CHICAGO (AP) - Women looking for a natural remedy for a common menopause problem have a disappointment. A study finds that eating flaxseed does not curb hot flashes.
Hormone pills ease hot flashes, but they can raise the risk of breast cancer and are not safe for women who have had that disease. Flaxseed has weak hormonal effects, and doctors thought it might help.
Mayo Clinic researchers tested it in 178 women who had at least 28 hot flashes a week. About half previously had breast cancer.
They were given protein-and-fiber snack bars with or without flaxseed. After six weeks, a third of each group reported fewer hot flashes, and all reported more bloating, diarrhea and nausea.
Results were reported Sunday at a cancer conference in Chicago.
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Online:
Menopause treatment: http://tinyurl.com/438v2vv