Flaxseed

Flaxseed is the seed of the Linum usitatissimum plant and is frequently taken in the form of seeds, oil, or supplements as a source of fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is most often used to promote healthy blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels.

Quick Answer

What it is

Flaxseed is the seed of the Linum usitatissimum plant and is frequently taken in the form of seeds, oil, or supplements as a source of fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is most often used to promote healthy blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Blood glucose (Type 2 Diabetes)
  • Grade B: Apolipoprotein A (Cardiovascular Disease)
  • Grade C: Dysmenorrhea Symptoms (Endometriosis)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Flaxseed

Quick Facts: Flaxseed

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:13
  • Research Outcomes:85
  • Grade B Findings:2
  • Key Effect:Type 2 Diabetes
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B2
C4
D7
13 conditions Β· 85 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Insulin
18 studies
↑Worsens
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
13 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
13 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
13 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
13 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
13 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
11 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
B
Apolipoprotein A
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
11 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
11 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Glutathione (GSH)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
53 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
24 studies
↓Improves
?
Glutathione (GSH)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Leptin
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
4 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
28 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
28 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
27 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
20 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
17 studies
↓Improves
?
sICAM-1
7 studies
↑Improves
?
sE-Selectin
5 studies
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
C
Dysmenorrhea Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Dyspareunia
1 study
↑Improves
?
Pain
1 study
↓Improves
D
DHEAS
No effect
10 studies
none
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
10 studies
↑Improves
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
10 studies
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
8 studies
none
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
53 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
24 studies
↓Improves
?
Leptin
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
8 studies
none
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
18 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
13 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
11 studies
↓Improves
?
Leptin
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
7 studies
none
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Glutathione (GSH)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Leptin
↑Improves
?
Nitric Oxide
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
2 studies
↓Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Leptin
↑Improves
D
Glutathione (GSH)
No effect
4 studies
none
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves

Research Citations (22)

Effects of Flaxseed Interventions on Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
PMID: 31115436
Impact of flaxseed supplementation on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 32073724
Flaxseed Oil Supplementation Augments Antioxidant Capacity and Alleviates Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
PMID: 34527059
Effect of flaxseed supplementation on markers of inflammation and endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PMID: 31739218
Effects of flaxseed supplementation on weight loss, lipid profiles, glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 38269632
Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids
PMID: 19515737
Effects of Flaxseed on Blood Lipids in Healthy and Dyslipidemic Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
PMID: 34384619
Effect of flaxseed supplementation on lipid profile: An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of sixty-two randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 31899314
The effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on anthropometric indices: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
PMID: 38992480
The effect of flaxseed supplementation on body weight and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 randomized placebo-controlled trials.
PMID: 28635182

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