Effects of Flaxseed Oil on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Hemodialysis Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction. One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is lipid abnormalities among hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil consumption on serum lipids and lipoproteins in hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods. In a randomized double-blinded controlled trial, 34 hemodialysis patients were assigned to either the flaxseed oil or the control group. The patients in the flaxseed oil group received 6 g/d of flaxseed oil for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received 6 g/d of medium chain triglycerides oil. At baseline and the end of week 8, blood samples were obtained after a 12- to 14-hour fast and serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) were measured.

Results. Serum triglyceride concentration decreased significantly up to 23% in the flaxseed oil group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline, and the reduction was significant in comparison with the medium chain triglycerides oil group (P < .01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mean changes of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a).

Conclusions. This study indicates that daily consumption of 6 g of flaxseed oil reduces serum triglyceride concentration, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients, whereas it has no effects on other lipid parameters, especially lipoprotein(a).