Taking the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and possibly women with diabetes.

According to a new study in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, researchers have found that when they gave flaxseed oil to female rats who had either had their ovaries removed or were diabetic, they reported a lower risk of developing osteoporosis.

However, the rats that had both post-menopausal symptoms and were diabetic were still considered at high risk for developing the disease.

It was also found that diabetes tends to have a stronger effect on the bones than menopausal symptoms, which is why those with the disease still may be at risk whether they take flaxseed oil or not.

Because of this, the researchers are looking for more studies to be done to understand why flaxseed oil cannot diminish the risk factors for diabetes.

“We recommend further investigations using animals and humans to confirm the effect of using dietary flaxseed oil to improve bone health and to prevent osteoporosis,” the researchers wrote.