Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Those in the flaxseed group reduced triglycerides by 31%, total cholesterol by 15%, LDL cholesterol by 17% and inflammation by 37.5%.
One in ten American adults (20 million Americans) have some form of kidney disease, being most common among Americans older than 60 (1). Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest health risk factors for dialysis patients, being responsible for nearly half of all deaths (2). The greatest risk factors for cardiovascular disease include low levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol as well as high levels of triglycerides, very-low LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (3).
Unfortunately, death rates for dialysis patients are the same as they were in the 1980’s (4), so little progress has been made in helping improve their quality of life. Now a new study (5) suggests flaxseed may help dialysis patients by positively affecting their cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
In the study, 38 patients between the ages of 23 and 77, on dialysis and with HDL levels below 40 mg/dL and triglyceride levels greater than 200 mg/dL were given either 40 grams per day of flaxseed or placebo for 8 weeks. The flaxseed was given as two 20-gram packets to be taken with a liquid, yogurt, or salad at lunch and dinner. Patients in the control group were asked to continue their usual diet and avoid consuming flaxseed-containing products during the study. Subjects were advised not to change their dietary habits, physical activities, or prescription medications. Before and after the study, blood samples were taken from each patient after a 12 to 14-hour fast before their dialysis treatment.
By the end of 8 weeks, those in the flaxseed group had:
- A 31% drop in triglyerides (293 to 201 milligrams/deciliter) compared to 21% increase in the control group (232 to 281 mg/dL, p < 0.01).
- A 15% decrease in total cholesterol (234 to 199 mg/dL) compared to a 15% increase in the control group (218 to 251 mg/dL, p < 0.01).
- A 17% decrease in LDL cholesterol (148 to 123 mg/dL) compared to an 8% increase in the control group (143 to 155 mg/dL, p < 0.01).
- A 37.5% decrease in an inflammation protein called C-Reactive Protein (4.8 to 3.0 milligrams/Liter) compared to a 40% increase in the control group (4.0 to 5.6 mg/L, p < 0.01).
The researchers pointed to research showing that omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed prevents the formation of fat in the liver, but also accelerates its breakdown for removal from the body (6) as the reason for these results. As for the reduced inflammation, they cited research showing that omega-3 fats in flaxseed reduce the production of a type of inflammatory protein called cytokines (one of which is called IL-6) that can stimulate the synthesis of C-Reactive Protein (7).
For the researchers, “flaxseed consumption improves lipid abnormalities and reduces systemic inflammation in dialysis patients with lipid abnormalities.”
Source: Khalatbari Soltani, Saman, et al. “Effects of flaxseed consumption on systemic inflammation and serum lipid profile in hemodialysis patients with lipid abnormalities.” Hemodialysis International 17.2 (2013): 275-281.
© 2012 The Authors. Hemodialysis International © 2012 International Society for Hemodialysis
Posted January 3, 2013.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com
References:
- “The Growing Burden of Kidney Disease” posted on the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse website.
- Qureshi AR, Alvestrand A, Divino-Filho JC, et al. Inflammation, malnutrition, and cardiac disease as predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2002; 13(Suppl 1):S28–S36.
- Wanner C. Altered lipid metabolism and serum lipids in renal disease and renal failure. In: Kopple JD and Massry SG, eds. Kopple and Massry’s Nutritional Management of Renal Disease. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2004; 42–55.
- “Mortality Rates for Dialysis Patients” posted on the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse website.
- Khalatbari Soltani S Effects of flaxseed consumption on systemic inflammation and serum lipid profile in hemodialysis patients with lipid abnormalities. Hemodial Int 2012 Sep 24. doi: 10.1111/j.1542-4758.2012.00754.x.
- Jump DB, Botolin D,Wang Y, Xu J, Christian B, Demeure O. Fatty acid regulation of hepatic gene transcription. J Nutr. 2005; 135:2503–2506.
- Moreira AC, Gaspar A, Serra MA, Simões J, Lopes da Cruz J, Amaral TF. Effect of a sardine supplement on C-reactive protein in patients receiving hemodialysis. J Ren Nutr. 2007; 17:205–213.
