Experimental and clinical research findings on the cardiovascular benefits of consuming flaxseed
Experimental and clinical research findings on the cardiovascular benefits of consuming flaxseed
Year: 2009
Authors: Bassett, C.M.C. Rodriguez-Leyva, D. Pierce, G.N.
Publication Name: Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab.
Publication Details: Volume 34; Pages 965 – 974.
Abstract:
Functional foods and nutraceuticals are becoming popular alternatives to pharmacological treatments by providing health benefits and (or) reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Flaxseed is a rich source of 3 components with demonstrated cardioprotective effects: the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), dietary fibre, and phytoestrogen lignans. Multiple clinical dietary intervention trials report that consuming flaxseed daily can modestly reduce circulating total cholesterol (TC) by 6% to 11% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 9% to 18% in normolipemic humans and by 5% to 17% for TC and 4% to 10% for LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients, as well as lower various markers associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in humans. Evidence to date suggests that the dietary fibre and (or) lignin content of flaxseed provides the hypocholesterolemic action. The omega-3 ALA found in the flaxseed oil fraction also contributes to the antiatherogenic effects of flaxseed via anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative mechanisms. Dietary flaxseed may also protect against ischemic heart disease by improving vascular relaxation responses and by inhibiting the incidence of ventricular fibrillation. (Authors abstract)
Several studies have shown that n-3 PUFAs can provide beneficial effects against hypertension, platelet aggregation, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmias. This review article focuses on flaxseed a source of n-3 PUFA, ALA which demonstrates significant beneficial effects against heart disease. ALA can also be converted in the body into the cardioprotective w-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and, with limitations, into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Whole ground flaxseed or the derivatized components of flaxseed have exhibited cardioprotective effects both clinically and in several animal models. However, the exact mechanism(s) by which dietary flaxseed inhibits atherosclerotic development are only beginning to be understood. Consuming moderate doses of ground flaxseed (1.4 tbsp, 1 tbsp = 7 g) per day can modestly reduce circulating TC (6% to 11%) and LDL cholesterol (9% to 18%) levels, and can lower various markers associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in humans. Evidence to date suggests that the dietary fibre and (or) lignan content of flaxseed provides the hypocholesterolemic action. The n-3 ALA reduces CVD via anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative mechanisms. Dietary flaxseed may also protect against ischemic heart disease by improving vascular relaxation responses and by inhibiting the incidence of CVD. The data support the contention that DHA and EPA are not the only cardioprotective PUFAs and that ALA can be considered as well. It is important to emphasize that the data are still controversial and some studies have not supported the cardiovascular benefits of ALA. These authors have argued that unrealistically high concentrations of ALA are required for the cardioprotective effects. Others however, have presented arguments in support of the beneficial cardiovascular actions of ALA. At the very least, the body of research now effectively argues for the initiation of careful, randomized controlled trials of dietary flaxseed in a patient population with symptoms of atherosclerotic heart disease. (Editors comments)
Several studies have shown that n-3 PUFAs can provide beneficial effects against hypertension, platelet aggregation, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmias. This review article focuses on flaxseed a source of n-3 PUFA, ALA which demonstrates significant beneficial effects against heart disease. ALA can also be converted in the body into the cardioprotective w-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and, with limitations, into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Whole ground flaxseed or the derivatized components of flaxseed have exhibited cardioprotective effects both clinically and in several animal models. However, the exact mechanism(s) by which dietary flaxseed inhibits atherosclerotic development are only beginning to be understood. Consuming moderate doses of ground flaxseed (1.4 tbsp, 1 tbsp = 7 g) per day can modestly reduce circulating TC (6% to 11%) and LDL cholesterol (9% to 18%) levels, and can lower various markers associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in humans. Evidence to date suggests that the dietary fibre and (or) lignan content of flaxseed provides the hypocholesterolemic action. The n-3 ALA reduces CVD via anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative mechanisms. Dietary flaxseed may also protect against ischemic heart disease by improving vascular relaxation responses and by inhibiting the incidence of CVD. The data support the contention that DHA and EPA are not the only cardioprotective PUFAs and that ALA can be considered as well. It is important to emphasize that the data are still controversial and some studies have not supported the cardiovascular benefits of ALA. These authors have argued that unrealistically high concentrations of ALA are required for the cardioprotective effects. Others however, have presented arguments in support of the beneficial cardiovascular actions of ALA. At the very least, the body of research now effectively argues for the initiation of careful, randomized controlled trials of dietary flaxseed in a patient population with symptoms of atherosclerotic heart disease. (Editors comments)
