Effect of Dietary Flaxseed Intake on Circulating Sex Hormone Levels among Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial

[madman]

In conclusion, our findings suggest that dietary flaxseed may modulate estrogen levels and metabolism among postmenopausal women, particularly by increasing circulating 2-hydroxyestrone levels, and consequently, improving the 2:16a-hydroxyestrone ratio. Our results add to the emerging evidence from previous intervention trials suggesting that flaxseed intake may have a role in altering sex hormone profiles which are thought to be involved in breast cancer risk (30–32). In addition, despite minor gastrointestinal side effects reported by some women, a very high adherence to the daily flaxseed intervention was achieved, suggesting it may be a feasible approach at the population level if these findings are replicated in larger trials.