  The Paleolithic era, where people ate the animals they hunted and the plants they gathered to eating the grains from the crops and the meat and milk from their domesticated animals.  We're so similar to them in terms of our genetics and systems.  Have to say I feel so much better knowing I'm eating a much better, natural way.  I'm not perfect, as still have the occasional ice cream and big bowl of pasta.  Then I wonder if this way of eating has kept my CA125 low as well as a clear scan at my 6-month checkup last week.  Who knows, but it seems to work for me and gives me energy.

    http://www.paleoplan.com/resources/paleo-plan-food-guide/

     

    Collagen....don't take anything for this as not sure what you'd take???  I've discontinued many of my supplements over the last 6 months, as think getting more in my daily diet via my diet is better.  Plus, these pills really can get expensive

    Hugs,

    Jan

     

  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    Fayard--Hugs

    This is one of the things I did to thwart cancer when I was first diagnosed. This is a newer website, but I did do a lot of research on this back then.  I http://www.budwigcenter.com/anti-cancer-diet.php

    Dr Johanna Budwig Diet




     

    The Budwig Diet



    Dr Johanna Budwig

    The Budwig Center teaches the Budwig diet founded by German biochemist Johanna Budwig. The Budwig anti cancer diet has been successfully helping people with not only Cancer but also Arthritis, Asthma, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Multiple sclerosis, Heart Disease, Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne and other illnesses and conditions.

    To start the diet, you will need to have 3 appliances:

    • A coffee bean grinder to grind the flaxseeds.
    • An immersion hand-held blender (a stick-shaped mixer) It's important to use an electric mixer rather than stirring by hand.
    • A Juice Machine. A masticating type juicer is said to give a more healthful juice than a centrifugal type. If you do not have this type of juicer the BUDWIG CENTER can help you locate one.


     

    Budwig Diet Flaxseed Oil and Cottage Cheese (FOCC) or quark recipe:


    Generally, each tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (FO) is blended with 2 or more tablespoons of low-fat organic Cottage Cheese (CC) or quark.



    Note: Whenever Tablespoons are mentioned it is the standard US tablespoon which is the equivalent of the British "dessert" spoon.

    1 US Tablespoon = 15 ml and 1 British Tablespoon is 18 ml - 16 tablespoons = cup and 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup.

    • To make the Budwig Muesli, blend 3 Tablespoons (British dessert spoons) of flaxseed oil (FO) with 6 Tbps low-fat(less than 2%) Quark or Cottage Cheese (CC) with a hand-held immersion electric blender for up to a minute If the mixture is too thick and/or the oil does not disappear you may need to add 2 or 3 Tablespoons of milk (goat milk would be the best option). Do not add water or juices when blending FO with CC or quark. The mixture should be like rich whipped cream with no separated oil. Remember you must mix ONLY the FO and CC and nothing else at first. Always use organic food products when possible.
    • Now once the FO and CC are well mixed grind 2 Tbps of whole flaxseeds and add to the mixture. Please note that freshly ground flax seeds must be used within 20 minutes after being ground or they will become rancid. Therefore do not grind up flaxseeds ahead of time and store.
    • Next mix in by hand or with the blender 1 teaspoon of honey (raw non-pasteurized is recommended)
    • (Optional) For variety you may add other ingredients such as sugar free apple sauce, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, chopped almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews (no peanuts), pine kernels, rosehip-marrow. For people who find the Budwig Muesli hard to take these added foods will make the mixture more palatable. Some of our patients have even added a pinch of Celtic sea salt and others put in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a change
    • (Optional) Dr. Harvey Diamond who wrote a book on the importance of "food combining" and other experts recommend not mixing fruit with other foods (they say to eat fruit on its own on an empty stomach and wait 10 minutes before eating other foods) If however you do not have any digestion problems you may want to add various fruits, especially berries fresh or frozen. No more than 1 cup of fruit should be added.
    • (Optional) Add ground up Apricot kernels (no more than 6 kernels per day). Or you may decide to eat these apricot kernels on their own


    Nausea - Some people get nausea from the ground flaxseeds, to counter this by taking a small bowl of papaya immediately afterwards. Also put a lot of papaya into the morning muesli too, it may be there is a special enzymes in the papaya that quells the nausea.

