Conclusions Whole flaxseed , but not flaxseed oil and lignan extract , has significant effects on improving glycemic control .
Context The results of human clinical trials investigating the effects of flaxseed on glucose control and insulin sensitivity are inconsistent .
Objective The present study aim ed to systematic ally review and analyze r and omized controlled trials assessing the effects of flaxseed consumption on glycemic control .
Decreasing the Linoleic Acid to α-Linolenic Acid Diet Ratio Increases Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Erythrocytes in Adults
The n-6/n-3 fatty acid ( FA ) ratio has increased in the Western-style diet to ~10–15:1 during the last century , which may have contributed to the rise in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Prior studies have evaluated the effects on CVD risk factors of manipulating the levels of n-6 and n-3 FA using food and supplements or investigated the metabolic fate of linoleic acid ( LNA ) and α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) by varying the n-6/n-3 ratios . However , no previous studies have investigated the potential interaction between diet ratios and supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA , 20:5n-3 ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA , 22:6n-3 ) . We used a factorial design approach with adults ( n = 24 ) in a controlled feeding trial to compare the accretion of EPA and DHA into red blood cell membranes ( RBC ) by adding a direct source ( algal oil supplement ) of EPA and DHA in a diet with a 10:1 versus 2:1 ratio of n-6/n-3 FA . Subjects were r and omized into 8-week crossover diet sequences and each subject consumed three of four diets [ 10:1 , 10:1 plus supplement ( 10:1 + S ) , 2:1 and 2:1 + S ] . LNA and ALA intakes were 9.4 and 7.7 % , and 1.0 and 3.0 % during the low and high ALA diets , respectively . Compared to the Western-style 10:1 diet , the 2:1 diet increased EPA by 60 % ( P < 0.0001 ) in RBC membranes without the direct EPA source and a 34 % increase ( P = 0.027 ) was observed with the 10:1 + S diet ; however , DHA levels increased in both diet ratios only with a direct DHA source . Shifting towards a 2:1 diet is a valid alternative to taking EPA-containing supplements
Conclusions Whole flaxseed , but not flaxseed oil and lignan extract , has significant effects on improving glycemic control .
Context The results of human clinical trials investigating the effects of flaxseed on glucose control and insulin sensitivity are inconsistent .
Objective The present study aim ed to systematic ally review and analyze r and omized controlled trials assessing the effects of flaxseed consumption on glycemic control .