Can flaxseed ease prostate symptoms?

Q. Has anyone investigated the use of flaxseed oil to ease symptoms of prostate enlargement?

When I was 35, I had a near-fatal stroke caused by a neck injury.

Although I recovered fairly well, I began to experience typical stroke-related aftereffects, such as weakness and fatigue.

My primary-care physician prescribed testosterone.

A gradual side effect of this treatment was prostate enlargement and difficult urination.

A few years ago, I began taking fish oil but ran out while I was on an extended business trip.

The local store was out of fish oil but had flaxseed oil, so I purchased it and began taking it.

About one week later, while urinating, it was like a dam broke, and I was urinating as forceful a stream as I had before the hormone treatment.

The effect wears off within a few days if I forget to take the flax oil, but returns quickly when I resume.

A. We could find no research on flaxseed oil for prostate problems.

We did, however, discover one study suggesting that flaxseed extract could ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (Journal of Medicinal Food, June 2008).

The improvement on the flaxseed was comparable to that seen with prescription drugs.

Q. My son has acne and seborrheic dermatitis. He has been treated with antibiotics that help somewhat but never completely clear it.

I have heard that applying milk of magnesia (MoM) to the face is a low-risk approach.

How effective is it?

A. There are no scientific studies of milk of magnesia applied topically for acne or seborrheic dermatitis.

Some people tell us it is ineffective, while others sing MoM’s praises: “My grandson had severe acne. I sent the column about milk of magnesia for acne to his mother. The next time I saw him, about a month later, I could hardly believe the improvement, about 90 percent better. He applied MoM in the morning and evening and is still using it.”

We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care and Treatment with more details on a variety of approaches for acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. S-28, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Your son also might consider a change of diet. We heard this from a reader: “My 16-year-old daughter had terrible acne. She gave up sugar, dairy and gluten, and started taking natural supplements for other reasons, and her acne disappeared within six weeks. She has beautiful skin now.”

Her experience is supported by research published in the European Journal of Dermatology (online, Sept. 7, 2010).

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.