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Flaxseed oil stimulates gynecomastia
Tsuneo Takenaka1, Mayuko Nagano2, Koji Yamashita2
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kokusai Iryo Fukushi Daigaku Daigakuin-Tokyo Aoyama Campus, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan takenaka@iuhw.ac.jp.
BMJ Case Reports
|December 11, 2020
Summary
Flaxseed oil, rich in lignans, may cause gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in men. This case highlights the potential hormonal effects of phytoestrogens from flaxseed oil in susceptible individuals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutrition Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Flaxseed oil is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties due to its lignan content.
- Phytoestrogens, plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity, are present in flaxseed oil.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old male with hyperlipidemia began daily flaxseed oil supplementation.
- He subsequently developed left breast swelling and pain, with imaging revealing a mammary gland tumor.
Findings:
- Breast biopsy confirmed gynecomastia with ductal hyperplasia, not malignancy.
- The patient's breast epithelial cells were estrogen receptor-positive, suggesting a hormonal influence.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between flaxseed oil (phytoestrogens) and gynecomastia in men.
- Further research is warranted to understand the endocrine effects of flaxseed oil and its lignans.
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