Flax Oil & Prostate Cancer

[deheinx]

I am not touting this as gospel, just found it interesting so please take it for what it is, information and not a condemnation of Flax Oil... Thanks

Question: I'm still not clear on the use of flaxseed oil and it's link to prostate cancer. When you say that evidence indicates that flaxseed oil may promote the growth of prostate tumors, do you mean flaxseed oil causes prostate cancer or that it stimulates the growth of existing prostate cancer cells? Also, does this warning apply to ground flaxseed meal?


Answer: The omega-3 fatty acids can be highly protective against heart disease. Flaxseed oil and fish oil are two concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids. However, some scientific evidence has caused me concern about recommending flaxseed oil because it may accelerate the progression of prostate cancer. Fish oil, in contrast, does not seem to have this harmful effect on prostate cancer.


Flaxseed oil is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, which has been shown to be beneficial in both heart disease and breast cancer. However, according to Charles E. Myers Jr., MD, a well-respected researcher at the University of Virginia Medical School in Charlottesville, "Clinical studies that are available suggest that alpha-linolenic acid may actually be dangerous for prostate cancer patients."


As he goes on to say, "There are now six epidemiology studies that have examined the association between dietary alpha-linolenic acid and risk of prostate cancer. Five out of six of these studies found an increase in the risk of prostate cancer associated with alpha-linolenic acid. I should also note that our laboratory, as well as others, found that alpha-linolenic acid is one of the most powerful growth stimuli for human prostate cancer cells."

For more information on this, please go to www.prostateforum.com.


Thus, I now recommend fish oil rather than flaxseed oil for men and either for women. The same applies to flaxseed meal as well as the oil, although flaxseed contains a number of phytochemicals, such as lignans, that are of potential value. One of the major lignans in flaxseed is secoisolariciresinol, a phytoestrogen and antioxidant. However, you can get these phytoestrogens in other foods, such as soy, without the potential problems of flaxseed and flaxseed oil.

 

[jet]

Well that sucks...been taking 2 tbs a day for over 6 months now...

 

[Johnny Auto Parts]

thanks for the info bro....now somebody please tell me flaxseed doesnt do this....because i know a lot of us have been taking it for too long to hear this, and would like to be comforted by somebody who has heard otherwise.

 

[xeno]

I am no expert, but this is a good subject for disscussion. From my readings in The Zone (pgs 119-134) and Protien Power books, alpha-linolenic acid is bad stuff and thus use Flax oil which is high in ALA sould be aviod. A cancer risk from flax is not inconsistant with the information found in these writings. Please correct me if wrong.
Stick with fish oil.

 

[Johnny Auto Parts]

word...where are the thousands of clowns who've been taking this shit since it became the hottest performance item out there....i want to hear what some of them think

 

[deheinx]

So, I guess my question is this: Does this mean that Flax Oil in ANY amount is bad? If so, then Dr. Udo's Blend of oil, which contains Flax Oil as well as other oils, may not be the best thing out there afer all.
You know, they say 'knowledge is power' but the more I learn about food and nutrition, the less I want to eat. I mean, one day Soy is the healer of all mankind, the next it's the destroyer. One day Flax is the best thing for health and the next it's the #1 leading cause of cancer (just making a dramatic point here). I suppose the next thing we will hear is the Saliva, if taken in small doses over several years will kill us all.
How much of this information can you take and apply? I mean, really, all this information is out there, but does it really apply to everyone or just certain individuals; meaning people at risk for certain diseases or medical conditions. I can't believe that if you eat Soy and Flax everyday, that you will eventually shrink your brain to the size of a pea and your prostate will grow to the size of a grapefruit; there has to be a happy medium in there somewhere, at least I hope there is.
Oh well, I guess we will just keep reading and learning, and will have to discern what is best for us on an individual basis.
Keep the faith my brothers and sisters.

 

[Johnny Auto Parts]

well said....i'll never forget when ESPN.com did an article confirming a french study that creatine causes cancer. every substance has its haters...i just wanna know the truth about flax b/f i take another tbspn, or recommend it to my friends.

 

[riskybizz007]

Johnny Auto Parts is right. Creatine never caused cancer, they were just looking for a correlation w/ something to link creatine w/.
As far as Flaxseed oil... i wont believe it till i see more proof, and not just "correlations" b/c correlations is what caused that "creatine causes cancer" crap.

 

[JA_RULE]

I agree with Riskybizz. Most of the time reporters are just wanting to get a headline on the newest health craze. So they find a correlation b/w the supplement and a illness and exploit it (Creatine causes Cancer). I've been on Flax for about 4 months, which is probably to early to tell, but I'm not going to drop it until their is more evidence.