Flaxseed Stunts The Growth Of Prostate Tumors
- From: "David Saum" <dsaumNOSPAMPLEASE@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:20:11 GMT
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070603215443.htm
Flaxseed Stunts The Growth Of Prostate Tumors
Science Daily ? Flaxseed, an edible seed that is rich in omega 3-fatty acids
and fiber-related compounds known as lignans, is effective in halting
prostate tumor growth, according to a study led by Duke University Medical
Center researchers. The seed, which is similar to a sesame seed, may be able
to interrupt the chain of events that leads cells to divide irregularly and
become cancerous.
Flaxseed may be able to interrupt the chain of events that leads cells to
divide irregularly and become cancerous, Duke researchers have found.
"Our previous studies in animals and in humans had shown a correlation
between flaxseed supplementation and slowed tumor growth, but the
participants in those studies had taken flaxseed in conjunction with a
low-fat diet," said Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., a researcher in Duke's
School of Nursing and lead investigator on the study. "For this study, we
demonstrated that it is flaxseed that primarily offers the protective
benefit."
The researchers will present their results on Saturday, June 2, during a
news briefing at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology, in Chicago. The multisite study, which was funded by the National
Institutes of Health, also involved researchers at the University of
Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In the study, the researchers examined the effects of flaxseed
supplementation on men who were scheduled to undergo prostatectomy --
surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer. The men took 30 grams of
flaxseed daily for an average of 30 days prior to surgery. Once the men's
tumors were removed, the researchers looked at tumor cells under a
microscope, and were able to determine how quickly the cancer cells had
multiplied.
Men taking flaxseed, either alone or in conjunction with a low-fat diet,
were compared to men assigned to just a low-fat diet, as well as to men in a
control group, who did not alter or supplement their daily diet. Men in both
of the flaxseed groups had the slowest rate of tumor growth,
Demark-Wahnefried said. Each group was made up of about 40 participants.
Study participants took the flaxseed in a ground form because flaxseed in
its whole form has an undigestible seed coat, she said. Participants elected
to mix it in drinks or sprinkle it on food, such as yogurt.
"The results showed that the men who took just flaxseed as well as those who
took flaxseed combined with a low-fat diet did the best, indicating that it
is the flaxseed which is making the difference," Demark-Wahnefried said.
Flaxseed is thought to play a part in halting the cellular activity that
leads to cancer growth and spread. One reason could be that as a source of
omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed can alter how cancer cells lump together or
cling to other body cells, both factors in how fast cancer cells
proliferate, Demark-Wahnefried said. The researchers also suspect that
lignans may have antiangiogenic properties, meaning they are able to choke
off a tumor's blood supply, stunting its growth.
"We are excited that this study showed that flaxseed is safe and associated
with a protective effect on prostate cancer," Demark-Wahnefried said.
The researchers hope to next test the effectiveness of flaxseed
supplementation in patients with recurrent prostate cancer, and ultimately
to study its role as a preventative agent.
One out of six American men will develop prostate cancer. More than 218,000
men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2007, according to the
American Cancer Society, and about 27,000 will die from it.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Duke
University Medical Center.
Here is the Duke press release
http://www.dukemednews.org/news/article.php?id=10061
.
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