    The Basic Rule with the Budwig anti cancer diet is "if God made it then its fine and try to eat it in the same form that God made it". Here are some foods that many are not sure of, but they are accepted on the Budwig diet.

    • Stevia, raw non-pasteurized honey, Demerara dark brown natural sugar cane sugar, dates, figs, berry and fruit juices serve as sweeteners.
    • Herbs in their natural form (pure nothing added)
    • All nuts (raw unroasted) are fine except peanuts
    • All seeds good, sunflower seeds are very complete and filling
    • Raw un processed cocoa, shredded (unsweetened coconut) and rose hip puree
    • Cup of black tea is accepted (coffee beans are toxic and not recommended)
    • Any flour is permissible as long as it's 100% whole grain. Corn is generally believed by the group to be an exception because of mold/fungus and genetic manipulation
    • 2 or 3 slices of health food store pickles (no preservatives! - read label!)
    • Freezing cottage cheese /Quark as well as fruits and vegetables is ok.
    • VERY IMPORTANT: The flaxseed oil must always be kept in the refrigerator. It will keep for 12 months in the freezer. Arrange to purchase as direct as possible from a manufacturer (like Barlean's) and when it arrives put it right away in the refrigerator. Or arrange with the local health shop to keep a supply in the refrigerator for you.
    • Drink only distilled water or reverse osmosis water


    according to Dr. Budwig

    • NO hydrogenated oils, NO trans-fats, (all cold pressed oils, such as sunflower seed oil, olive oil, etc)
    • NO animal fats NO pork (pigs are the cleaners of the earth and their meat is loaded with toxins. ham, bacon, sausages, etc should be avoided)
    • NO seafood (lobsters, clams, shrimp, all fish with a hard shell are cleaners of the sea and are loaded with toxins..)
    • White regular pasta is eliminated, as is white bread, (Spelt pasta and bread is a better choice than wheat as many cancer patients have an intolerance to wheat, whole Rye, Oat, Multigrain bread is good. Corn is very discouraged (because of mold and genetic modification issues).
    • NO ice cream or dairy products (other than the cottage cheese and some cheese)
    • NO white sugar, molasses, maple syrup or preservatives.
    • NO processed foods (NO store bought pastries), make your own with our recipes
    • NO Soy products (unless fermented or used for 2 or 3 weeks at the beginning if you cannot tolerate the cottage cheese)
    • Avoid pesticides and chemicals, even those in household products & cosmetics. Good old vinegar, as well as baking soda are excellent household cleaners (look on the Internet for more info)
    • NO microwave, NO Teflon or aluminium cooking ware or aluminium foil. We recommend and provide during your stay at Budwig Center enamel cooking ware. Stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, glass and corning cooking wear are fine.



    Dr. Budwig warned against using her protocol in conjunction with other therapies that could go against the benefits of her formula. Oxygen therapies, Laetrile (Vitamin B17 injections), Vitamin C infusions should not be combined with the program. Check with the Budwig Center if you are not sure.

     

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    jazzy1 said:

    Fayard

    Glad to read about your increased energy level.  I take my flaxseed ground in my protein shake twice per day.  We need the omega 3's and this is my way of getting the daily allotment vs popping another pill.

    I've learned that animal fats aren't what's bad for us, especially if purchased "grass-fed / organic".  The animals do not have antibiotics and growth hormones ingested in them, which in turn, we don't consume.  Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory which do not turn to omega 6's which are pro-inflammatory...we don't want latter.  And with fish, I only purchase wild caught such as Salmon (do have a listing of the recommended safe fish, with less  mercury...happy to post link if you like).  Eggs are the same, grass fed, organic.  With any of the animals if you can as well find "pastured" raised.... that's even better. 

