Hi, I was told by doctor to start taking fish oil or Flax Seed Oil to help with my high blood pressure. After reading around on the internet, I saw where a study was done where Flax Seed Oil can contribute to Prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer runs in my family
and absolutely scared stiff to touch Flax Seed Oil. is there any truth to this?
If so, I'll stay clear of Flax Seed Oil. Any insight to this would be helpful.
Thanks for your time, Howard Lieboff

Hi there Howard

Good on you for doing some research....

Your doctor is advising you to take fish oil or flax seed oil due to the essential fatty acids in both of these supplements.

Here are some facts about Essential Fatty Acids:
Several studies show that men who eat fish several times a week have less heart disease than men who don't eat fish regularly. Other studies show that fish oil supplements can help prevent sudden death from heart rhythm problems. Fish oil supplements may also prevent blood clots from blocking the arteries leading to the heart

Apparently there was one study documented in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which showed the flax seed oil supplements actually increased the incidence of prostate cancer!!

I found this site, which shows some information about that report and a response from a doctor - Flax Seed and Prostate Cancer.

Do some more research on the internet and remember that this is one study, albeit it is an important one. Only take information from reputable sources (ie medical journals, universities, health organisations, etc). Look at stuff from people's own sites, but remember that everyone is different and what worked for one person may not be best for you...

In any case, you should try to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables... for their vitamins, minerals and especially antioxidant content.... which all help with health in general.... antioxidants help with heart problems, in particular...

I am sure you know all the things you should not do, so I wont repeat them, but if you want any further info, let me know.

In any case, you should go back to your own doctor and talk to him/her about what you have read, your family's high prevalence of prostate cancer, your high blood pressure problems and discuss your options... because you do have options...


PS - I am not a doctor, nor am I a health professional, I just have a major interest in health and nutrition, with a view to gaining post-graduate studies in this area...

Hi Guys,

Flax seed oil is very high in omega-3 which helps with immune function and many other things. It is typically deficient in most people who do not eat oily fish regularly. Flax seed oil is also high in omega-6, which is something we tend to get too much of in the west. This can have the reverse efect! To keep this from oxidising (which gives us a problem), it needs vitamin E. When you take vitamin E it has to be natural, or it can cause more problems than it solves.

Oily fish and cod-liver-oil are good sources of omega-3.

Cracked Flax seed in natural form is much better than flax oil because it contains lignans that help protect against some forms of cancer. The oil has less chance of becoming rancid if its still in the seeds. Flax is a very delecate oil and is best kept at low temperatures.

Eating something called lycopene is believed to help prevent prostrate cancer. Lycoene is found in tomatoes. Cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce makes lycopene more accessible to the body.

I don't know about flax and prostrate, but I do know that flaxseed and cottage cheese is the backbone of the Budwig cancer therapy.

http://home.online.no/~dusan/diseases/canc..._dr_budwig.html

I'm not claiming this diet works, but I believe it is employed in Spanish health care clinics.

Happy researching,

Cheers,

Morgan