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Therapeutic Use of Ground Flaxseeds for Type 2 Diabetes
Author(s) -
Ricklefs Kristin,
Johnston Carol,
Sweazea Karen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.912.11
Subject(s) - type 2 diabetes , medicine , psyllium , dyslipidemia , diabetes mellitus , postprandial , blood pressure , gastroenterology , endocrinology , dietary fiber , food science , chemistry
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hyperglycemia and chronic low‐grade inflammation, characteristics of T2D, additionally contribute to vascular dysfunction. Prior studies have shown that plant‐based fibers reduce inflammation and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as well as attenuate T2D‐associated dyslipidemia. The objective of this 8‐week parallel‐arm controlled feeding trial is to determine if ground flaxseed (28 g/d) supplementation to a normal diet will decrease HbA1c concentrations as well as attenuate cardiovascular risk markers in subjects with T2D as compared to a control group who consumed ground psyllium (9 g/d). Fiber content of the supplements was matched as fiber is independently correlated with decreased postprandial blood glucose. To date n=4 subjects per group have completed the study. Results were analyzed using 2‐way RM ANOVA. At 8 weeks flaxseed significantly reduced waist circumference (‐1.25±0.29; p=0.034), systolic BP (‐7.0 +‐ 2.71; p=0.004), and diastolic BP (‐3.75±1.89; p=0.003). There were no significant differences within group following 8 weeks of ground psyllium. Since fiber content was matched, other components of flaxseeds such as folic acid or alpha‐linoleic acid may be responsible for the observed differences within groups. The preliminary findings therefore suggest ground flaxseed may have therapeutic potential for subjects with T2D to regulate factors which contribute to T2D complications such as BMI and blood pressure, although additional subjects will be required to confirm these findings. This study is funded by a grant from the AmeriFlax Council.