Strong evidence for lignans’ breast cancer protection

[Guest guest]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own

opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic. If you do not wish to

receive these posts, set your email filter to filter out any messages

coming from @nutritionucanlivewith.com and the program will remove

anything coming from me.

---------------------------------------------------------

Strong evidence for lignans’ breast cancer protection

By ls

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=68403 & m=2nie616 & c=xeiqgoegavfxtla

14/06/2006 - A high intake of plant lignans could reduce the risk of

breast cancer for pre-menopausal women by 78 per cent, says new research

from Germany that adds significantly to the current body of science.

Plant lignans, from sources such as flax seed, whole grain cereals,

berries, vegetables and fruits, are metabolised in the colon by

microflora into enterodiol and enterolactone.

Lignans are well-known phytoestrogens – active substances derived from

plants that have a weak oestrogen-like action that have been linked

before to breast health, as well as benefits for postmenopausal women.

The new study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention

(Vol. 15, pp. 225-232), reports that women with high plasma levels of

enterolactone (above 12.96 nanomoles per litre), linked to high lignan

intake, was associated with a 58 per cent reduction of breast cancer risk.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate

both calculated enterolactone on the basis of food intake and data from

biomarker measurement (plasma enterolactone) in relation to breast

cancer risk,” wrote lead author Regina Piller from the Technical

University of Munich.

It should be stressed that this new study does not mention which source

of lignans, if any in particular, the women were taking, but merely

looked at total lignan intake, as well as plasma levels of the

metabolite, enterolactone.

The population-based case-control study, conducted in two regions in

Germany, used dietary intake data, collected by a 176-item food

frequency questionnaire, and biomarker data from blood samples for 192

pre-menopausal cases (women with in-situ or invasive breast cancer) and

231 matched controls (average age for all subjects was 42).

The researchers found that the controls had higher plasma levels of

enterolactone: 9.7 nanomoles per litre versus 6.3 nanomoles per litre

for the cases.

It was also found that, when the risk of breast cancer was measured in

terms of plasma enterolactone levels, a higher intake was associated

with a significantly lower risk.

Average plasma enterolactone levels of 12.96 nanomoles per gram was

associated with a 58 per cent reduction in breast cancer risk, while

average plasma enterolactone levels of 24.96 nanomoles per gram was

associated with a reduction of 62 per cent.

When calculated in combination with lignan intake, similar results were

observed. A high intake of enterolignans (enterodiol and enterolactone)

on the basis of dietary intake (846 micrograms per day) combined with a

high plasma enterolactone level was associated with a reduction in the

risk of breast cancer of 64 per cent.

“In the present case-control study the same results obtained from using

both types of exposure data lend greater credibility to an inverse

association between lignan intake and the premenopausal breast cancer

risk,” said the researchers.

No association was found between dietary and/or plasma levels of the soy

isoflavone genistein.

“These results add to the scientific evidence of a possible beneficial

effect of a high lignan intake during a woman's reproductive years in

terms of a decreases breast cancer risk,” concluded Piller.

The research has been welcomed by Acatris, producer of LinumLife

-secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) from flaxseed, and Linnea,

manufacturer of HMRlignanT (hydroxymatairesinol) from Norwegian spruce.

Jocelyn Mathern, RD for Acatris told NutraIngredients.com: “This is

another of many studies showing that lignans are beneficial for breast

health, which is great news for women considering that breast cancer

diagnosis is on the rise.”

Mathern said that previous studies have shown that flaxseed or purified

SDG improve a woman's oestrogen profile in a way that reduces the risk

for breast cancer

While the results of this new study do not make mention to which source

of lignans, Mathern said that Acatris is expecting results of a study in

women looking at the effects of their flaxseed extract, LinumLife, on

markers of breast cancer.

“We hope to confirm that SDG, the main flax lignan, is largely

responsible for the beneficial effects seen in previous flaxseed studies

looking at breast health,” said Mathern.

“While there are other sources of lignans entering the market, it is

important for people to examine the science. Lignans from sources other

than flax are metabolized differently by the body,” she said.

Linnea, producer of the HMRlignan from Norwegian spruce – one of the

other sources of lignans – also welcomed the results of the study.

According to Linnea, HMRlignan is suitable for stand-alone or multi

ingredient supplements as only a small dose is needed – just 10 to 40mg

to elevate the enterolactone level to the same degree as three

tablespoons of lignans from unground flax seed.

Robin Ward, vice president of marketing for Linnea, said that there are

now seven studies reporting an association between lignan intake and

breast health.

“Research has shown enterolactone to stimulate the synthesis and

circulating levels of a biochemical called sex hormone-binding globulin

(SHBG). Through this activity, enterolactone may reduce the free

bioavailable pool of circulating oestrogen, thereby reducing estrogen

penetration in tissues and the risks of an adverse oestrogen balance,”

Ward explained.

“There is also evidence that enterolactone may inhibit biosynthesis of

oestrogen by blocking aromatase, a key enzyme in biosynthesis of

estradiol. Collectively through these multiple mechanisms of action,

lignans appear to have a positive influence on the oestrogen balance in

the body,” he said.

Over one million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every

year, with about 400,000 new cases in Europe. China has the lowest

incidence and mortality rate of the disease.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/