title: Additive effect of linseed oil supplementation on the lipid profiles of older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Linseed oil has been investigated as a rich source of n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids, which mainly produce a non-atherogenic lipid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of linseed oil supplementation associated with nutritional guidelines on the lipid profiles of older adults, according to the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 110 older adults randomized in two groups: placebo and linseed oil. The linseed oil group received supplementation with 3 g of linseed oil. Both groups received nutritional guidance and were supplemented for 90 days with monthly blood collection for biochemical analysis. The dietary intake of saturated fat was subdivided into low (<7% SFA/day of the total energy value) and high consumption groups (>7% SFA/day of the total energy value).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low SFA (<7% SFA/day of total energy value) consumption was associated with lower total cholesterol concentrations. However, we observed that the linseed oil group, including older adults who consumed >7% SFA/day, had a greater reduction in total cholesterol than the placebo group (P=0.020). The same was observed for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.050), suggesting an additive effect of linseed oil and diet. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were increased significantly in only the linseed group, suggesting that the nutritional intervention alone did not improve HDL cholesterol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the nutritional intervention was effective, but linseed oil showed notable effects by increasing the HDL cholesterol concentration. In addition, consumption of <7% SFA/day of the total energy value increased the effect of linseed oil, demonstrating the importance of reducing the consumption of saturated fat.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program of Medicine-Cardiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula A
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Avelino
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program of Medicine-Cardiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gláucia M M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Célia C D
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health Studies, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronir R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Luiz
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program of Medicine-Cardiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Glorimar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D008043:Linseed Oil
keywords: atherosclerosis; elderly; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; linseed oil; older adults; saturated fatty acids