OMAHA – Adding flaxseeds to juices, salads or pancake batter can help ward off prostate cancer, say experts.

“It’s the omega 3 fatty acids and the lignan present in flaxseed that led us to look at flaxseed’s prostate cancer prevention properties,” said Dr Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, professor of behavioral science at M. D. Anderson and head researcher for a recent study on flaxseed’s potential role as a power food.

Studies have shown that cancer risks, including the risk for prostate cancer, may be reduced by 30 to 40 percent if people ate a more plant-based diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds – including flaxseed.

Experts suggest that how incorporate flaxseed into everyday recipes can help prevent prostate cancer.

Adding ground flaxseed to cookies, muffins or cornbread recipes gives a mild and nutty flavor and tastes great in peanut butter cookies, or in almost any baked good.

Crackers or tortilla chips with flaxseed, baked in, also have a pleasant nutty taste.

Adding ground flaxseed to yogurt or cottage cheese can also be beneficial.

Sprinkle flaxseed over your salad, or mix it into salad dressing.

Sprinkle flaxseed over oatmeal, cold cereal or grits.

Mixing flaxseed into pancake or waffle batter also perks-up the maple syrup.

Stirring ground flaxseed into juice, water, sports drinks or smoothies or sprinkling it over soup could help fight the disease.

Adding flaxseed into low-fat mayonnaise before putting it on a sandwich would not only make for a delicious treat but also help you stay hale and hearty.

“Cancer cells migrate by attaching onto other cells. The omega 3 fatty acids found in flaxseed keep cells from binding together and attaching to blood vessels,” said Demark-Wahnefried.

“Lignan may reduce testosterone and other hormone levels. Lowering testosterone levels may reduce a man’s chances of getting prostate cancer,” the expert added.

Flaxseed is sometimes difficult to digest in its whole form, however, grinding flaxseed makes it more digestible and increases the amount of nutrients absorbed.