Evidence supporting the use of: Flaxseed Fiber
For the body system: Estrogen

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Flaxseed fiber is used to support the estrogen body system due to its high content of lignans, which are a type of phytoestrogen—plant-derived compounds that can weakly mimic or modulate the effects of estrogen in the body. Several studies have shown that flaxseed consumption can influence estrogen metabolism, potentially leading to a more favorable estrogen profile, especially in women. For instance, randomized controlled trials have found that flaxseed supplementation may alter the ratio of estrogen metabolites, increasing the production of 2-hydroxyestrone relative to 16α-hydroxyestrone, a shift considered by some researchers to be protective against hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer.

However, the magnitude of effect and its clinical relevance remain areas of ongoing research. While some epidemiological studies suggest a link between high dietary intake of lignans (often from flaxseed) and reduced risk of breast cancer, other studies have found no significant effect. The evidence is stronger in terms of flaxseed’s impact on estrogen metabolism than on direct clinical outcomes. The role of flaxseed fiber, specifically (as opposed to whole flaxseed or flaxseed oil), is primarily related to its lignan content, which is highest in the fibrous outer shell of the seed. Therefore, flaxseed fiber supplements can be considered a source of phytoestrogens, though the evidence supporting their use for estrogen balance or hormone-related conditions is moderate rather than robust.

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