Flaxseeds can lower the risk of breast cancer: Study

Consuming flaxseed can help manipulate the gut bacteria to lower the risk of breast cancer one of the most deadly cancers researchers have demonstrated in a new studyIn the study published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum flaxseed components called lignans were shown to influence the relationship between gut microorganisms and the expression of mammary gland microRNAs miRNAsA subset of these miRNAs regulates the genes involved in breast cancer including genes that control cell proliferation and migrationThe gastrointestinal microbiota plays an important role in modifying many components of our diet to impact human health said Jennifer Auchtung Assistant Professor in the Food Science and Technology Department at the University of NebraskaLincolnIn this study we found correlations between diets enriched in flaxseed cecal microbiota composition and miRNA profiles in the mammary gland that regulate many pathways including those involved in cancer development This preliminary study supports further research into the role that the microbiota plays in dietary approaches to reduce risk factors associated with disease she addedThe researchers studied the effects of flaxseed lignans on the microbiota of young female miceLignans fibreassociated compounds found in many foods and particularly plentiful in flaxseed are associated with reduced breast cancer mortality in postmenopausal womenThe researchers found that lignan components generate specific miRNA responses in the mammary gland miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting the 3 untranslated region of target mRNAsTo determine whether the relationship between the microbiota and mammary gland miRNAs could be manipulated to reduce the risk of breast cancer the researchers fed flaxseed lignan components to female mice to determine whether gut cecal microbiota profiles are related to miRNA expression in the mammary glandThe cecum the first part of the colon located in the right lower abdomen near the appendix is believed to have a role in production of shortchain fatty acids and has been proposed to serve as a reservoir of anaerobic bacteriaOne flaxseed oil lignan requires microbial processing to release bioactive metabolites smallmolecule chemicals produced during metabolism that influence physiology and disease in this case having antitumor effectsThe researchers found that the microbiota and mammary gland miRNA are related and that flaxseed lignans modify the relationship to be noncancer causingIf these findings are confirmed the microbiota becomes a new target to prevent breast cancer through dietary intervention said Elena M Comelli Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of TorontoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever