10 Benefits of Flaxseed
Flaxseed Benefit #4: Reduce Cancer Risks
Flaxseed has been under investigation for its antioxidant properties due to the presence of structural compounds called phenols, primarily found in plants. The polyphenol lignin is suspected to have antioxidant properties based on its anti-photooxidation and resistance to some diseases.
Lignan is also believed to be a phytoestrogen, a plant nutrient that mimics estrogen. This allows flaxseed to alter estrogen metabolism and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer for postmenopausal women. Other evidence suggests that flaxseed lignans decrease excessive cell growth in breast tissue by increasing apoptosis, a natural process of programming cells to die so that new cells can take their place.
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