    I've been following the Paleo Diet, which I've linked below.  The Paleolithic era, where people ate the animals they hunted and the plants they gathered to eating the grains from the crops and the meat and milk from their domesticated animals.  We're so similar to them in terms of our genetics and systems.  Have to say I feel so much better knowing I'm eating a much better, natural way.  I'm not perfect, as still have the occasional ice cream and big bowl of pasta.  Then I wonder if this way of eating has kept my CA125 low as well as a clear scan at my 6-month checkup last week.  Who knows, but it seems to work for me and gives me energy.

    http://www.paleoplan.com/resources/paleo-plan-food-guide/

     

    Collagen....don't take anything for this as not sure what you'd take???  I've discontinued many of my supplements over the last 6 months, as think getting more in my daily diet via my diet is better.  Plus, these pills really can get expensive

    Hugs,

    Jan

     

    Jan,
    Thank you very much for

    Jan,

    Thank you very much for your input. I am glad you feel more energetic also. I am glad your CA125 is find and so was your scan. I do feel good no eating animal food. Every now and then I eat out at a copuple of vegan restaurants, and I eat food I do not usually eat.

    I would like to find something natural to intake collagen. Wink

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member

    Fayard--Hugs

    This is one of the things I did to thwart cancer when I was first diagnosed. This is a newer website, but I did do a lot of research on this back then.  I http://www.budwigcenter.com/anti-cancer-diet.php

    Dr Johanna Budwig Diet




     

    The Budwig Diet



    Dr Johanna Budwig

    The Budwig Center teaches the Budwig diet founded by German biochemist Johanna Budwig. The Budwig anti cancer diet has been successfully helping people with not only Cancer but also Arthritis, Asthma, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Multiple sclerosis, Heart Disease, Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne and other illnesses and conditions.

    To start the diet, you will need to have 3 appliances:

    • A coffee bean grinder to grind the flaxseeds.
    • An immersion hand-held blender (a stick-shaped mixer) It's important to use an electric mixer rather than stirring by hand.
    • A Juice Machine. A masticating type juicer is said to give a more healthful juice than a centrifugal type. If you do not have this type of juicer the BUDWIG CENTER can help you locate one.


     

    Budwig Diet Flaxseed Oil and Cottage Cheese (FOCC) or quark recipe:


    Generally, each tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (FO) is blended with 2 or more tablespoons of low-fat organic Cottage Cheese (CC) or quark.



    Note: Whenever Tablespoons are mentioned it is the standard US tablespoon which is the equivalent of the British "dessert" spoon.

    1 US Tablespoon = 15 ml and 1 British Tablespoon is 18 ml - 16 tablespoons = cup and 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup.

    • To make the Budwig Muesli, blend 3 Tablespoons (British dessert spoons) of flaxseed oil (FO) with 6 Tbps low-fat(less than 2%) Quark or Cottage Cheese (CC) with a hand-held immersion electric blender for up to a minute If the mixture is too thick and/or the oil does not disappear you may need to add 2 or 3 Tablespoons of milk (goat milk would be the best option). Do not add water or juices when blending FO with CC or quark. The mixture should be like rich whipped cream with no separated oil. Remember you must mix ONLY the FO and CC and nothing else at first. Always use organic food products when possible.
    • Now once the FO and CC are well mixed grind 2 Tbps of whole flaxseeds and add to the mixture. Please note that freshly ground flax seeds must be used within 20 minutes after being ground or they will become rancid. Therefore do not grind up flaxseeds ahead of time and store.
    • Next mix in by hand or with the blender 1 teaspoon of honey (raw non-pasteurized is recommended)
    • (Optional) For variety you may add other ingredients such as sugar free apple sauce, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, chopped almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews (no peanuts), pine kernels, rosehip-marrow. For people who find the Budwig Muesli hard to take these added foods will make the mixture more palatable. Some of our patients have even added a pinch of Celtic sea salt and others put in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a change
    • (Optional) Dr. Harvey Diamond who wrote a book on the importance of "food combining" and other experts recommend not mixing fruit with other foods (they say to eat fruit on its own on an empty stomach and wait 10 minutes before eating other foods) If however you do not have any digestion problems you may want to add various fruits, especially berries fresh or frozen. No more than 1 cup of fruit should be added.
    • (Optional) Add ground up Apricot kernels (no more than 6 kernels per day). Or you may decide to eat these apricot kernels on their own


    Nausea - Some people get nausea from the ground flaxseeds, to counter this by taking a small bowl of papaya immediately afterwards. Also put a lot of papaya into the morning muesli too, it may be there is a special enzymes in the papaya that quells the nausea.

