Though the jury is out about the benefits of flax for hot flushes, many of my clients have found that including 2 tablespoons 1-2 x per day of fresh ground flaxseeds to their breakfast/smoothie combined with lifestyle changes can make their hot flushes more manageable or disappear. Flaxseeds plus lentils, beans and their cute sprouted forms as well as fermented soy like tempeh and miso all contain the highest levels of PHYTO-estrogens; plants which can give your flagging hormones a lift for some women.  

Flaxseeds improve your lipid profile due to their high levels of essential fats and can also help your body excrete “bad” estrogens reducing breast cancer risk (University of Leeds 2013). A high plant based diet, including cruciferous vegigies like broccoli, cabbage, rocket, green beans, nuts and seeds and wholegrains are wonderful hormone balancers. Popular little chia and hemp seeds, whilst they don’t contain plant estrogens they still pack a punch with essential omega fats, helping with inflammation, pain and hormone regulation.  

But get this…stress hormones are THE big players in triggering hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. So imagine what could happen to your hormones if you tried adding flax to your breakfast, lentils, sprouts and beans to your lunch, upped your veggies and tried a delicious tempeh and sweet potato curry for dinner (see recipe below)? Check in with your relationship with caffeine, alcohol, fast food and sugar too ….not your best friends when it comes to happy hormones. Feel your mind/body getting lighter with belly breathing, mindfulness and exercise…. and whammo your hormones are back on track! 

photo credit: tricky (rick harrison) via photopin cc