ROCHESTER, Minn., June 9 (UPI) -- Flaxseed does not appear to ease hot flashes among breast cancer patients and post-menopausal women, U.S. researchers found.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi of the Mayo Clinic's Breast Diagnostic Clinic and a researcher with the North Central Cancer Treatment Group said the randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 188 women from October to December 2009.
The study found no statistically significant difference in mean hot flash scores between women taking 40 grams of crushed flaxseed daily and those taking a placebo.
"Hot flashes are a common symptom during the menopause transition or following breast cancer treatment," Pruthi said in a statement. "While our preliminary data from our 2007 pilot study showed a reduction in hot flashes associated with the consumption of ground flaxseed, our new study did not result in a significant decrease in hot flashes with eating flaxseed compared to placebo."
Patients shouldn't give up flaxseed if they enjoy them, because flaxseed may be beneficial for people who want to add fiber and bulk to their diet to manage constipation, Pruthi says.
The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.
