Lifestyle Counseling and Supplementation with Flaxseed or Walnuts Influence the Management of Metabolic Syndrome1�4
Lifestyle Counseling and Supplementation with Flaxseed or Walnuts Influence the Management of Metabolic Syndrome1�4
Year: 2010
Authors: Wu, H. Pan, A. Yu, Z. Qi, Q. Lu, L. Zhang, G. Yu, D. et. al.
Publication Name: J. Nutr.
Publication Details: Volume 140; Pages 1937 – 1942.
Abstract:
A healthy lifestyle may ameliorate metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, it remains unclear if incorporating nuts or seeds into lifestyle counseling (LC) has additional benefit. A 3-arm, randomized, controlled trial was conducted among 283 participants screened for MetS using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. Participants were assigned to a LC on the AHA guidelines, LC + flaxseed (30 g/d) (LCF), or LC + walnuts (30 g/d) (LCW) group. After the 12-wk intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased significantly in all groups: 216.9%(LC),220.2% (LCF), and 216.0% (LCW). The reversion rate of MetS, i.e. those no longer meeting the MetS criteria at 12 wk, was not significantly different among groups (LC group, 21.1%; LCF group, 26.6%; and LCW group, 25.5%). However, the reversion rate of central obesity was higher in the LCF (19.2%; P = 0.008) and LCW (16.0%; P = 0.04) groups than in the LC group (6.3%). Most of the metabolic variables (weight, waist circumference, serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, ApoE, and blood pressure) were significantly reduced from baseline in all 3 groups. However, the severity of MetS, presented as the mean count of MetS components, was significantly reduced in the LCW group compared with the LC group among participants with confirmed MetS at baseline ( P = 0.045). Our results suggest that a low-intensity lifestyle education program is effective in MetS management. Flaxseed and walnut supplementation may ameliorate central obesity. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration are needed to examine the role of these foods in the prevention and management of MetS. (Author�s abstract)
This research suggests that lifestyle counselling (LC) in combination with flaxseed and walnut supplementation could be useful in the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Several metabolic abnormalities are involved in MetS including central obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and hyperglycemia, which can lead to the enhanced development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Two-hundred and eighty-three 283 participants were screened for MetS using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. Participants were assigned to a LC on the AHA guidelines, LC + flaxseed (30 g/d) (LCF), or LC + walnuts (30 g/d) (LCW) group. After the 12-wk intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased significantly in all groups: 216.9% (LC), 220.2% (LCF), and 216.0% (LCW). The reversion rate of MetS, i.e. those no longer meeting the MetS criteria at 12 wk, was not significantly different among groups (LC group, 21.1%; LCF group, 26.6%; and LCW group, 25.5%). However, the reversion rate of central obesity was significantly higher in the LCF (19.2%) and LCW (16.0%) groups than in the LC group (6.3%). Most metabolic variables (weight, waist circumference, serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, ApoE, and blood pressure) were significantly reduced from baseline in all 3 groups. Among participants with central obesity at baseline, flaxseed incorporation decreased fasting glucose and prevented an increase in HbA1c. The severity of MetS, assessed by the investigators as the mean count of MetS components, was significantly reduced in the LCW group compared with the LC group among participants with confirmed MetS at baseline. This is one of the first studies to show the effects of flaxseed and walnut supplementation in reducing central obesity as well as the severity of MetS in a high risk population. After the 12-wk intervention, a 16.7% reduction of MetS was observed prompting the authors to suggest that a low-intensity LC program could be useful for MetS management. Participants in the LCF group showed a tendency to lose more weight than those in the LC group. The authors postulated that the seed and nut derived dietary PUFA might serve as an important modulator for body fat deposition. In concluding, the investigators stated that although flaxseed or walnut supplementation did not provide additional benefits on blood lipids, incorporating these foods into diets may improve central obesity status. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration are needed to examine the role of these foods in the prevention and management of MetS. (Editor's Comments)
This research suggests that lifestyle counselling (LC) in combination with flaxseed and walnut supplementation could be useful in the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Several metabolic abnormalities are involved in MetS including central obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and hyperglycemia, which can lead to the enhanced development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Two-hundred and eighty-three 283 participants were screened for MetS using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. Participants were assigned to a LC on the AHA guidelines, LC + flaxseed (30 g/d) (LCF), or LC + walnuts (30 g/d) (LCW) group. After the 12-wk intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased significantly in all groups: 216.9% (LC), 220.2% (LCF), and 216.0% (LCW). The reversion rate of MetS, i.e. those no longer meeting the MetS criteria at 12 wk, was not significantly different among groups (LC group, 21.1%; LCF group, 26.6%; and LCW group, 25.5%). However, the reversion rate of central obesity was significantly higher in the LCF (19.2%) and LCW (16.0%) groups than in the LC group (6.3%). Most metabolic variables (weight, waist circumference, serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, ApoE, and blood pressure) were significantly reduced from baseline in all 3 groups. Among participants with central obesity at baseline, flaxseed incorporation decreased fasting glucose and prevented an increase in HbA1c. The severity of MetS, assessed by the investigators as the mean count of MetS components, was significantly reduced in the LCW group compared with the LC group among participants with confirmed MetS at baseline. This is one of the first studies to show the effects of flaxseed and walnut supplementation in reducing central obesity as well as the severity of MetS in a high risk population. After the 12-wk intervention, a 16.7% reduction of MetS was observed prompting the authors to suggest that a low-intensity LC program could be useful for MetS management. Participants in the LCF group showed a tendency to lose more weight than those in the LC group. The authors postulated that the seed and nut derived dietary PUFA might serve as an important modulator for body fat deposition. In concluding, the investigators stated that although flaxseed or walnut supplementation did not provide additional benefits on blood lipids, incorporating these foods into diets may improve central obesity status. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration are needed to examine the role of these foods in the prevention and management of MetS. (Editor's Comments)
