Natural health: Are flaxseeds harmful and how to deal with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Is it true that flaxseeds can help with breast cancer? I have read information that suggests it is. However, I have also read that flaxseed turns rancid easily and so might actually cause cancer. Please can you clarify?

The lignans present in flaxseeds are what makes this a stand out choice in terms of natural foods to help with reducing tumour growth. Flaxseeds actually contain around 800 times more lignans than most other plant-based foods.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of flaxseeds in breast cancer patients indicated that flaxseeds may have the potential to reduce tumour growth in mere weeks. Flaxseed oil or freshly ground flaxseeds form the basis of many natural cancer protocols, such as Gerson Therapy.

In 2012, an Italian study involving 300 women who had undergone surgery to remove their primary breast tumours found that those who had lower circulating levels of lignans were significantly more likely to die from their cancer returning than those with higher levels of lignans in their bloodstream.

The researchers concluded: “Lignans might play an important role in reducing all-cause and cancer-specific mortality of the patients operated on for breast cancer.”

There was another, much larger, study done in Germany involving 1,140 post-meonpausal women with breast cancer during the period of 2002-2005. Researchers found that those who had high serum levels of lignans had better survival rates — the higher the lignans, the better their chances of living longer, and free of disease.

Flaxseed is very fragile. The oil needs to come from a reliable source, and you should only ever purchase cold-pressed flaxseed oil in dark bottles from a supplier who keeps it refrigerated. Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil should not be heated or used to cook or bake with. As far as ground flaxseed goes – I don’t recommend purchasing pre-ground seeds or mixtures. It is best to buy the whole seeds and then grind only as much as you need. A mortar and pestle is perfect for the job. If you do happen to prepare too much, then you can keep it in the fridge in a sealed container.

What is the best natural way to recover from DOMS?

DOMS, or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, is a pain and stiffness felt in the muscles that can occur anywhere from six to 48 hours after intense physical exercise — or simply if it has been a while since hitting the gym. It was long thought that this was the result of a build up of lactic acid and toxic metabolic waste products, however it is now believed to be a result of microscopic tearing in the connective tissue.

The top recovery tip is to keep hydrated — many people weigh themselves before and after workouts in order to establish how much fluid they need to replace. Using a heat rub, such as Dr Christopher’s Cayenne Heat Balm or a similar product, will help to increase circulation and minimise the pain and stiffness.

On the topic of massage, a foam roller is wonderful for getting deep into tight muscles and optimising the repair and rebuild of tissues. Sleep and rest are also important for recovery.

Both powdered ginger and cinnamon have been shown in a study published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine (April 2013) to help relieve DOMS. Taking just one teaspoon of either kitchen spice daily was found to be enough to result in significantly less muscle soreness than those participants who were taking the placebo.

Ginger has a long-standing reputation for pain relief and improving mobility in arthritic conditions, relieving nausea, and improving blood flow.

Cinnamon is better known for its role in lowering blood sugar levels, improving sensitivity to insulin, and relieving muscle cramping. Both ginger and cinnamon are useful in improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and supporting immune function. The simplest way to get your daily dose of either spice is to add it to food or drinks as a daily preventative measure.