Dietary lignans and breast cancer survival:
A study looked at the association between dietary lignin intake and survival. Lignans are antioxidants and phytoestrogens (chemicals that can act like hormone estrogen) found in a variety of plants, which includes flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, rye, soybeans, broccoli and some berries. However, flax seed have the highest amount of lignans available from common nutritional sources. The data used in this study came from 1,122 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1996 and 2001. Diet in the 12-24 months before diagnosis was assessed. For the women enrolled in this study, the main food sources of lignans were dark bread, peaches, coffee, broccoli and winter squash. Researchers estimated the average lignan intake among the women to be 244 mcg/day. They also found a 51% reduction in all cause mortality in those consuming higher lignan levels (the lowest risk of dying was seen in women consuming >318 mcg per day). These same women were far less likely to die of breast cancer. They had a 71% decreased risk of dying of breast cancer. The intake of dried beans was also associated with a 39% reduced risk of all-cause mortality. (12)