Daily flaxseed consumption improves glycemic control in obese men and women with pre-diabetes: a randomized study

Nutr Res. 2013 May;33(5):367-75. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2013.02.012. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

The study hypothesis was that fasting glucose, insulin, fructosamine, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 decrease and adiponectin increases with daily flaxseed consumption in overweight or obese individuals with pre-diabetes. In this randomized, cross-over study overweight or obese men and postmenopausal women (n = 25) with pre-diabetes consumed 0, 13, or 26 g ground flaxseed for 12 weeks. Glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and normalized percent of α-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) were significantly different by treatment (multiple analysis of variance, P = .036, P = .013, P = .008, P = .024 respectively). Paired t tests showed glucose decreased on the 13 g intervention compared to the 0 g period [13 g = -2.10 ± 1.66 mg/L (mean ± SEM), 0 g = 9.22 ± 4.44 mg/L, P = .036]. Insulin decreased on the 13 g intervention but not the 26 g (P = .021) and 0 g (P = .013) periods (13 g = -2.12 ± 1.00 mU/L, 26 g = 0.67 ± 0.84 mU/L, 0 g = 1.20 ± 1.16 mU/L). HOMA-IR decreased on the 13 g period but not on the 26 g (P = .012) and 0 g (P = .008) periods (13 g = -0.71 ± 0.31, 26 g = 0.27 ± 0.24, 0 g = 0.51 ± 0.35). The α-linolenic fatty acid decrease for the 0 g period was different than the 13 g (P = .024) and 26 g (P = .000) periods (13 g = 0.20 ± 0.04, 26 g = 0.35 ± 0.07, 0 g = -0.01 ± 0.07). Fructosamine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity interleukin-6 had no significant differences. Flaxseed intake decreased glucose and insulin and improved insulin sensitivity as part of a habitual diet in overweight or obese individuals with pre-diabetes.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin / blood
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Flax / chemistry*
  • Fructosamine / blood
  • Glycemic Index / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Postmenopause
  • Prediabetic State
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / blood

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Interleukin-6
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Fructosamine
  • C-Reactive Protein