Flaxseed

Flaxseed and Miscarriage

Flaxseed reduced miscarriages by 64% in cows

The mean diameter of ovulatory follicles was larger in cows fed flax compared with sunflower seeds (16.9 vs. 14.1 mm), but follicle number, corpus luteum size, and plasma progesterone concentrations remained unaffected. Presumptive conception rates to first TAI were greater in flaxseed than in sunflower seeds (72.6 vs. 47.5%). Pregnancy losses were lower in cows fed flax (9.8%) compared with those fed sunflower seeds (27.3%). Including flaxseed in the ration of dairy cows increased the size of the ovulatory follicle and reduced miscarriage.

http://www.ameriflax.com/UserFiles/Image/Lower_pregnancy_losses_Ambrose_et_al_JDS_2006.pdf

Flaxseed reduces miscarriage rate to 0% in cows

Total miscarriage was lower for cows fed flaxseed (0%) compared to those fed either Megalac (15.4%) or micronized soybeans (8.0%). The mean size of the corpus luteum measured during a complete estrous cycle from Week 9 of lactation was smaller for cows fed micronized soybeans (16.3 mm) compared to those fed either flaxseed (19.1 mm) or Megalac (18.3 mm). We inferred that miscarriages could be reduced by feeding whole flaxseed as a result of its effects on different factors such as modulation in concentration of progesterone and size of the corpus luteum.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16735061

Flaxseed and Fertility

Phytoestrogens during the follicular phase increased progesterone and fertility

Endometrial thickness, serum progesterone and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher when phytoestrogens were added to infertility treatment from days 1 to 12.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18413068

Progesterone and Miscarriage

Flaxseed and Hormones

Flaxseed raises progesterone in cows

Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were higher in cows fed flax and sunflower seeds than in those fed saturated fatty acids.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18762721

Flaxseed increases the length of the luteal phase by 1.2 days

We evaluated the effect of the ingestion of flax seed powder, known to produce high concentrations of urinary lignans, on the menstrual cycle in normally cycling women, using a balanced randomized cross-over design. Three anovulatory cycles occurred during the 36 control cycles, compared to none during the 36 flax seed cycles. Compared to the ovulatory control cycles, the ovulatory flax cycles were consistently associated with longer luteal phase lengths (12.6 vs. 11.4). Although flax seed ingestion had no significant effect on luteal phase progesterone concentrations, the luteal phase progesterone/estradiol ratios were significantly higher during the flax cycles. Midfollicular phase testosterone concentrations were slightly higher during flax cycles. Flax seed ingestion had no effect on early follicular phase concentrations of DHEA-S, prolactin, or sex hormone-binding globulin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8077314

Menstrual Cycle and Miscarriage

Flaxseed raises SHBG

Consumption of flaxseed and its isolated lignans have been shown to stimulate SHBG synthesis.

SHBG and Miscarriage

Flaxseed raises SHBG and lowers free estrogen

An observational study of 34 women showed urinary lignan concentrations significantly and directly correlated with SHBG concentrations and inversely correlated with the proportion and concentration of free estradiol.

Estrogen and Miscarriage

10 grams of flaxseed, less than two tablespoons, improves estrogen ratio by 18.9%

This study showed that daily consumption of 10 g of ground flaxseed for two menstrual cycles significantly increased the 2-Hydroxyestrone:16alpha-Hydroxyestrone ratio (the ratio of "good" to "bad" estrogen) in premenopausal women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It also showed that consumption of 28 g of wheat bran (insoluble fiber) did not significantly affect the luteal phase 2-Hydroxyestrone:16alpha-Hydroxyestrone ratio. The flaxseed treatment significantly increased urinary 2-Hydroxyestrone excretion by 30.7% compared with the control treatment. The two treatments containing flaxseed significantly increased the 2-Hydroxyestrone:16alpha-Hydroxyestrone ratio by 18.9%. These results suggest that flaxseed contains components that may be protective against breast cancer in premenopausal women.

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/9/7/719.full

Flaxseed modulates the effects of estrogen, protects against hormone-related cancers

Lignans such as secoisolariciresinol diglucoside in flaxseed, are metabolizes to bioactive mammalian lignans of Enterodiol and Enterolactone. Because mammalian lignans have chemical structural similarity to the natural estrogen, they are thought to behave like selective estrogen receptor modulators and therefore have anticancer effect against hormone-related cancers.

http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/15/16/5161.full

Flaxseed improves estrogen ratio

Lignans are precursors of enterolacton, which inhibits aromatase and reduces the ratio of 16-OH (bad estrogen) over 2-OH (good estrogen) oestrogen metabolites.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14656398

Flaxseed lowers the risk for fibroids by 69%

The trend for a reduced risk of uterine fibroids with increasing quartiles of lignan (abundant in flaxseed) excretion was significant (odds ratio for highest versus lowest quartile = 0.31). When adjusted for age, BMI, race, family history of uterine fibroids, and isoflavone excretion, this trend remained but was attenuated.

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/84/3/587.pdf

Flaxseed Safety

Flaxseed does not cause premature birth; however, flaxseed oil increases risk

In the general population, the average rate of premature births is 2 to 3 percent. But for women consuming flaxseed oil in their last two trimesters that number jumps up to 12 percent," says Bérard. "It's an enormous risk." The correlation existed only with flaxseed oil; women consuming the actual seed were unaffected.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/127630.php