[PHNUTR-L] Duke: Flaxseed stunts the growth of prostate tumors

[Kathrynne Holden]

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Public release date: 2-Jun-2007
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-06/dumc-fst052907.php

Contact: Lauren Shaftel
lauren.shaftel at duke.edu
919-684-4966
Duke University Medical Center

Flaxseed stunts the growth of prostate tumors

DURHAM, N.C. -- 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.

"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.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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