Flax seeds sesame seeds and Vitamin E

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Hello again

I’ve stopped taking supplements that contain Vitamin E because because the advice is to avoid it . I took Evening Primrose Oil which I took for many years and have now found out is a natural source of Vitamin E so I stopped that as well. I’m trying to eat a better diet and have started having a tablespoon of golden flax seeds with my breakfast most mornings and also developed a liking for black sesame seeds. Then I find out that these foods are also a natural source of Vitamin E and have a phytoestrogen like effects . I’m wondering if this is a situation like soy where the advice is to avoid the supplements but it’s considered ok to eat . I’ve read the Memorial Sloan Kettering page on flax seeds which seems a bit contradictory in relation to Er+ BC but I just wondered if there is an official position on this in the UK in thee same way that there is on soy.

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Hi Joanne, I’ve found things related to diet a bit of a minefield since finishing chemo. Like you, I am very keen to have a healthy and nutritious diet. I have been working with a nutritionist (specialised in helping women after BC) and she has recommended ground flaxseeds on my breakfast each morning (as well as other foods which contain phytoestrogens). The effect of phytoestrogens in foods is extremely low in comparison to ‘human estrogen’ and there is even some evidence now suggesting phytoestrogens may ‘outcompete’ human estrogen in the body. I have also checked this with the pharmacist where I had my chemo and she advised our bodies are very clever and only absorb as much of a certain vitamin from foods as our bodies need. I only take one supplement, a Vitamin D supplement, as recommended by the nutritionist and ok’d by my oncologist and pharmacist. Wishing you well on your journey xx

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Thank you Jess that is really helpful :blush:. Xx

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Hi JoanneN,

Thank you for posting. Many people ask about vitamin and herb supplements as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy. There is often the belief that vitamins and herbs are safe as they are considered natural. However, there is much we don’t know about supplements and herbal remedies. Herbal treatments don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do.

For many products there is a lack of research to support their use, and some, like vitamin E, can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments so do tell your specialist about any supplements you’re taking or considering taking.

You mention that you have already used the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, for information about individual herbs and vitamins. You can also search herbal products and supplements on the European website Complementary and Alternative Medicine for cancer and on the American website Medicine Plus

As @Jess­_1 says there is not a significant phytoestrogen effect from vitamins in food and therefore it is not necessary to avoid certain food types containing vitamin E. There is evidence that a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk of a breast cancer recurrence and you may find it helpful to read our diet and breast cancer booklet and to watch our video on diet and nutrition.

You may also be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses and include a session on diet and nutrition. You can attend Moving Forward either at our face-to-face course or take part by joining online. Find a course near you or register for an online course via the links above or call us on 03457 077 1893.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK - prefix 18001).

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Best wishes

Katy

Breast Care Nurse

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