Can flaxseed reduce the risk of prostate cancer?

There is limited evidence to support the idea that taking flaxseed might lower your risk of prostate cancer.

Some studies have suggested that flaxseed may have positive effects on the prostate. For instance, one study involving men diagnosed with prostate cancer found that those who took a flaxseed supplement and followed a low-fat diet saw their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels decline. PSA can be a measure of how fast prostate cancer is spreading.

Other studies have shown no positive effect of flaxseed — and the alpha-linolenic acid contained in flaxseed — on prostate health.

Overall, it remains unclear whether flaxseed or flaxseed oil has a role in the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer. Controlled clinical trials may help determine whether or not it's useful in the long term.

With

Nov. 27, 2019 See more Expert Answers

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  10. Chemotherapy
  11. Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment
  12. Chemotherapy and sex: Is sexual activity OK during treatment?
  13. Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense
  14. Choline C-11 PET scan
  15. Cryoablation for cancer
  16. CT scan
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  18. Digital rectal exam
  19. External beam radiation for prostate cancer
  20. Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer?
  21. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy
  22. Ginger for nausea: Does it work?
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  25. MRI
  26. PALS (Pets Are Loving Support)
  27. Pelvic pain
  28. Pomegranate juice: A cure for prostate cancer?
  29. Prostate artery embolization
  30. Prostate cancer
  31. Prostate cancer: Does PSA level affect prognosis?
  32. Prostate cancer brachytherapy: Can I pass radiation to others?
  33. Infographic: Prostate Cancer: Choline c-11
  34. Prostate cancer metastasis: Where does prostate cancer spread?
  35. Prostate cancer prevention
  36. Prostate cancer screening
  37. Prostate cancer treatment: Does initial treatment preclude others later?
  38. Prostatectomy
  39. Proton Beam Therapy
  40. Proton therapy
  41. PSA test
  42. PSA: To Test or Not To Test
  43. Radiation therapy
  44. Seeing Inside the Heart with MRI
  45. Symptom Checker
  46. Ultrasound
  47. Vasectomy: Does it increase my risk of prostate cancer?
  48. MRI
  49. Orchestrating Care (and robotic surgery) for Prostate Cancer - Mayo Clinic