Study Shows Flaxseed Beats HRT in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms

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SeaBreeze

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I only used Red Clover Blossom supplements for my menopausal symptoms, I was against using any hormones. This study shows that flaxseed beats HRT for menopausal symptoms. I sprinkle them over my nonfat greek yogurt every morning, but I'm long past menopause....http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/fl...cing-menopause-symptoms-clinical-study?page=1


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After the three months, the researchers found the groups that consumed the five grams of flax per day had significantly fewer and less-intense menopausal syndrome symptoms.The group that didn't receive any HRT treatment nor flaxseeds (control group) had increased menopausal syndrome symptoms by an average of 7%.
Groups one and two had a decrease in menopausal syndrome symptoms, by an average of nearly 9% and 10%.
This actually means that the daily flaxseeds improved menopausal symptoms by up to 17% when compared to the control group.
Meanwhile, those women who received pharmaceutical HRT drugs also saw their menopausal symptoms decrease, by about 10%. This was slightly higher (10% compared to 9.8%) than group two, but the difference was very slight.


Quality of life scores reveal flax' advantage over HRT


One might wonder what is the advantage of flaxseed over pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy - besides cost. While flaxseed therapy with menopause education basically matched HRT in the reduction of symptoms, there is more to hormonal therapy than simply menopausal syndrome symptoms.


The two flaxseed groups in this study experienced significantly improved Quality-of-Life scores. Group one's QOL scores increased from 38.93 to 49.00, while group two saw QOL scores increase from 38.63 to 41.69.


The HRT group, however, had reduced Quality-of-Life scores. Their scores went down from 37.29 to 34.65.


The control group also had a reduction of Quality-of-Life scores – from 34.94 to 33.82.


This means the Quality-of-Life scores of those who took hormone replacement therapy drugs dropped more than those who didn't do any therapy.


Another obvious advantage for flax relates to side effects. HRT typically comes with a host of side effects. One of these comes from the large Women's Health Initiative, a 15-year study of over 161,000 women. This study found combination HRT therapy (such as in this study), came with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Short-term HRT use also increased inflammation (C-reactive protein). Other studies have shown increased risks of breast cancer with HRT.


Other adverse effects of HRT typically include intestinal irritation, ******l bleeding, nausea, headaches and others.
What this all means is when flax is compared to HRT with a complete spectrum - symptoms plus quality of life plus adverse side effects - we can conclude that flax significantly outperformed HRT in this clinical study.
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More benefits of red clover blossom. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/6-hormone-balancing-powers-red-clover
Menopause can seem like torture. Women at midlife suffer with mood swings, stubborn weight gain, hot flashes, and low energy. At the same time they can develop anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. This natural remedy may provide a perfect solution...



The problem is hormones run amuck.
The ancient Celts had a natural solution - red clover (Trifolium pretense). They considered red clover magical and sacred. It wasn’t just superstition.


Modern research explains why this folk remedy is so effective in helping women at midlife. Red clover contains gentle hormone-balancing plant compounds called isoflavones. These natural chemicals weakly attach to estrogen receptors in the body’s tissues. And they mimic the effects of estrogen.


Isoflavones are also adaptogenic. They sense what the body needs, and adapt their response.


If estrogen levels are low, they act like estrogen. But if estrogen levels are too high, they take up space on the receptors. They block stronger estrogens.


Red clover is so powerful it may be a safe and natural alternative to pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy.

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Flax seeds actually have a lot of health benefits, for people of any age, not just menopausal women. They are a great source of lignin, the only non-seafood source of Omega-3’s, and just a few tablespoons will give you over 8 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein, plus flax contains many other vitamins and minerals.
Most people need more fiber in their diet, and often times the usual source is wheat or oat bran, which adds fiber; but not a lot of other nutrients. Whereas, flax seeds not only supply plenty of fiber, but also add all of the important nutrients as well.
So.....the question is.....how do I eat that flax ?
Suggestions are that you can add it to salads, cottage cheese, smoothies, or soups. I have tried all of these, and it does work just fine.
However, my all-time favorite way is to add flax to either cake mix or cookie mix.
We don’t eat a lot of treats; but it is nice to have something tasty along with my morning coffee, and a cookie or muffin is perfect for that.
I use the cheapest mix I can find , add protein powder, almond meal, and an extra egg or two, (to up the protein quality)and then I add some flax meal and/or whole flax seed, plus a scoop of psyllium husks (which are also a great natural source of fiber), and maybe some ground up carrots or raisins , or dried cranberries.
These are perfect for turning that plain cake or cookie mix into carrot cake or cookies, and you can be as inventive with this as you want to be.

https://draxe.com/10-flax-seed-benefits-nutrition-facts/
 

One 3 month study in Turkey of 140 women broken down into 4 groups of only 35? They don't even discuss "significant" differences, just differences. I wouldn't put much weight into that. But if you search around enough you can find a study that will show anything you want to show. Just my opinion.
 
Thanks Happyflowerlady for the info, more on flaxseeds HERE.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have heard that adding flaxseed to my diet could improve my health, but I know nothing about it. What's the best way to take it?

ANSWER: Flaxseed is a nutritional powerhouse. Its health benefits come from the fact that it's high in fiber and is a rich source of a plant-based type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid. Flaxseed also contains an array of other beneficial nutrients, including soluble and insoluble fiber, antioxidant phytochemicals called lignans, and numerous other vitamins and minerals.


Flaxseed commonly is used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation, but it also may help lower total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The connection between dietary fiber in flaxseed and digestive health is fairly obvious. But when it comes to potential heart health benefits, it’s not clear which components of flaxseed are most beneficial. It’s possible that all components are beneficial or that they may work together.


Ground flaxseed is easier to digest than whole flaxseed. Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, which means you won't get its full nutritional benefit. Flaxseed supplements are available but usually contain only one element of flaxseed nutrition, such as the alpha-linolenic acid -rich oil, thus limiting their benefit. Flaxseed oil is also available. It has more alpha-linolenic acid than ground flaxseed, but it doesn’t contain all the nutrients of ground flaxseed.


The best way to incorporate flaxseed into your diet is by adding 1 to 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to your snacks and meals each day. Flaxseed has a light, nutty taste that can be added to any number of foods. Try mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed into yogurt, or hot or cold breakfast cereal. You could add 1 teaspoon to mayonnaise or mustard when making a sandwich. Or add ground flaxseed to a smoothie, pancake mix or baked goods.


Unripe and raw flaxseed can have toxins that may be harmful in high doses. Consider toasting, cooking or baking the flaxseed to destroy those toxins.
Flaxseed is available in bulk — whole or ground — at many grocery stores and health food stores. Whole seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder and then stored in an airtight container for several months. To preserve the taste and health benefits of flaxseed, keep it in the refrigerator, or freezer and grind it just before using.


Like other sources of fiber, flaxseed should be taken with plenty of water or other fluids. Flaxseed shouldn't be taken at the same time as oral medications or other dietary supplements. As always, talk with your doctor before trying any dietary supplements. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) — Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.N, L.D., Endocrinology/Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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