Flaxseed has a significant impact on reducing the symptoms of menopause, according to ongoing studies. During menopause, a women's body undergoes dynamic change as fluctuating hormone levels influence all areas of her health and well being. During this mid-life change, many menopausal women strive to achieve hormonal balance with the proper combination of diet, exercise and nutrition.

Estrogen begins to slow down during perimenopause, a span of time prior to menopause. The average age for the onset of menopause is 52. However, it may begin as early as 35 and as late as 60.

The decreasing and fluctuating level of estrogen causes the following symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause: irregular periods; hot flashes; night sweats; insominia; mood swings; fluid retention; vaginal dryness; dry skin and hair; depression; and fatigue.

A balanced diet is one of the biggest factors in coping with menopausal symptoms. An element that can help balance a women's hormone level is phytoestrogens, which are natural plant estrogens occurring in many foods, including flaxseed. Noted doctors and researchers such as Nancy Snyderman, M.D., Christine Northrup, M.D., Robert Arnot, M.D., Susan Love, M.D., Susan Lark, M.D., and Susan Weed have advocated eating foods that are high in phytoestrogens.

Dr. Snyderman noted menopause symptoms are generally temporary. She has placed an emphasis on proper diet that will give women extra phytoestrogens. In addition to commenting on the benefits of having women add flaxseed to their daily diet, Dr. Snyderman said: "...flaxseed and certain other foods contain high levels of plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). They are good for reducing hot flashes and other symptoms (and they may also lower your cholesterol and help prevent breast cancer)."

Weaker than human estrogens, phytoestrogens are beneficial in more ways as they attach themselves to the body's estrogen receptors. If a woman's estrogen level is low, phytoestrogens increase the body's level; if it is high, phytoestrogens replace the stronger human estrogen which may have harmful effects.

North American Nutrition - Whole Golden Flax seed