Don't just go on their size as these tiny seeds are packed with a variety of essential nutrients that can pave your way to good health. Whether you eat them as they are, or take them in grounded form, these are the ultimate superfood that you have been missing out on. Flaxseeds can be added to your salads, trail mix, oats, curd, and so on. Not only this, but you can also find flaxseed oil in the market, which can be used for making dressings for your salad. In the past few years, a lot of studies and research work has been conducted to elucidate the benefits of eating flax seeds in the management of various chronic diseases.

One such research revolves around how eating flaxseeds can help to alleviate the risks of developing breast cancer and experts specializing in oncology treatment in India suggest that the results are quite promising. Before going any further, let us first read a little about breast cancer.

Accounting for nearly 14 per cent of all the cancers affecting the women in our country, breast cancer happens to top the list of most common cancers in Indian women. In the year 2020, 2.3 million women, across the globe, were diagnosed with the same, making it a cause of concern worldwide. Breast cancer, as the name suggests, originates from the breast cells as a result of certain mutations in their DNA. There are a variety of factors that may be held accountable for such changes, thereby resulting in the formation of a mass or lump, which is commonly referred to as tumours. The unhealthy cells slowly replace the healthy ones and keep on spreading. Although cancer can also affect males, the risks are extremely low.

As per the experts from the best cancer hospital in Pune, The risks of developing breast cancer are higher in women who have a family history of the same. Not only this, there are several other factors that have been associated with the increased prevalence of breast cancer and these include lifestyle choices as well.

Now, let’s get back to why we are actually here - To understand how eating flaxseeds can help lower the risks of breast cancer. So, here are a few reasons, as listed by the best doctor in India.

Flax seeds are a great source of lignans

Lignan is a type of phytoestrogen that is found in a variety of food items. Now, you must be wondering what phytoestrogen means. Well, these are compounds that can copy or mimic the effects of estrogen. Although these are not as powerful, this property can prove to be very helpful in elevating the risks of breast cancer as many studies have shown that lignans can block the synthesis and metabolism of estrogen in the body. A study was conducted in this direction which clearly pointed towards a link between higher consumption of lignans and significantly lower risks of breast cancer.

It is important to understand that there is no proper evidence to suggest that the lignans present in flax seed can help to prevent cancer and research is still going on in the field.

Flax seeds are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids

The health benefits of consuming Omega 3 fatty acids are not something that may surprise most of you as these are widely known and recognised. Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of healthy fat, popularly known to promote the health of the heart and joints. However, what most people do not know is that consuming Omega 3 fatty acids can help to enhance the effectiveness of the drugs given to a breast cancer patient during chemotherapy. This is because the fat can help to block certain pathways, that play a vital role in cell growth. If you plan on taking the seeds while you are undergoing chemotherapy, you need to consult your doctor as it may interfere with the working of certain medications like blood thinners and glucocorticoids. While some studies support the claim that Omega 3 fatty acids present in flax seeds can help to lower the risks of breast cancer development, there is still a need for detailed research work to confirm the same.

Flax seeds are packed with fibre

Did you know that a single tablespoon of flax seeds contains around 2.5 grams of fibre? Great news for all the gym freaks out there, isn't it? It is a well-known fact that eating foods rich in fibre can protect you from avoiding a range of diseases and ailments and surprisingly, these include breast cancer as well. Now, flaxseeds are a great source of fibre but, this only holds true for whole and grounded flax seeds, and not for flax seed oil. Studies have suggested that flax seeds cannot only lower the risk of developing breast cancer but also enhance the outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for the same. Although we still need more research in this direction, there's nothing wrong with adding it to your diet. Before you do so, make sure you consult your doctor.

If you wish to know more about cancer and foods that can help to prevent the same, consult the expert from the best hospital in Pune today.