Menopause marks a turning point for women and their bone health. After menopause, women are more vulnerable to osteoporosis.
This is a condition that decreases the density of the bones. It can make bones dangerously porous, leaving them weak, brittle, and liable to break easily.
If these women are also diabetic, they are at even greater risk for osteoporosis.
In November of 2009, Medical News Today reported on new data that involves osteoporosis and flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil seems to be beneficial for building and maintaining bone mineral density, reducing the effects of osteoporosis. Adding flaxseed oil to the diet could be a significant step forward in the prevention of osteoporosis for post-menopausal women who also have diabetes.
The research was performed at the National Research Center in Cairo, Egypt. The studies' findings were published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.
It appears that post-menopausal women who have diabetes are more vulnerable to osteoporosis than women who are only experiencing the natural decrease of sex hormones that normally occur with menopause.
The researchers' findings suggest that it may be possible that flaxseed oil's omega-3 fatty acids protect bone health, aiding in normalizing bone mineralization and inhibiting the adverse effects of diabetes and menopause. Bone mineralization is a process where bone-forming cells produce calcium phosphate crystals, placing them within the bone's matrix.
Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is a seed that comes from the flax plant. Flax grows in the northwestern U.S. and in Canada.
The oil of flaxseed has a number of different applications. It has been used to treat arthritis, as well as breast pain and hot flashes associated with menopause. Flaxseed is also used to lower cholesterol levels and may help to prevent some types of cancer.
Flaxseed can be used in crushed or whole form, and may be mixed with water or juice. It can also be bought as a powder, and the oil can be purchased as a liquid or in capsules.
The soluble fiber in flaxseed has a laxative effect. It should be taken with plenty of liquids to prevent intestinal blockage and constipation.
Whole or crushed flaxseed contains lignans which are plant estrogens known as phytoestrogens. These lignans are not present in flaxseed oil. Alpha-linolenic acid is a component of flaxseed and its oil that may help with heart disease.
Use of flaxseed should be avoided when you are taking any type of oral medications or nutritional supplements.
Resources:
Osteoporosis And Flaxseed Oil
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172022.php
Flaxseed oil could reduce the risk of osteoporosis
http://www.naturalnews.com/027629_flaxseed_oil_osteoporosis.html
Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/ataglance.htm
Scientists Gain New Clues to Bone Mineralization
http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/bone_mineralization.asp
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