Effect of flax seed ingestion on the menstrual cycle.

• DOI: 10.1210/jcem.77.5.8077314
• Publication Date: 2014-01-08T11:57:58Z
• Authors: W R Phipps; M C Martini; J W Lampe; J L Slavin; M S Kurzer
• Keywords: Enterolactone

Lignans are a group of phytochemicals shown to have weakly estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties. Two specific lignans, enterodiol enterolactone, absorbed after formation in the intestinal tract from plant precursors particularly abundant fiber-rich food excreted urine. We evaluated effect ingestion flax seed powder, known produce high concentrations urinary on menstrual cycle 18 normally cycling women, using balanced randomized cross-over design. Each subject consumed her usual omnivorous, low fiber (control) diet for 3 cycles supplemented with another cycles. The second third were compared control Three anovulatory occurred during 36 cycles, none Compared ovulatory consistently associated longer luteal phase (LP) lengths (mean +/- SEM, 12.6 0.4 vs. 11.4 days; P = 0.002). There no significant differences between either estradiol or estrone early follicular phase, midfollicular LP. Although had LP progesterone concentrations, progesterone/estradiol ratios significantly higher Midfollicular testosterone slightly Flax DHEA-S, PRL, sex hormone-binding globulin. Our data suggest role lignans relationship steroid action, possibly risk breast other hormonally dependent cancers.