US researchers report that while Flaxseed retards the growth of prostate tumours in men, Ginseng helps in relieving fatigue often associated with Cancer.
The studies basically reflect the efforts of the doctors in exploring the benefits and risks of foods and supplements that are routinely taken by their patients with a little of scientific evidence.
Dr.Bruce Cheson of Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, says “Patients are taking these compounds, but we need to know if they are actually giving the desired results”.
The Researchers at the Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, studied the role of flaxseed as a food supplement in 161 men who were scheduled to undergo surgery for Prostate Cancer.
Dr. Nancy Davidson, an Oncologist at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore said “the growth rate was decreased in men who got flaxseed. I think this is fascinating.”
Flaxseed is rich in Lignans (a fibre found on the seed coat) and Omega-e fatty acids.
A researcher at the Duke’s School of Nursing, Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, said they chose flaxseed for their study, due to its unique nutrient profile. In the studies half of the men added 30 gms of flaxseed everyday to their diet for thirty days, and half of the group went on a low-fat diet.
Post-surgery, the researchers analyzed the tumour cells in men to evaluate the quickness in multiplication of cancer cells. Cancer cells in both flaxseed groups grew at a slower pace of 30 to 40 percent than the control group.
However, Denmark-Whanefried is yet to prescribe flaxseed. “Although, a healthy food with a lot of fiber and vitamins, we are not in a position at this point to confirm flaxseed, just because it is protective against prostate cancer” she says, and added that flaxseeds need to be studied further to check if they could prevent prostate cancer.
Tags: Cancer, Ginseng, herbs, prostate tumours
Hi Mahendra!
I am pinging you because I featured your blog on the Carnival of Healing that I am hosting on my blog this week….you have a great site!
Sharmila