Another failed effort for finding cure
The continued research for an effective cure for hot flashes in menopausal women has failed when flaxseeds were found to be ineffective. The study found that there was no benefit in controlling the symptoms of breast cancer therapy or menopause. The report was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The report stated that one bar of flaxseeds was as ineffective as a placebo in controlling hot flashes in women diagnosed with or without breast cancer.Hot flashes are common in women
The results were very disappointing because the hot flashes are a common symptom for post-menopausal women and survivors of breast cancer. The hormonal changes that that occur as a result of the breast cancer treatment and menopause cause these hot flashes, which are very unpleasant.
Estrogen is effective for controlling hot flashes
Dr. Erica L. Mayer who is a breast cancer oncologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston says that women undergoing endocrine therapy with significant side effects are less likely to be enthusiast about the treatment, which leads to further bad effects. Estrogen therapies have shown to help to reduce the occurrences of hot flashes; however, the treatment has major side effects. These harmful effects include blood clotting and increased risk of a stroke.
Flaxseed was hoped to be effective
The flaxseeds comprise lignans that work against the estrogen. The researchers in the present study of flaxseeds effectiveness to control flaxseeds were working with some raw data. During the study, more than two hundred post-menopausal women were included. These women were known to have at least twenty-eight hot flash incidents during one week. The women were provided either a placebo or a daily bar of flaxseed for a period of six weeks. In addition, approximately fifty percent of the women had been treated for breast cancer.
Results of the study
At the end of six weeks, both the group of women showed a reduction in the number of hot flashes suffered in one week. However, the reduction in both the group was the same, with roughly one-third of the women stating that they had seen a fifty percent reduction in the hot flashes occurrences. In addition, there were several side effects seen in both the groups. The fiber in the placebo and the flaxseeds bar caused bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. Although, the researchers of the study were disappointed, the results have encouraged them to find new compounds that can provide a better lifestyle to women.