Flaxseeds contain essential fats, fibre, protein and lignans, and a new piece of research suggests they lower cholesterol. Researchers analysed data from 28 clinical trials on flaxseed and found that:
* Adding flaxseeds to the diet decreased blood levels of Total and LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 0.21 mmol/l and 0.16 mmol/l respectively.
* Taking a lignan dietary supplement decreased blood levels of Total and LDL cholesterol by an average of 0.28 and 0.16 mmol/l resepectively.
* Flaxseeds and lignan supplements worked best in people with higher initial cholesterol levels and in postmenopausal women.
* Flaxseed oil did not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol levels in any of the groups studied, probably because the lignans are concentrated in the fibre portion of flaxseeds, not in the oil.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr
* Adding flaxseeds to the diet decreased blood levels of Total and LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 0.21 mmol/l and 0.16 mmol/l respectively.
* Taking a lignan dietary supplement decreased blood levels of Total and LDL cholesterol by an average of 0.28 and 0.16 mmol/l resepectively.
* Flaxseeds and lignan supplements worked best in people with higher initial cholesterol levels and in postmenopausal women.
* Flaxseed oil did not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol levels in any of the groups studied, probably because the lignans are concentrated in the fibre portion of flaxseeds, not in the oil.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr
