Description

Menopause

Menopause is an unavoidable change all women experience as they age. The root cause of menopause is the lack of estrogen and progesterone being produced in the ovaries as a woman ages. A woman who has reached menopause is no longer able to get pregnant, as the ovaries no longer function. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, breast tenderness, mood swings, and hair loss. While every woman’s experience with menopause is different, some may deal with more extreme symptoms that require treatment.

Because imbalanced hormones cause menopause, many healthcare professionals recommend drugs or hormone replacement therapy to combat the symptoms of menopause. A natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapies is to add flax to the diet. The lignans found in flaxseed are phytoestrogens, which is a naturally occurring plant compound that mimics naturally occurring estrogen. When ingested, phytoestrogens can be used to increase estrogen levels and create hormonal balance naturally.

Studies show that lignans can help both premenopausal and menopausal women live healthier, more comfortable lives.A clinical trial found that Lignans are especially helpful in relieving hot flashes, as they reduce both the frequency and intensity by as much as half. According to the Mayo Clinic, women experiencing the onset of menopause, known as perimenopause, can also benefit from regularly ingesting flax lignans. The phytoestrogen found in lignans helps to restore hormone balance as the body begins to produce less estrogen naturally.

Flax hull lignans can also ease the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, which includes both mental and physical symptoms. Common symptoms related to PMS include irritability, lethargy, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, nausea, mood swings, and pain in the head, neck, back, and breasts. These PMS symptoms often begin after a women’s ovulation cycle and can last anywhere from four days up to two weeks, typically ending with menstruation. While approximately 80% of women experience PMS, the severity of its symptoms can vary.

Research suggests that PMS symptoms can be alleviated with high doses of amino acids and essential fatty acids. Flax hull lignans are high in both and can significantly improve the severity of PMS symptoms. Lignans are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is known to help with breast tenderness, improve emotional stability, and reduce the psychological symptoms of PMS.

In addition to easing PMS, perimenopause, and menopause symptoms, lignans improve uterine, ovarian, and breast health, as well as aid in the prevention and treatment of certain cancers. Much research has been done on the effects of flax lignans, and there is overwhelming support that lignans are beneficial to women’s health.

Important Note: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. It is up to the individual reading this to seek expert medical advice and not rely on this information to diagnose, treat, prevent, or attempt to cure any disease.

Breast Health & Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Nutrition is a key component to living a healthy life. What we eat influences everything from our weight to how we feel. More importantly, nutrition also influences our overall health, including our susceptibility to certain diseases and illnesses. When it comes to breast health, dietary choices can have a significant impact on reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.

Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other foods high in fiber is crucial. Incorporating flax into your diet is a great way to boost fiber intake. Flax lignans also contain phytoestrogens, which benefit the body in many different ways. Many studies have been conducted regarding the phytoestrogens present in lignans, and findings suggest they contain cancer-fighting properties. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed lignans might improve the survival rate of those diagnosed with postmenopausal breast cancer. The increased survival rate is due to the phytoestrogen binding to estrogen receptors, which prevent cancer cells from growing.

In addition to reproductive tissue, estrogen receptors can be found in numerous other tissues such as in the bone, liver, heart, and brain. Studies have suggested that lignans can benefit these organs as well, and aid in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. When consumed, both types of lignans, secoisolariciresinol (SDG) and hydroxymatairesinol (HMR), are converted to mammalian phytoestrogens. Enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL), mammalian phytoestrogens found in the colon, may help protect against breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.An article published by The American Institute for Cancer Research supports this theory. According to the article, research reveals there is a lower risk of cancer for those who consume foods high in dietary fiber, like flax lignans.

Important Note: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. It is up to the individual reading this to seek expert medical advice and not rely on this information to diagnose, treat, prevent, or attempt to cure any disease.

Prostate Health

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, with it affecting 80% of men 80 years and older in the United States. More than 180,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, with over 40,000 men dying from the disease. These numbers cement prostate cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.

A study conducted by the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, suggests that flax lignans can hinder tumor cell proliferation in men with localized prostate cancer. Experts believe this is due to flaxseed’s mammalian lignan precursors, which have been shown to decrease early indications of certain cancers in the short-term. An article published by The American Institute for Cancer Research supports this theory. According to the article, research reveals there is a lower risk of cancer for those who consume foods high in dietary fiber, like flax lignans.

When consumed and metabolized, both types of lignans, secoisolariciresinol (SDG) and hydroxymatairesinol (HMR), are converted to mammalian phytoestrogens. These mammalian phytoestrogens include the chemical compounds, enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol (END). Evidence has suggested that these mammalian phytoestrogens may help protect against many different types of cancers, including prostate cancer in men. A known cause of prostate cancer and prostate enlargement is an overabundance of estrogen in the body. Enterolactone helps to restore prostate health by naturally reducing the amount of estrogen present in the body.

It has also been suggested that the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may increase the risk of prostate cancer in men. Men have two main types of androgens: testosterone and DHT. While DHT is essential to the development of male sex organs early in life, too much DHT can be harmful as men begin to age. In addition to increasing the risk of prostate cancer, DHT is known to cause hair loss/balding and cardiovascular inflammation in men. Reducing the amount of DHT in the body is crucial to preventing these illnesses.

Flax hull lignans have shown significant promise in lowering DHT levels in the prostate. DHT is formed when testosterone is synthesized by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Regularly consuming lignans prevents testosterone from being converted to DHT by reducing the levels of 5-alpha-reductase in the body.

Research conducted by Wageningen University and the RIKILT Institute of Food Safety in the Netherlands supports the use of flax products to fight cancer. The results of their study found those who have a diet high in lignans have a lower risk of developing certain cancers. Other studies have shown significant promise of lignans aiding in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, colon cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. Flax products, such as Original Flax Hull Lignans, are also an excellent immune system booster and can contribute to better general health.

Important Note: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. It is up to the individual reading this to seek expert medical advice and not rely on this information to diagnose, treat, prevent, or attempt to cure any disease.