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 .
High dose flaxseed oil supplementation may affect fasting blood serum glucose management in human type 2 diabetics.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized partially by elevated fasting blood serum glucose and insulin concentrations and the percentage of hemoglobin as HbA1c . It was hypothesized that each of blood glucose and its co-factors insulin and HbA1c and would show a more favorable profile as the result of flaxseed oil supplementation .  Patients were recruited at r and om from a population pool responding to a recruitment advertisement in the local newspaper and 2 area physicians . Completing the trial were 10 flaxseed oil males , 8 flaxseed oil females , 8 safflower ( placebo ) oil males and 6 safflower oil females . Patients visited on two pre-treatment occasions each three months apart ( visits 1 and 2 ) . At visit 2 subjects were r and omly assigned in double blind fashion and in equal gender numbers to take flaxseed oil or safflower oil for three further months until visit 3 . Oil consumption in both groups was approximately 10 g/d . ALA intake in the intervention group was approximately 5.5 g/d . Power was 0.80 to see a difference of 1 mmol of glucose /L using 12 subjects per group with a p < 0.05 . Flaxseed oil had no impact on fasting blood serum glucose , insulin or HbA1c levels . It is concluded that high doses of flaxseed oil have no effect on glycemic control in type 2 diabetics
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 .