Effect of flaxseed gum on reduction of blood glucose and cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients

The effects of ingestion of flaxseed gum on blood glucose and cholesterol, particularly low density lipoprotein cholesterol, in type 2 diabetes were evaluated. Flaxseed gum was incorporated in wheat flour chapattis. Sixty patients of type 2 diabetes were fed a daily diet for 3 months, along with six wheat flour chapattis containing flaxseed gum (5 g), as per the recommendations of the American Diabetic Association. The control group (60 individuals) consumed an identical diet but the chapattis were without gum. The blood biochemistry profiles monitored before starting the study and at monthly intervals showed fasting blood sugar in the experimental group decreased from 154+/-8 mg/dl to 136+/-7 mg/dl (P=0.03) while the total cholesterol reduced from 182+/=11 mg/dl to163+/=9 mg/dl (P=0.03). Results showed a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 110+/=8 mg/dl to 92+/=9 mg/dl (P=0.02). The study demonstrated the efficacy of flax gum in the blood biochemistry profiles of type 2 diabetes. (Authors abstract)

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease, which is clinically characterized by hyperglycaemia. Dietary fibres that are digested slowly reduce carbohydrate digestion and subsequent absorption from the gut. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of consuming flax gums, mucilage, on blood sugar and cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 DM.  In the current study, the consumption of flaxseed gum for 3 months, when incorporated in chapattis, resulted in a significant reduction in the FBS, TC and LDL levels of the subjects, indicating the hypoglycaemic and hypocholesteraemic effects of the flaxseed gum. The possible reason for the hypoglycaemic effect can be attributed to the reduction in the carbohydrate absorption from the gut. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of flaxseed mucilage is attributed to the fact that short-chain fatty acids result in the colon, which in turn inhibits liver cholesterol synthesis, thereby increasing the clearance of LDL from the body. The authors suggest that the present study should be expanded and designed to include a larger population for a longer period of time before any firm recommendation can be made. (Editors comments)