    The Basic Rule with the Budwig anti cancer diet is "if God made it then its fine and try to eat it in the same form that God made it". Here are some foods that many are not sure of, but they are accepted on the Budwig diet.

    • Stevia, raw non-pasteurized honey, Demerara dark brown natural sugar cane sugar, dates, figs, berry and fruit juices serve as sweeteners.
    • Herbs in their natural form (pure nothing added)
    • All nuts (raw unroasted) are fine except peanuts
    • All seeds good, sunflower seeds are very complete and filling
    • Raw un processed cocoa, shredded (unsweetened coconut) and rose hip puree
    • Cup of black tea is accepted (coffee beans are toxic and not recommended)
    • Any flour is permissible as long as it's 100% whole grain. Corn is generally believed by the group to be an exception because of mold/fungus and genetic manipulation
    • 2 or 3 slices of health food store pickles (no preservatives! - read label!)
    • Freezing cottage cheese /Quark as well as fruits and vegetables is ok.
    • VERY IMPORTANT: The flaxseed oil must always be kept in the refrigerator. It will keep for 12 months in the freezer. Arrange to purchase as direct as possible from a manufacturer (like Barlean's) and when it arrives put it right away in the refrigerator. Or arrange with the local health shop to keep a supply in the refrigerator for you.
    • Drink only distilled water or reverse osmosis water


    according to Dr. Budwig

    • NO hydrogenated oils, NO trans-fats, (all cold pressed oils, such as sunflower seed oil, olive oil, etc)
    • NO animal fats NO pork (pigs are the cleaners of the earth and their meat is loaded with toxins. ham, bacon, sausages, etc should be avoided)
    • NO seafood (lobsters, clams, shrimp, all fish with a hard shell are cleaners of the sea and are loaded with toxins..)
    • White regular pasta is eliminated, as is white bread, (Spelt pasta and bread is a better choice than wheat as many cancer patients have an intolerance to wheat, whole Rye, Oat, Multigrain bread is good. Corn is very discouraged (because of mold and genetic modification issues).
    • NO ice cream or dairy products (other than the cottage cheese and some cheese)
    • NO white sugar, molasses, maple syrup or preservatives.
    • NO processed foods (NO store bought pastries), make your own with our recipes
    • NO Soy products (unless fermented or used for 2 or 3 weeks at the beginning if you cannot tolerate the cottage cheese)
    • Avoid pesticides and chemicals, even those in household products & cosmetics. Good old vinegar, as well as baking soda are excellent household cleaners (look on the Internet for more info)
    • NO microwave, NO Teflon or aluminium cooking ware or aluminium foil. We recommend and provide during your stay at Budwig Center enamel cooking ware. Stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, glass and corning cooking wear are fine.



    Dr. Budwig warned against using her protocol in conjunction with other therapies that could go against the benefits of her formula. Oxygen therapies, Laetrile (Vitamin B17 injections), Vitamin C infusions should not be combined with the program. Check with the Budwig Center if you are not sure.

     

    Thank you Claudia!
    How are

    Thank you Claudia!

    How are you?

  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    Fayard

    You are welcome.

    I am just peachy keen! Truly!

    So happy to be back in California after all those awful cold years in Michigan.  In about three weeks, it'll have been five years since my diagnosis. Still doing some of the therapies I researched in the beginning. Think my liver is happier too, as I've begun to loose weight. Scared me at first, but then I realized that my grand-daughter who has accompanied me on my trek to California, also lost weight. Go us.

    As always, it is lovely to see your beaming smile. Hoping all is well with you, and that you too are happy.

    Your friend,

    Claudia