title: Flaxseed on cardiovascular disease markers in healthy menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to its high content of lignans, alpha-linolenic acid and fiber, flaxseed may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans. The present study evaluated the effect of flaxseed on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy menopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety-nine women were randomly assigned to consume 40 g daily of flaxseed or wheat germ placebo for 12 mo. Fatty acids, apolipoproteins A-1 and B, lipoprotein(a), low-density lipoprotein particle size, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, insulin, and glucose were measured at baseline and at 12 mo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 179 women were available for the intention-to-treat analysis. Flaxseed increased plasma alpha-linolenic (P < 0.0001), docosapentaenoic (P = 0.001), and total omega-3 fatty (P = 0.0004) acids. Differences between flaxseed and wheat germ were observed for apolipoprotein A-1 (-0.10 +/- 0.26 g/L, P = 0.011) and apolipoprotein B (-0.05 +/- 0.16 g/L, P = 0.047). From baseline, flaxseed raised apolipoproteins A-1 and B by 4.4% (P = 0.006) and 3% (P = 0.054), whereas wheat germ increased these apolipoproteins by 11.6% (P < 0.0001) and 7% (P = 0.0001), respectively. Both treatments increased lipoprotein(a) (P < 0.0001) and decreased low-density lipoprotein peak particle size (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this large, long-term, placebo-controlled trial in healthy menopausal women, flaxseed increased some omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and had a limited effect on apolipoprotein metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Center, St-François d'Assise Hospital (CHUQ), Quebec, Quebec, Canada. sylvie.dodin@og.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodin
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cunnane
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mâsse
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lemay
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Asselin
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tremblay-Mercier
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marc
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lamarche
authors.forename: France
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Légaré
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Forest
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D019597:Flax; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D010919:Placebos; D011792:Quebec; D014908:Triticum
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007328:Insulin; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010919:Placebos; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein