|
From The October 2000 Issue of Nutrition Science News
Nutrition Q & A
with Dan Lukaczer, N.D.
Flaxseed Lignans Show Chemoprotective Effects
Is it true that flaxseed may have some use in cancer protection?
Flaxseed is often recommended because it is a rich vegetarian source of alpha- linolenic acid (LNA), the precursor to the important omega-3 fats eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosohexenoic acid (DHA). Flaxseed oil contains approximately 50 to 60 percent LNA. Flaxseeds are also a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and therefore are useful in promoting bowel regularity.
Research also shows flaxseed powder is important for another reason—it contains lignans. Plant lignans, which are similar to isoflavones found in soy, are a family of highly potent phytochemicals. The plant lignans found in flax, namely matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol, must be converted by gut bacteria to mammalian lignans, namely enterolactone and enterodiol. These mammalian lignans have been shown to have chemoprotective effects in cell and animal studies. The most plausible reason why is that lignans structurally resemble estrogens and may function as weak estrogens or estrogen antagonists.7 Therefore, their effects may influence endogenous hormone production and metabolism.
Epidemiological studies show breast cancer patients have low urinary excretion of enterolcatone and enterodiol, suggesting that consumption of lignans may exert cancer-preventive or protective effects.8 While lignans are found in a variety of legumes and grains, by far the most abundant source of these important phytochemicals is flaxseed.
Studies Show DHEA Quells Lupus
A customer with lupus says she heard that the natural supplement DHEA may be helpful. Is that true?
The hormone DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, may be helpful for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an inflammatory connective tissue disorder of unknown cause that occurs predominately in young women and children. The symptoms are varied but often include joint pain, skin rashes and kidney malfunction. In the past decade, first animal and then human trials have suggested that DHEA may be useful in improving the symptoms of this disease. To date, DHEA has shown promise for the treatment of SLE in three controlled and several uncontrolled clinical trials, including one large multicenter study comprising nearly 200 patients.
The main benefits of DHEA seem to be a decrease in bodily corticosteroid requirements and improved overall symptomatology.1 The dosages used have been extremely high, between 50 and 200 mg daily, and the trials have been for only six months to a year in length.2
Although the results were positive, and the side effects generally limited to acne, you should keep in mind that DHEA is a powerful adrenal steroid hormone. While it may be readily available and does not require a prescription, it is not without its risks. Long-term consequences of using this hormone, particularly at the high dosages used in these studies, are unclear. One should be extremely cautious with this substance, and I urge using it only under the guidance of a physician who has knowledge and experience with it.
Natural Remedies for Hepatitis C
Are there any natural treatments for hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C has emerged as a serious health problem in the United States. Currently, it is estimated that 4 million Americans have hepatitis C, and the mortality figures—now at 8,000 to 10,000—may triple in the next ten years, rivaling HIV.3,4 The disease has a latency of 10 to 30 years and symptoms or signs may not appear until cirrhosis is evident. Unfortunately, conventional therapy using drugs such as interferon and ribavirin have not been that successful.5
Recently, an interesting report from New Mexico State University suggested that a conservative approach using a combination of three antioxidants and liver-protective substances—lipoic acid, selenium and milk thistle (Silybum marianum)—may be beneficial. The paper described three patients who had been diagnosed with hepatitis C. They were each put on this combination therapy consisting of daily doses of 400 mcg selenium, 600 mg lipoic acid and 280 mg of a standardized milk thistle extract. All three patients showed significant improvement in symptoms and decreases in liver enzymes.6 While this certainly should be followed up with further studies, it does offer a safe therapy that may have some place in the long-term treatment of hepatitis C.
Dan Lukaczer, N.D., is director of clinical services at the Functional Medicine Research Center, a division of HealthComm International Inc., in Gig Harbor, Wash.
References
1. van Vollenhoven RF. Dehydroepiandro sterone in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2000 May;26(2):349-62.
2. Barry NN, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship between dosage, serum levels, and clinical response. J Rheumatol 1998 Dec;25(12):2352-6.
3. Patrick L. Hepatitis C: epidemiology and review of complementary/alternative medicine treatments. Altern Med Rev 1999 Aug;4(4):220-38.
4. Shehab TM, et al. Current practice patterns of primary care physicians in the management of patients with hepatitis Hepatology 1999 Sep;30(3):794-800.
5. Gitnick G. Hepatitis C: controversies, strategies and challenges. Eur J Surg Suppl 1998;(582):65-70.
6. Berkson BM. A conservative triple antioxidant approach to the treatment of hepatitis C. Combination of alpha lipoic acid (thioctic acid), silymarin, and selenium: three case histories. Med Klin 1999 Oct 15;94 Suppl 3:84-9.
7. Adlercreutz H, et. al. Effect of dietary components, including lignans and phytoestrogens, on enterohepatic circulation and liver metabolism of estrogens and on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). J Steroid Biochem 1987;27:1135-44.
8. Adlercreutz H. Epidemiology of phytoestrogens. Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998 Dec;12(4):605-23.
|
