LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Lignans

Breast Cancer Risk Associated with Lignans – (10-10-02)

by

Breast Cancer Risk Associated with Lignans Differs by CYP17 Genotype

Ditto. All of us here, right now, are observed the dawn of the future of medicine. Granted, it may be several generations before mainstream medicine actually begins to read their own journals and pick up on this stuff. We are seeing the matching of lifestyle factors to the genes of a patient. In the near future, a simple genetic test may be able to spell out what YOU need to do to drastically lower or eliminate your risk of most chronic diseases. And this knowledge is not far off at all…probably no more than a few years at most.

Nutrition.org — Abstracts: McCann et al. 132 (10): 3036

Read entire article here

Flaxseed effects on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice – (11-21-02)

by

Flaxseed effects on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice

Although this is an animal study, many other benefits of flax has been identified. Keep in mind that the best source of flax is freshly ground seeds which will contain the lignans, oils, fiber and vitamins that are associated with health benefits.

NCBI – Urology: Effect of flaxseed supplementation on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice.

Read entire article here

Dietary phytoestrogens and breast cancer risk – (02-16-04)

by

Dietary phytoestrogens and breast cancer risk

These researchers found no protective effect of dietary phytoestrogens (lignans and isoflavones) on breast cancer. However, if I might recall the research that suggested no protective effect of fiber on colon cancer risk. In both these cases, I could mutate the popular saying into “It’s the flora, stupid!!”

In neither of these studies were the participants stratified for GI flora. In both situations, the presence of a healthy bacterial flora that converts the protective compound (soluble dietary fiber into short chain fatty acids like butyrate, isoflavones and lignans into equols and enterolactones, respectively) into its active form may be the mechanism by which these compounds protect the body.

Just another example of the complex and important interactions between different aspects of human (and, in this case bacterial…) physiology that are many times missed by researchers.

AJCN — Abstracts: Keinan-Boker et al. 79 (2): 282 –

Read entire article here

Flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women – (02-16-04)

by

Flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women greater than supplementation with an equal amount of soy

I am a big fan of both flaxseed supplementation and soy products (NOT supplements) as part of healthy lifestyle. However, I usually recommend grinding your own flaxseed which most patients find difficult to do on regular basis. Remember that the lignans are not present in the oil supplements. So, just because this study suggests that flax may be better than soy as it relates to estrogen metabolism, both have additional health benefits unrelated to their effects on estrogen metabolism and both should be part of a healthy lifestyle.

AJCN — Abstracts: Brooks et al. 79 (2): 318 –

Read entire article here

EFFECT OF PLANT LIGNANS ON CVD AND CANCER – (05-29-03)

by

Risk of CVD–Related, All-Cause Death & Serum Enterolactone.

There is much evidence suggesting a protective effect of plant lignans (found in whole grains, flaxseed, soy…) on many diseases including CVD and breast and endometrial cancer. However, many of these studies are not raising a fundamental question. Lignans are converted by intestinal bacterial to enterolactone. What impact does the widespread destruction of normal flora with antibiotics have on this conversion rate?

Arch Intern Med — Abstracts: Vanharanta et al. 163 (9): 1099 –

Read entire article here

SOY INTAKE REDUCES BREAST, ENDOMETRIAL AND PROSTATE CANCER RISK – (07-30-07)

by

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that dietary phytoestrogen intake is associated with reduced risk of breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers

It amazes me how many anti-soy sentiments there are out there. Thryoid cancer, breast cancer, growing breasts on little boys, thyroid problems, infertility…the list is quite long. However, I have looked at many of the references the “anti-soy” people use. They just don’t hold up. I remember letter to the editor I wrote in response to an article damning soy. The journal let the author of this article rebut my letter. I checked her references and, out of 7 or so, 5 were in SUPPORT of soy!! She never checked her references!!

The vast majority of research articles on soy and phytoestrogens are positive, this one included. And I find it biased that there is concern over the phytates in soy blocking mineral absorption, but tea containing tannins are ok. Soy containing phytoestrogens are of concern, but eat all the lignans in flax you can grind up. You can’t have it both ways. That being said, I am in support of soy as being a part of a healthy lifestyle, but that does NOT mean processed soy this and processed soy that. Tofu, miso, soy nuts, soy milk, edemame–these are closer to Mother Nature’s intent. Textured vegetable protein and veggie burgers are less in Mother Nature’s plan.

Read entire article here