THE EFFECTS OF FLAX SEED CONSUMPTION ON SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF HEALTHY OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE WOMEN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL CLINICAL TRIAL

Background and Aim: Flaxseed contains ω-3 fatty acids, lignans and a fiber that together may provide benefits for improvement of a lipid profile in patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of flaxseed consumption on serum lipid profile in healthy overweight or obese women.Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 overweight or obese women. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups; a) a balanced diet plus 30 g/day milled Flax seed and b) a balanced diet plus 30g/day milled rice (as a control group), for 12 weeks. At the baseline and at the end of 12 weeks, 5 mL of blood was collected after a 12-hour fast, then serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high–density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured.Results: Serum concentrations of triglyceride (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (P < 0.001), LDL-C (P < 0.001) decreased significantly in the flaxseed group at the end of week 12 compared with baseline. However, serum HDL-C did not show a significant increase (p=.57). These changes in the flaxseed group were not significant in comparison with the control group.Conclusion: Despite the fact that there was no significant difference between the two groups, it seems that consuming flaxseed can produce a clinically desirable effect on the serum lipid profile and it can be helpful.

Keywords:

flax seed , lipid profile , obesity , overweight , women