Ginseng (© Photographer: Walter Graneri | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

If you've been taking shark cartilage to battle cancer it seems it's time to stop. On the other hand, you may well benefit from eating ginseng and flaxseed in a fight against cancer. Those are the conclusions of recent studies aimed at determining the efficacy of popular alternative medicine products.

The study of shark cartilage as a cancer treatment was extensive and conclusive. Researchers described the findings for ginseng and flaxseed as preliminary, but promising. It's too soon to recommend its use, but ginseng may be useful in overcoming cancer fatigue. For now, exercise is a better alternative since it has already proved effective at reducing cancer fatigue.

The flaxseed study was meant to test its ability to battle prostate cancer. It can be presumed to be safe since it's been eaten for centuries in bread and cereal. Flaxseed is high in omega-3 fatty acids and in lignan, the substance researchers believe may be a cancer fighter. Omega-3 fatty acids are widely thought to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

If you’d like to read an Associated Press report on the topic as it appeared in the New York Times go to: Study: Gingseng May Help Fight Cancer

To get more info on preventing & fighting cancer go to: American Cancer Society

To learn more about ginseng go to: Ginseng Board of Wisconsin