Ninety non-insulin dependent menopausal diabetic female subjects free from serious complications were selected and equally divided into three groups viz. E1, E2 and C. Subjects of group E1 and E2 were provided 15g and 20 g of flaxseed powder for a period of two months respectively, while group C was not given any supplementation. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, blood glucose levels and menopausal symptoms of all the subjects were recorded before and after the supplementation period. It was observed that after the supplementation period, significant (p≤0.01) decrease in the cereal intake was reported in both the experimental groups. After the supplementation, it was seen that fasting blood glucose level decreased from 135.75±2.09 to 127.01±2.16 and 132.73±2.15 mg/dl to 115.46±2.00mg/dl and post prandial blood glucose level decreased from 190.4±8.44 to 175.23±8.52 and 188.23±8.77mg/dl to 152.23±6.67mg/dl in the subjects of group E1 and E2 respectively. Decrease in weight and BMI was observed in group E1 and E2. Further it was observed that menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, depression, night sweats, lack of sleep and burning sensation were relieved. It can be inferred from the results that better improvement in the blood glucose levels and menopausal symptoms was observed among the subjects of group E2 as compared to group E1. Hence can be a panacea in counteracting the problems of menopausal diabetic patients.
Anthropometry, Diabetes, Flaxseed (Linseed), Menopause, Supplementation
