Overview
One in six men in the United States is affected by prostate cancer during their lifetime, according to a December 2008 article in the journal “Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention”. Flaxseed oil has been promoted since the 1950s as a nutrient with anti-cancer properties but only recently has there been some clinical evidence to suggest that flaxseed oil combined with a low-fat diet may be useful for men with prostate cancer.
History
Flaxseed originated in Central Asia over 5,000 years ago. It is composed of 35 percent fat and 35 percent fiber, along with smaller amounts of protein. Flaxseed oil was commonly consumed in the Middle Ages in breads and cereals but has practically vanished from our diet today due to its short shelf life. Flaxseed oil is a rich source of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body converts to the same omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
Flaxseed oil contains a high amount of ALA, which the body converts into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oil. However, the body is not efficient at converting ALA into EPA and DHA, so the benefits are not the same. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, while the EPA and DHA found in fish and fish oil is beneficial for the body and may protect against prostate cancer, ALA from flaxseed may actually be associated with the increased risk of prostate cancer in men. While more research is needed to confirm this, it is recommended that men with prostate cancer get their omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil rather than flaxseed oil.
Research
Flaxseed oil first became well-known in the 1950s when German scientist Johanna Budwig developed a diet for cancer patients that included flaxseed oil mixed with cottage cheese and milk. Budwig claimed that within three months, patients supplementing the flaxseed mixture with a low-fat diet had smaller tumors or no tumors at all.
Evidence
Evidence for flaxseed oil as an anti-cancer agent is conflicting. According to the American Cancer Association, one pilot study found that a diet supplemented with flaxseed may reduce the development, growth and spread of prostate cancer. However, another study performed on rats showed no effect.
According to Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Erik Castle, “flaxseed may play a role in reducing risk of prostate cancer or limiting its spread.” In one study involving 161 men with prostate cancer, those who followed a low fat diet and took flaxseed supplements saw their prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels decline. The PSA levels in the prostate measure how fast the prostate cancer is spreading. However, other studies have shown no positive or negative results from flaxseed oil studies on prostate health. Because of the ambiguous data, it is unclear if flaxseed oil can actually prevent or treat prostate cancer.
Side Effects
The undeveloped pods of flaxseed are poisonous and should never be used. Flaxseed has a short shelf life and spoils if not refrigerated. Side effects include gas, diarrhea and nausea. It shouldn’t be used with other laxatives or stool softeners and is not recommended for people with diabetes or those with inflammatory disease or stomach problems. According to the American Cancer Society, relying on flaxseed alone without getting proper treatment for cancer may have serious health consequences.
About this Author
Christina McDonald-Legg has been a journalist for 12 years, writing health columns for the “Galway Independent” and the “Connacht Tribune,” and health articles for the Department of Health in London. She has published articles nationally and internationally, including the “Seattle Post Intelligencer” and the “Sunday Times,” Dublin. She has an Master of Arts in journalism from the National University of Ireland.
