Lignans can keep breast cancer at bay
Adopting a diet rich in estrogen-like plant chemicals called lignans can lower the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women, a new study finds.
Lignans are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens, estrogen-like chemicals which act as antioxidants. Pinoresinol, podophyllotoxin, and steganacin are some examples of the compound.
Flax seed and sesame seed are among the highest known sources of lignans. The compound is also found in cereals (rye, wheat, oat and barley), pumpkin seeds, soybeans, broccoli, kale, green tea, beans and some berries.
According to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, postmenopausal women with the highest intakes of dietary lignans are 14 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, the leading cause of malignancy in women.
Such an association, however, is not reported in premenopausal women, the study found.
"Therefore, it might be advisable for postmenopausal women to include some lignan-rich foods in their diets," said lead researcher Jenny Chang-Claude.
Source: presstv.ir
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