Evidence supporting the use of: Flaxseed Oil
For the health condition: Menopause

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Flaxseed oil has traditionally been used to support menopausal symptoms, primarily due to its high content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, and the presence of lignans in whole flaxseed (though these are largely absent from the oil). Historically, some herbalists and alternative medicine practitioners have suggested that flaxseed and its oil may help alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, based on the phytoestrogenic activity of lignans that mimic weak estrogenic effects in the body. However, it's worth noting that flaxseed oil itself contains negligible amounts of lignans compared to whole or ground flaxseed.

Scientific evidence supporting flaxseed oil specifically for menopause is limited and inconclusive. Most clinical studies have focused on whole flaxseed or flaxseed lignans, with mixed results. Some small studies suggest a potential benefit for reducing hot flashes, but larger, well-controlled trials have failed to demonstrate consistent efficacy. For flaxseed oil, the evidence is even weaker, with few studies directly investigating its effects on menopausal symptoms. Therefore, while its use is rooted in tradition and extrapolated from data on whole flaxseed, there is little direct scientific support for flaxseed oil as an effective treatment for menopause.

More about Flaxseed Oil
More about Menopause

Products containing Flaxseed Oil

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.