More evidence that Lignans significantly decrease the number of women who develop breast cancer

March 23, 2007

A new study published in the March 21st, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute provides strong support for Lignans? ability to protect women from hormonally dependent breast cancers.
Phytoestrogens are plant polyphenols that resemble estrogen and because of this they help protect the body from out of control hormonal activity. In fact, many of these powerful antioxidants have ability to decrease the risk of hormone related cancers of the breast and prostate. The three families of Phytoestrogens are the Isoflavones found in beans and grains (especially soy), the Stilbenes of which Resveratrol from red grapes is the best known, and the Lignans that are mostly found in seeds such as Flaxseed and Sesame Seed.

In this massive study French researchers crunched data concerning breast cancer occurrence and Lignan intake in 58,409 postmenopausal women who were followed for 7-8 years on average. None of the women were taking a source of soy isoflavones. Total Lignan intake in women consuming the most Lignans vs. the least decreased the risk of estrogen or progesterone dependent breast cancer by 28% and even these women did not achieve the level of Lignan intake used in controlled studies with Lignan supplements. Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.; Last year a study published in the June 2006 issue of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention shows that a high blood level of enterolactone (this is what Flax Lignans are converted into) was connected to a 62% decreased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.