I mentioned several weeks ago that I had begun a daily regimen of Black Cohosh, Flax Seed and Fish Oil. I’m happy to report that the hot flashes that I had been experiencing for more than a year have completely stopped. Based on everything I’ve read, I attributed this to the Black Cohosh, while the Flax Seeds have undoubtedly benefited me in other ways. But a new study suggests that it could have been the flax seed after all.
Granted, the study, reported in the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, was small - 21 women participated – but the results were promising. Each participant ate four tablespoons of crushed flaxseed daily for six weeks (double what I am presently taking). Half of them had a drop in hot-flash frequency and the study concluded that “this reduction is greater than what would be expected with a placebo.”
Even if Flax Seed does not eliminate hot flashes, the plant, which contains Omega 3s, Lignans and Fiber, certainly has other benefits that make it worth taking including;
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Lowering cholesterol
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Stabilizing blood sugar
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Reducing certain inflammations
In fact, it’s being called a new wonder food that may help fight a number of diseases from breast cancer to diabetes and heart disease.
Since our bodies can’t breakdown whole flaxseed, purchase it already ground (I found organic ground flaxseed at Whole Foods) and stir them in yogurt or smoothies. If you like to bake, you can also add ground flaxseed to muffins and breads. You’ll find lots of recipes using Flax as an ingredient in Elaine MaGee’s “The Flax Cookbook” and in “The Amazing Flax Cookbook” by Jane Reinhardt.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
After reading so much about it,, I finally buckled down and got some flax seeds, (the health benefits are too great to pass up).
Surprisingly, when baking with it,, it doesn’t taste half bad! (that’s where my trepidation always lies). I’m going to hunt down “The Flax Cookbook” too!
Hello Wendy
Could you please tell me how much of the black cohosh and flax seed did you take each day?
thanks in advance
Linda
Hi Linda – When I took black cohosh, I used Remifemin, which contains 20 mg of Black Cohosh. As for Flax Seed, I was mixing two tablespoons with yogurt every day. A friend of mine takes twice as much. You’ll need to experiment to find the amount that you’re comfortable with.
Do flaxseed oil tablets work as affectively as the flax seed itself? I am suffering with horrible hot flashes and night sweats and need a natural remedy as I am at high risk for breast cancer.
Thanks, Pamela
Hi Pam – Check out the interview I did last year with Stephanie Stober, a Flax farmer: http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2008/03/10/designer-flax-seed-from-a-north-dakota-farm/#more-99
She explains that it is the lignans found in the outer shell of the flax seed, (which contain a phytoestrogen), that can be particularly beneficial for menopausal women. Taking oil tablets instead of the flax seed itself, she added, would be cheating you out of the benefits derived from the plant seed. However, she cautions that women who have or have had breast cancer should check with their doctors before adding flax to their diets.
I’ve been taking flaxseed and only found out yesterday that I’m not taking enough. I’m going to increase to 1 tablespoon a day, and go up to 4 TBS from there, if necessary.
Glad for this confirmation.
I’ve been having hot flashes several times a day lately that are quite unbearable, I’m almost 50 and have been looking for alternatives to hormone therapy. I started taking a Nutrilite black cohosh and soy 3 times a day with meals, and after almost 2 months, the hot flashes are not at all better. It has made no difference at all. I will be trying fish oil next, my neighbor says she has better success in eliminating hot flashes with that than flaxseed oil. I never tried a combination of the 3 and would like to test each separate to know for sure which is the supplement that really works.
Hi Laura – You should try a high quality Flax Seed, not Flax Oil so you get the benefit of the lignans. See the blogpost that follows this for an explanation by Stephanie Stober, of Flax USA. – Here’s the link:
http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2008/03/10/designer-flax-seed-from-a-north-dakota-farm/
I also recommend that you consult with a naturopathic doctor or “menopause coach” who can suggest other supplements and herbs to help you with hormone balancing. You’ll waste a lot of time and money (and be miserable in the mean time) with a trial and error approach. It’s best to have some testing done to see what the best solution will be for you.
Hi Everyone, wanted to give you an update…last time I blogged here at the end of April, I had already tried black cohosh and soy for my hot flashes and it didn’t help me at all. So I was going to try Fish Oil next since it really helps my neighbor. Well, I am absolutely thrilled to report that Fish Oil has worked wonders! I used to have more than 25 hot flashes a day, and now I hardly have any, maybe 1 or 2 a day if that! I am taking Nature’s Blend Omega-3 Fish Oil 1200 mg and I only take 1 tablet a day with breakfast. My neighbor takes 2 of those a day and the label says to take 1 or 2, but I started with 1 and it has almost completely stopped my hot flashes! So if anyone hasn’t tried it yet, you should probably try it since I am living proof that it works! I’m turning 50 tomorrow and I’m finally feeling fabulous!
Hi Laura – I’m glad to hear you found something (other than HRT) that worked for the hot flashes. It offers many other benefits (cardio-vascular) too, so it’s a good supplement to take.
I’m 55 and have had hot flashes for at least 5 yrs. The doctor did a fsh blood test last Nov and said I’m still not in menopause. She has me n provera 1 tab for 10 days each month. My hot flashes have been intolerable the past week and then it dawned on me I haven’t taken the provera this month. I have been using flaxseed about 1 tbs a day for about 2 weeks, so it’s not helping, should I increase it to 2 tbs a day? I am getting deserate. I sweat from the bottom of my feet to the top on my head. I envy people who just get the flushed face and chest.
Hi Nona- it sounds like you’ve got a bad case of hot flashes! I’ve written about how flax seed can help many women, but it may not be the answer for you. If your doctor prescribed the right dosage of hormones and you follow her directions, you should see good results. If not, speak to her about adjusting the dosage or consult another physician.
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