Lignans: The gentle way to prevent breast cancer

(NaturalNews) What are lignans and how might they help prevent breast cancer? Lignans are natural plant compounds, or phytochemicals, that are locked in the cell matrix of certain seeds, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables. They bear a strong resemblance to estrogen in shape, structure and functionality to a certain extent. The main difference - and it's a big one - is that lignans are much gentler to the body than estrogen. This is very good news. By replacing more aggressive estrogens with lignans in the body,the risk of cell mutations, and of breast cancer, is significantly reduced.

What are the risks of too much estrogen?

Estrogen is a naturally-occurring substance in the body and certainly has a positive place in the life of every woman when the proper ratios are maintained. In today's world, however, the heavy use of preservatives (especially BPAs in food), toxic chemicals found in certain deodorants and household cleaners, environmental contaminants and hormones found in meats and dairy have created "foreign estrogens," or "xeno-estrogens," that are difficult to assimilate. Estrogen has even been found in city tap water supplies because of the widespread use of oral contraceptive pills.

The overload and malabsorption of foreign estrogens can lead to a buildup of more "aggressive" proliferative forms of estrogen in the body. And when this happens, a whole host of health complications can ensue, including breast cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology revealed high concentrations of parabens (preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products) in the breasts of post-mastectomy patients. These parabens were present even in the breasts of women who had never used underarm deodorant (the most common cosmetic source of parabens), indicating that the toxins were acquired through the environment. The level of parabens in the breast tissue studied was 1 million times higher than the normal estrogen levels in unaffected breast tissue.

Lignans: The gentler way to breast health

It is within the estrogen receptor sites in breast tissue cells that more aggressive estrogen may cause cancerous mutations in DNA. When taken in sufficient quantities, lignan plant compound molecules can block this form of foreign-created estrogen from locking on to estrogen receptors. Once displaced, the "bad" estrogen can be properly metabolized and flushed from the body as waste. This is also why it is important to make sure that methylation and liver detoxification pathways are working effectively. With the added presence of foreign and more aggressive estrogens in the system caused by toxins in the environment and by unhealthy lifestyles choices, the use of lignans for hormone balancing is more important than ever. Most women do not get the right amount of lignans in their everyday diet to make a significant difference. Flax seeds, sesame seeds and certain varieties of kale contain the highest amounts. However, lignans usually pass through the system within 24-48 hours. In order to absorb enough lignans through food, it is important to ingest sufficient amounts on a consistent basis every day.

A study conducted at the University of Toronto found that women who ate muffins with 5 teaspoons of flax seeds per day were able to lower their tumor markers from 30 to 71 percent. A major component of The 7 Essentials ™ System, an evidence-based approach to heal the body and prevent breast cancer naturally, is to let food be your medicine. Ingesting high amounts of lignans through food or supplementation can very well be a vital part of every woman's breast cancer prevention protocol.

Sources:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

About the author:
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (�Dr. V�) is a best-selling author and specialist in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to �retire� and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic Breast Cancer healing journey with others. Her years of experience and research have culminated in �The 7 Essentials� �, a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe. To get your F.R.E.E. 7-day mini e-course and to receive her weekly inspiring articles on the power of Natural Medicine, visit
http://breastcancerconqueror.com/.