lignans | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org

15 videos

Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Emily

What are lignans?

Lignans are an anticancer plant compound found in whole grains, cruciferous vegetables, sesame seeds, and flaxseeds. Flaxseeds may contain up to 800 times more lignans than any other foods. Flaxseeds also give you the most bang for your buck at just $1 per pound in the bulk food section. Just a teaspoon a day can give you your daily dose, though I recommend one tablespoon per day in my Daily Dozen checklist. Make sure it is ground flaxseed or the nutrients may not be absorbed.

Those who eat a plant-based diet will most likely consume more lignans on a daily basis than those eating a diet rich in animal products.

Lignans and Cancer

Lignans may reduce the risk of breast cancer along with prolonging the life of those living with breast cancer. Lignans may improve survival rate with breast cancer and cut mortality in half.

Lignans found in flaxseeds may slow the growth of prostate cancer. Studies have shown a decrease in PSA levels (biomarker of prostate cancer), decreased cell growth, and decreased cholesterol with daily flaxseed consumption.

The information on this page has been compiled from the research presented in the videos listed. Sources for each video can be found by going to the video’s page and clicking on the Sources Cited tab.

All Videos for Lignans

Should Women with Fibroids Avoid Soy?

Should Women with Fibroids Avoid Soy?

When it comes to uterine fibroids, is soy harmful, harmless, or helpful?

Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen Checklist

In my book How Not to Die, I center my recommendations around a Daily Dozen checklist of everything I try to fit into my daily routine.

Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen Checklist

Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen Checklist

In my book How Not to Die, I center my recommendations around a Daily Dozen checklist of all the things I try to fit into my daily routine.

Which are better: Chia Seeds or Flax Seeds?

Which Are Better: Chia Seeds or Flaxseeds?

What effect do chia seeds have on weight loss, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation?

Does Rye Bread Protect Against Cancer?

Does Rye Bread Protect Against Cancer?

The lignans in rye could explain why rye intake is associated with lower breast and prostate cancer risk.

Why Do Plant-Based Diets Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Why Do Plant-Based Diets Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis may be triggered by autoimmune friendly fire against a urinary tract infection bacteria called Proteus mirabilis, which could help explain why sufferers randomized to a plant-based diet experience such remarkable benefit.

Can Flax Seeds Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

Can Flaxseeds Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

Flax seed consumption may play a role in preventing and treating breast cancer by blocking the inflammatory effects of interleukin-1.

Cholesterol Feeds Breast Cancer Cells

Cholesterol Feeds Breast Cancer Cells

Cholesterol appears to stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells—which may explain why phytosterol-rich foods, such as pumpkin seeds, are associated with reduced breast cancer risk.

Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Survival: Clinical Evidence

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of flax seeds in breast cancer patients finds flax appears to have the potential to reduce tumor growth—in just a matter of weeks.

Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Survival: Epidemiological Evidence

Lignan intake is associated with improved breast cancer survival in three recent population studies following a total of thousands of women after diagnosis.

Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Prevention

Young women at high risk for breast cancer given just a teaspoon of ground flax seeds a day showed fewer precancerous changes.

Flaxseeds vs. Prostate Cancer

What happens when men with prostate cancer and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) are placed on a relatively low-fat diet, supplemented with ground flax seeds?

Flax and Fecal Flora

Flax and Fecal Flora

The trillions of good bacteria in our gut can be thought of as an additional organ—metabolizing, detoxifying, and activating many crucial components of our diet. The formation of lignans from phytonutrient precursors found predominantly in flax seeds is one such example.

Breast Cancer Survival and Lignan Intake

Breast Cancer Survival & Lignan Intake

One teaspoon of flax seeds may double one’s daily production of lignans—phytonutrients that appear to play a role in both breast cancer prevention and survival.

Just the Flax Maam

Just the Flax, Ma’am

Ground flax seed consumption may decrease breast cancer risk by slowing one’s menstrual cycle. It may also control prostate enlargement as effectively as the leading prescription drug.

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