Manipulation of gut microbiota with flaxseed could reduce breast cancer risk, research suggests

Medical Xpress / American Society for Microbiology / Microbiology Spectrum ^ | Dec. 7, 2023 | Diana Wu et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new study demonstrates that the human gut microbiome may be a factor in breast health. Lifestyle and diet have long been known to affect human health. In the study, flaxseed components called lignans were shown to influence the relationship between gut microorganisms and the expression of mammary gland microRNAs (miRNAs). A subset of these miRNAs regulates the genes involved in breast cancer, including genes that control cell proliferation and migration.

"The gastrointestinal microbiota plays an important role in modifying many components of our diet to impact human health," said Jennifer Auchtung, Ph.D.

The researchers studied the effects of flaxseed lignans on the microbiota of young female mice. Lignans, fiber-associated compounds found in many foods and particularly plentiful in flaxseed, are associated with reduced breast cancer mortality in postmenopausal women.

The researchers found that lignan components generate specific miRNA responses in the mammary gland. miRNAs are short, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of target mRNAs.

To determine whether the relationship between the microbiota and mammary gland miRNAs could be manipulated to reduce the risk of breast cancer, the researchers fed flaxseed lignan components to female mice to determine whether gut cecal microbiota profiles are related to miRNA expression in the mammary gland.

The cecum, the first part of the colon, located in the right lower abdomen near the appendix, is believed to have a role in production of short-chain fatty acids and has been proposed to serve as a reservoir of anaerobic bacteria.

One flaxseed oil lignan requires microbial processing to release bioactive metabolites, small-molecule chemicals produced during metabolism that influence physiology and disease —in this case having antitumor effects. The researchers found that the microbiota and mammary gland miRNA are related and that flaxseed lignans modify the relationship to be non-cancer causing.

[ConservativeMind]

Flaxseed lignans are available in ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil, with the oil having them retained or added back in.

Some flaxseed oils have the lignans completely removed.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Cowgirl of Justice]

I just bought some flaxseed - do I just add it to things or do I need to grind it?

[ConservativeMind]

It should be ground to free up what is on the inside.

[Delta 21]

I was worried about Flax seed oil with the push for getting off of all “seed” oils. I had all manner of flax seed products on a display. Only people that want to be healthy even give it a second look. Its kind of expensive but doesnt have any real competition on the shelf. The flax lignans are very expensive but the people that know about them didnt look at the price.

[Bigg Red]

Isn’t the oil bad for you?

[ConservativeMind]

Women do best with flaxseed, but it can help men, too.

If a man has prostate cancer, the ALA fat from plants can be a problem, making it grow more.

The ground seed form or just lignans in capsules are the better ways for men to have it:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/494445-the-dangers-of-high-lignan-flax-oil/

[Cowgirl of Justice]

Thanks!!!!!