Efficacy of flaxseed crackers in ameliorating clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in young adult south indian women diagnosed with PCOS

Abstract

Young women of reproductive age are more prone to hormonal/endocrine disorders, the most common being Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Research in different cultural contexts to enhance the physical, emotional, social, and reproductive health of women has been the focus of several scientific studies. High lignan foods reduce the bioavailability of free testosterone through increasing Sex hormone Binding globulin (SHBG) levels. A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out among women of 20 - 25 years from a single on-campus hostel facility in Chennai, India based on the Rotterdam criteria of PCOS diagnosis. The results showed a statistically significant lower serum free testosterone concentrations (1.02 ± 0.428 ng/dl) in the flax group compared to the placebo (1.64 ± 0.504 ng/dl), after the study period. Similarly, it was noted that the lowered levels of Sex hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) were elevated to 15.22 ± 14.593 nmol/L as compared to only 9.64 ± 5.124 nmol/L in the placebo though not statistically significant, thus creating a promising platform for improving the imbalances in the hormone levels. Also, elevated serum insulin concentration was lowered in the flax group (15.67 ± 6.928 µU/mL) than the control group (19.09 ± 8.526 µU/mL). The FG score significantly reduced in the flax group thus alleviating the clinical manifestation of hirsutism. Lowering of free testosterone, serum insulin, and elevation of serum SHBG levels is attributed to the phytoestrogen (SDG) present in flaxseeds and can be an ideal alternate replacing the conventional drugs for PCOS.