Abstract
BackgroundDietary fibers have been proposed to play a role in cardiovascular risk as well as body weight management. Flaxseeds are a good source of dietary fibers, and a large proportion of these are water-soluble viscous fibers.MethodHere, we examine the effect of flaxseed dietary fibers in different food matrices on blood lipids and fecal excretion of fat and energy in a double-blind randomized crossover study with 17 subjects. Three different 7-d diets were tested: a low-fiber control diet (Control), a diet with flaxseed fiber drink (3/day) (Flax drink), and a diet with flaxseed fiber bread (3/day) (Flax bread). Total fat and energy excretion was measured in feces, blood samples were collected before and after each period, and appetite sensation registered 3 times daily before main meals.ResultsCompared to control, Flax drink lowered fasting total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol by 12 and 15%, respectively, (p < 0.01), whereas Flax bread only produced a reduction of 7 and 9%, respectively (p < 0.05). Fecal fat and energy excretion increased by 50 and 23% with Flax drink consumption compared to control (p < 0.05), but only fecal fat excretion was increased with Flax bread compared to control (p < 0.05).ConclusionBoth Flax drink and Flax bread resulted in decreased plasma total and LDL-cholesterol and increased fat excretion, but the food matrix and/or processing may be of importance. Viscous flaxseed dietary fibers may be a useful tool for lowering blood cholesterol and potentially play a role in energy balance.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00953004
Highlights
Prospective cohort studies suggest that consumption of dietary fibers protects against coronary heart disease [1], all mechanisms are not fully elucidated
Fecal fat and energy excretion increased by 50 and 23% with Flax drink consumption compared to control (p < 0.05), but only fecal fat excretion was increased with Flax bread compared to control (p < 0.05)
Both Flax drink and Flax bread resulted in decreased plasma total and LDL-cholesterol and increased fat excretion, but the food matrix and/or processing may be of importance
Summary
Prospective cohort studies suggest that consumption of dietary fibers protects against coronary heart disease [1], all mechanisms are not fully elucidated. A large number of studies have demonstrated that oat products lower total and LDL cholesterol [3,4,5,6] This is linked to their ability to increase intraluminal viscosity thereby affecting the entero-hepatic recirculation of bile acids and lipid. Dietary fibers may play a role in body weight regulation, through both hunger suppression and diminished nutrient absorption [14]. Flaxseed dietary fibers reduce apparent energy and fat digestibility and weight gain in growing rats, submitted). Viscous fibers appear effective in suppression of hunger [17] They can affect multiple aspects of the gastrointestinal function such as gastric emptying rate and nutrient absorption rate in the small intestine [18], which offers numerous opportunities to influence satiation and satiety. Flaxseeds are a good source of dietary fibers, and a large proportion of these are water-soluble viscous fibers
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