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 .
Dietary flaxseed lignan extract lowers plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects.
Lignans , derived from flaxseed , are phyto-oestrogens being increasingly studied for their health benefits . An 8-week , r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled study was conducted in fifty-five hypercholesterolaemic subjects , using treatments of 0 ( placebo ) , 300 or 600 mg/d of dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside ( SDG ) from flaxseed extract to determine the effect on plasma lipids and fasting glucose levels . Significant treatment effects were achieved ( P < 0.05 to < 0.001 ) for the decrease of total cholesterol ( TC ) , LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and glucose concentrations , as well as their percentage decrease from baseline . At weeks 6 and 8 in the 600 mg SDG group , the decreases of TC and LDL-C concentrations were in the range from 22.0 to 24.38 % respectively ( all P < 0.005 compared with placebo ) . For the 300 mg SDG group , only significant differences from baseline were observed for decreases of TC and LDL-C. A substantial effect on lowering concentrations of fasting plasma glucose was also noted in the 600 mg SDG group at weeks 6 and 8 , especially in the subjects with baseline glucose concentrations > or = 5.83 mmol/l ( lowered 25.56 and 24.96 % ; P = 0.015 and P = 0.012 compared with placebo , respectively ) . Plasma concentrations of secoisolariciresinol ( SECO ) , enterodiol ( ED ) and enterolactone were all significantly raised in the groups supplemented with flaxseed lignan . The observed cholesterol-lowering values were correlated with the concentrations of plasma SECO and ED ( r 0.128 - 0.302 ; P < 0.05 to < 0.001 ) . In conclusion , dietary flaxseed lignan extract decreased plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in a dose-dependent manner
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 .