By Rachel Graham, nutritional therapist and medicinal chef
As women, we are aware, that the transition to menopause can be a bumpy one and many women are quite rightly focused on the more overwhelming symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety and problems with memory and concentration. Flaxseed can help for menopause and for long-term health.
Issues To Consider
During this life stage, we can also find ourselves at an increased risk for four chronic health conditions, that cannot be ignored.
1. Cardiovascular Disease
2. Type 2 Diabetes
3. Osteoporosis
4. Alzheimer’s and Dementia
I call these the Big 4 – because they are serious, chronic health conditions, that have the potential to shorten our life.
Having said that, they are all lifestyle-related diseases. This means that we have control over them, based on our diet and lifestyle choices – which is good news…
However, if we want to successfully control them, we need to prioritise our nutrition and make effective lifestyle changes to reduce our risk.
On World Menopause Day, I want to highlight the benefit of a really good diet. Nothing else will positively impact your long-term health and well-being. It is the number 1 way to avoid and reduce every known risk factor for heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and dementia.
Choosing foods with superpowers can be very helpful!
Some foods contain nutrients with far greater benefits beyond just basic nutrition. Flaxseed is one of those foods, a true superfood to be included in as many ways as possible in our daily diet…
Oestrogen balance
One of the most important benefits of adding flaxseed to your diet at menopause is their high concentration of phytoestrogens.
Flaxseeds are an important source of a group of phytoestrogens called lignans. These plant based balancers have been shown to have a modulating effect on oestrogen, so at peri-menopause and menopause when our body’s oestrogen levels are naturally reducing, they have been found to gently and safely optimise oestrogen levels without any adverse side effects.
Lignans have been well researched for their health benefits at menopause and a daily intake has been shown to help manage hot flushes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms.
Lignans are concentrated in the outer shell, or hull, of the flaxseed, so to get maximum benefits it is important to have milled flaxseed. If you eat them whole, they just go straight through you – keeping you regular but not much else!
Flaxseed and Lignans – Some Quick Facts
1. Flaxseed is the richest source of lignans in the plant world.
2. Lignans are a component of the plant cell wall ( they make up approximately 15% of the plant cell wall)
3. Lignans are also known as phytoestrogens because they can have a similar effect to estrogen in the body
4. Lignans are thought to be able to bind to oestrogen receptors and interfere with the cancer-promoting effects of oestrogen on breast tissue.
Flaxseed has many other nutritional highlights too i.e. they are a good source of fibre, magnesium, potassium and manganese as well as minerals, iron and copper.
Nourishing Your Body
Many of my nutritional recommendations for women in this life stage revolve around nourishing your body with key and important foods! If there was one daily habit for women at peri-menopause, it is to add flaxseed to their diet every day. Packed with phytoestrogens, a good source of fibre and full of plant-based omega 3, flaxseeds can be a really useful ingredient for female hormone balance at this stage of life.
International Menopause Day is a day to take stock of your health and have a health audit. Cleaning up your diet is a good place to start. Your long-term health will thank you.
Any small actions you take now i.e. including lignans from flaxseed in your daily smoothie or porridge is a really easy way to support your menopause transition and potentially avoid chronic diseases in later life. It’s all of these small daily habits that add up in the end so that you see and feel the benefits of your efforts.
You may also like: Natural Remedies For Menopause – All You Need To Know and Food For Symptoms Of Menopause – Your Menopause Diet!
Rachel Graham is a nutritional therapist and medicinal chef with over 25 years food and nutrition experience. Her goal is to help her clients discover ways to consistently eat healthier and therefore feel better! She also teaches medicinal cooking classes i.e. Fermentation, Sourdough Baking, Meal Prep etc..
Last Updated on January 16, 2023 by Editorial Staff
