Amelioration of selected cardiac risk factors through supplementation of diet with flaxseed and soya bean

Abstract

Aims: Flax seeds and soya bean are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers known to have anti-atherogenic activities. The study attempted to evaluate the effect of flaxseed and soya bean supplementation on serum lipids of dyslipidemic subjects. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups: Experimental group-I (E-I), experimental group-II (E-II) and a control group (C). Group E-I was given 30 g of roasted flaxseed chutney powder and group E-II was given 30 g of soya nuts for 12 weeks. Both groups and the control group were prescribed with similar dietary guidelines. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and blood lipid profile were estimated before and after completion of the study. Results: Twelve week therapeutic intervention indicated significant drop (P < 0.05) in blood pressure, whereas a highly significant reduction (P < 0.01) was noted in Total cholesterol and triglycerides. A significant improvement in high density lipoprotein cholesterol was recorded in the groups receiving flaxseed (P < 0.01) and soya bean (P < 0.05). Body mass index, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenicity index of plasma were also found to improve significantly. Conclusion: These findings suggest that therapeutic intervention with flaxseed and soya may be a preliminary, but efficacious means of improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels in those diagnosed with dyslipidemia and may also be advocated in place of drug therapy when cholesterol levels soar just above the normal range.