Effects of flaxseed supplementation on weight loss, lipid profiles, glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

2024-01
Clinical cardiology 47(1)
- Hamid Reza Sabet
- Mohammad Ahmadi
- Mehdi Akrami
- Mahsa Motamed
- Omid Keshavarzian
- Mozhan Abdollahi
- Mehdi Rezaei
- Hamed Akbari

PubMed: 38269632
DOI: 10.1002/clc.24211

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Population: patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)
Methods: Systematic search using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to identify RCTs; data combined using fixed- or random-effects model and presented as weighted mean difference with 95% CI

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of flaxseed supplementation on weight loss, lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and glucose levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A systematic search was performed using various online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until June 2023. To evaluate heterogeneity among the selected studies, the Q-test and I² statistics were employed. Data were combined using either a fixed- or random-effects model and presented as a weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Of the 428 citations, six RCTs were included. The pooled results did not show significant changes in the WMD of lipid factors (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol) following flaxseed intake. However, after performing a sensitivity analysis to determine the source of heterogeneity, flaxseed supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in TG levels (WMD = -18.39 mg/dL; 95% CI: -35.02, -1.75). Moreover, no significant differences were observed in either weight or BMI following flaxseed intake. However, the circulating levels of fasting blood glucose (WMD = -8.35 mg/dL; 95% CI: -15.01, -1.69, p = .01) and hs-CRP (WMD = -1.35 mg/L; 95% CI: -1.93, -0.77, p < .01) significantly decreased after the intervention. Flaxseed supplementation was associated with lowering FBS, hs-CRP, and TG levels but did not affect weight loss parameters and other lipid markers in CAD.

Research Insights

flaxseed→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
The pooled results did not show significant changes in the WMD of lipid factors (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol) following flaxseed intake.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced Body Mass Index
Moreover, no significant differences were observed in either weight or BMI following flaxseed intake.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced Body Weight
Moreover, no significant differences were observed in either weight or BMI following flaxseed intake.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
the circulating levels of fasting blood glucose (WMD = -8.35 mg/dL; 95% CI: -15.01, -1.69, p = .01) ... significantly decreased after the intervention.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
flaxseed→Reduced High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level
The pooled results did not show significant changes in the WMD of lipid factors (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol) following flaxseed intake.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Level
the circulating levels of ... hs-CRP (WMD = -1.35 mg/L; 95% CI: -1.93, -0.77, p < .01) significantly decreased after the intervention.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
flaxseed→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
The pooled results did not show significant changes in the WMD of lipid factors (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol) following flaxseed intake.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
After performing a sensitivity analysis to determine the source of heterogeneity, flaxseed supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in TG levels (WMD = -18.39 mg/dL; 95% CI: -35.02, -1.75).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate