WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Yet more news is surfacing that flaxseed may be beneficial in reducing the risk of prostate cancer, particularly when it's paired with a low-fat diet.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found, in a study of 25 men with prostate cancer, that even short-term diet changes resulted in tumor cells that didn't divide as quickly as those in people not on the diet.

And in men with early-stage cancers, a decrease in PSA levels associated with the cancer was also noted.

(PSA is a protein that the prostate makes, and the levels rise when the prostate becomes diseased or enlarged.)

The diet was given for only 34 days, and researchers admitted they were surprised any changes occurred in such a short time.

"I really didn't think we'd have results like we did, because this was a diet and not drug intervention," said Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, associate research professor in the department of surgery at Duke.

"I am a nutritionist, but usually dietary changes take some time to work. I didn't think there was enough time. But what we saw is that we seem to have enough time, and this diet was really having substantial changes within 34 days."

Coupled with low-fat eating, the diet included three tablespoons a day of finely ground flaxseed sprinkled on cereal or mixed into juices, yogurt or applesauce.

Researchers aren't entirely sure which is the catalyst: the low-fat diet or the flaxseed or both, but the findings are encouraging.

They think dietary fat and fiber can affect hormone levels that put men at risk.

These results capped an earlier Duke experiment with a man who had a precancerous condition, was put on the diet, and after six months was found to have abnormal cells that were dying.

"That was our first success story," Demark-Wahnefried said.

(Preliminary results using mice also back up the findings in humans.)

While previous studies have shown flaxseed may hinder the development of different types of cancer, Demark-Wahnefried urges caution in interpreting her results.

And ever the science-minded analyst, she didn't hesitate to point out there are others, particularly Dr. Charles Myers of the University of Virginia and publisher of "The Prostate Forum," who are no fans of a component of flaxseed, alpha-linolenic acid.

At least one study has shown it can actually increase prostate cancer cells, she said. But she added the fatty acid, when not in flaxseed, doesn't have the naturally occurring antioxidants within the seed to protect it.

Hers was a small, short-term study, and more expansive trials are needed. In fact, she may be doing them.

"The good news is we had put in an application to NCI (the National Cancer Institute) and it looks as though we're going to be funded. That will be the one (to come out with important test results).

"This study (the one just completed) is a labor of love. The pathologist worked for muffins and fruit!"

Flax muffins, of course.

On Health is a weekly column on health issues. If you have questions or comments, write Carolyn Susman at The Palm Beach Post, P.O Box 24700, West Palm Beach, Fla. 33416, call 820-4433 or e-mail carolynsusma@bpost.com

From Healthy.net