Flaxseed Oil Helps Prevent Breast Cancer!

Good news! You may have read that flaxseed oil is effective in reducing cholesterol, decreasing inflammation and supporting healthy skin, but now we can add "anti-cancer" to this list of benefits! A new research study published in Molecular

Nutrition and Food Research journal (Oct, 2010) suggests that flaxseed oil can reduce the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast tumors. This means that  flaxseed oil is particularly effective for tumors fueled by estrogen.

Since approximately 60% of breast cancers are

sensitive to hormones, this study implies flaxseed oil may have an important role in both breast cancer treatment and prevention. Compared to the un-treated control group, flaxseed oil reduced tumor size by 33% and decreased tumor cell growth by 38%.

The anti-cancer properties of flaxseed are attributed to both the omega- 3 essential fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and lignans, a plant compound found only in the whole seed. Lignans have a balancing effect on hormones and also interfere with the growth and spread of tumor cells. In order to receive all the benefits flaxseed has to offer, it is generally recommended to include 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil and 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to your daily diet. Some great ways to enjoy flaxseed oil are to mix it in with your favorite salad dressing, add it to your morning smoothie or pour it over some steamed vegetables. Sprinkle ground flaxseeds over your yogurt, hot cereal or freshly tossed salad. Feel good that not only are you decreasing inflammation throughout your body, but you are also taking a pro-active step in breast cancer prevention.

Dr. Anne Frances Hardy is a Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist and practices at Steelsmith Natural Health Center in Honolulu. You can contact her at www.steelsmithhealth.com

The Magic of Curcumin

A powerful anti-inflammatory herb that everyone should know about, curcumin is used by many of our patients for a number of health conditions. Curcumin is the active compound derived from turmeric root, the most active and scientifically researched part of the plant. As many of you know from taking the powdered form, the color is bright orange; the oils and compounds that give turmeric its color also contain the plant’s medicinal properties.

Including turmeric in your diet is a great idea and conveys protective benefits, but if you take curcumin as an isolated extract or supplement, you’re getting a much higher dose of the medicinal parts of the plant. It’s important to note that the majority of studies on the benefits of curcumin are done with very specific and high doses.

Key to curcumin’s benefits are its powerful anti-inflammatory properties; curcumin has been well-researched as an anti-inflammatory treatment for joint, nerve, and digestive conditions. As we often tell our patients, decreasing inflammation is essential to managing chronic disease of all sorts. Along with diet, lifestyle, and exercise, curcumin can be an especially valuable addition to an anti-inflammatory treatment plan.

Curcumin has also been found to destroy certain types of cancer cells, and reliable research shows its effectiveness in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment plans such as chemotherapy. In addition, research indicates that it can help to prevent cancer.

As with any herbal supplement, curcumin is not safe for everyone, and dosage varies from person to person, depending on what we’re treating. Note: curcumin’s brilliant orange color can stain, so keep it away from white clothing. Consult with one of the naturopathic physicians at our office if you’re interested in learning more about how curcumin can benefit you.