Effect of blended flaxseed oil supplementation on coronary risk factors in patients with high risk of coronary artery disease: a randomized, double-blind, controlled intervention trial

Abstract:

Background: There is evidence that lower intake of w-3 and w-6 fatty acids are inversely associated with the risk of coronary artery
disease (CAD). Flaxseed oil is high in both of these fatty acids, which may be protective
against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Flaxseed oil is unstable, hence blending natural
flaxseed oil with palm oil, containing high lignan, and flavonoids with tocotrienols may be a
better strategy, to stabilize the blend and provide potential antioxidant effects. This trial
aims to examine the effects of blended flax seed oil with palm oil, compared to control oils,
in patients with stable CAD.
Subjects and methods. We randomly selected 130 patients with stable CAD from
Cardiology Department of KGMU, Lucknow, India for this trial, then randomized to intervention (n= 50) and control group
(n=52) via computer-generated random numbers. The intervention group was supplemented
with blended flaxseed oil and the control group was administered available oils (sunflower, rice
bran) in identical containers, for a follow-up period of 24 weeks.
Results. After 24 weeks of supplementation, incremental differences from the control group
for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were: - 3.10% (P < 0.) and for total
cholesterol –3.98% (P < 0.00) for flaxseed oil blend. The incremental differences in
triglycerides (significant) for flax seed blend was 2.98% (P < 0.0) with a 6.06 % (P < 0.05)
increase in HDL cholesterol. The incremental difference in C - reactive protein was – 22.90
% and total cholesterol –3.98 % with a significant decline in blood glucose for flax seed oil
blend, compared to control oil group. Compliances to treatment varied between 91% and
96% and only non-significant gastrointestinal side effects were observed in both groups.
Conclusion. The findings indicate that flaxseed oil blend appears to be superior to control
oil due to a significant decline in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, with a
significant increase in HDL cholesterol. There was a significant decline in blood glucose
and C-reactive protein indicating hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory effects of flex seed
oil blend, respectively.