Wonder what flaxseeds could do for your PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders of women of reproductive age, believing to affect up to 15% of the female population. The most common clinical presentations of PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, male pattern hair loss, insulin resistance and obesity.

Patients with PCOS are at increased risk of developing of metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Although the main mechanism leading to PCOS remains unclear, obesity and insulin resistance seem to play a key role in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, exercise, and behavioural therapies, are the first line of treatment for PCOS. Yet, attention to medicinal herbs is on the rise as treatments options expand for this increasingly prevalent condition.   

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissiumum) is a rich source of several biologically active compounds, including α-Linolenic Acid (ALA), phytosterogenic lignans and dietary fibres. Previous studies have shown lignans could reduce the bioavailability of free testosterone through increasing sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels. This randomized controlled clinical trial was the first to explore the effects of flaxseed powder on blood sugar management, BMI, cholesterol markers, inflammatory markers, and androgen profiles in women with PCOS.

The participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 30 g/day brown milled flaxseed together with lifestyle modifications or just lifestyle modifications alone for 12 weeks. The flaxseeds were purchases whole, kept in a dark place, and milled just before use. At the end of the three months results showed that flaxseed powder supplementation among patients with PCOS had a measurable beneficial effect reducing BMI, improving insulin, reducing inflammatory markers and triglycerides, as well as increasing SHBG consequently reducing free androgens in the blood.  

Researchers concluded that 2-3 heaped dessertspoons taken daily of this powerhouse of a seed could be beneficial in patients with PCOS and improve many of the metabolic markers associated with the condition.

Bobbie X

Haidari F, Banaei-Jahromi et al. The effects of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised open-labelled controlled clinical trial. Nutrition Journal 2020; 19:8