gen metabolites, such as breast-friendly 2-hydroxyestrone. It contains a fiber, lignan, that upon digestion produces two important phytoestrogens capable of stimulating the body’s natural estro- gen receptors in cases of estrogen defi- ciency and blocking both synthetic and natural estrogen when there is excess (as with estrogen-dominant conditions from puberty to menopause). These properties have been confirmed in human clinical studies performed at the University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Thus, flaxseed may be considered a source of plant “estrogen” capable of prompting regression of estrogen-sensitive cancers, including those of the breast and prostate. Extremely versatile in culinary applications, combining flaxseed with ground cumin provides a medicinally potent homemade seasoning supporting women’s hormonal health.


Cumin


Cumin—actually a fruit disguised as a spice—has


tremendous hormone- modulating properties recently confirmed by findings in Experimental Biology and Medicine. Japanese scientists demonstrated that cumin seeds can inhibit loss of bone density and strength as effectively as estrogen in a female rat model of age- associated osteoporosis. They further found that the cumin seeds did not have estrogen’s weight-promoting and possible carcinogenic effects on the uterus.


Imagine the potent hormone-bal- ancing properties of a dinner of steamed rutabaga dressed with ground flaxseeds and cumin with a side of mustard greens with olive oil and pomegranate dressing. It beats a serving of Premarin with a serv- ing of unwanted side effects any day.


Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMed Info.com and advisory board member of the National Health Federation. Tania Melkonian is a certified nutrition- ist and healthy culinary arts educator. Learn more at GreenMedInfo.com.


natural awakenings May 2013 27


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