serum cholesterol, serum lipid profile, and hyperchoestrolemic atherosclerosis in
white rabbits (Prasad 1999). It was observed that SDG reduced the development of
hyperchoestrolemic atherosclerosis (73%) and total cholesterol (33%). In a study on
antiatherogenic potential of flaxseed, Dupasquier et al. (2007) used a LDL receptordeficient mouse (LDLrKO) model and supplemented the cholesterol-enriched diet
with 10% ground flaxseed. It was reported that flaxseed was associated with
lowering of plasma cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, increasing of plasma
ALA levels, and reducing plaque formation in the aorta and aortic sinus. The effect
of flaxseed on lipid profile in in vivo (animal and human) studies has been compiled
and represented in Table 10.4.
10.6.2 Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose level exceeding 126 mg/
dL) is associated with abnormal metabolism of mainly carbohydrate and leading to
the development of various secondary complications like CVDs, kidney failure,
blindness, etc. (Mani et al. 2011). Scientific literature supported the positive correlations between the high blood glucose and triglyceride levels, obesity, and the risk
of CVDs (Boden-Albala et al. 2008). Flaxseed components (dietary fiber, lignans,
and ω-3 fatty acids) have protective effect in the management of diabetes. Data
suggests that flaxseed may improve glucose homeostasis (Bloedon and Szapary
2004). Reduced glycemic response of flaxseed is attributed to the interaction of
flaxseed protein with the gums that stimulates insulin secretion (Oomah 2001).
Flaxseed fiber especially the insoluble fiber also plays a vital role in lowering the
blood glucose levels (Kapoor et al. 2011). SDG, the flaxseed lignan, has been
observed to suppress the expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
gene that codes for the enzyme responsible for the gluconeogenesis in the liver
(Prasad 2002).
In a study conducted by Nazni et al. (2006), 25 diabetic subjects were fed with
flaxseed powder supplemented bread. Authors observed a significant reduction
( p < 0.05) in blood glucose levels at the end of 90 days. In another study on
obese and diabetic tumor susceptible rats fed with CLA and flaxseed oil (0.5% each),
Kelley et al. (2009) observed 20% reduction in glycemia. The effect of flaxseed
powder on glucose level of female diabetic subjects was studied by Kapoor et al.
(2011) who reported a decrease in the postprandial glucose levels by 7.9% and
19.1% when fed with 15 g and 20 g/day, respectively, at the end of 20 days.
Similarly, Mani et al. (2011) reported that supplementation of flaxseed powder
(10 g) to type 2 diabetic patients reduced fasting blood glucose level by 19.7% at
the end of 1 month.
Flaxseed complex containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and its colonic
metabolites enterodiol and enterolactone, cinnamic acids, and 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaric acid were reported to have a role in the management of diabetes
and related health issues (Barre et al. 2012). Studies were conducted on type
262
S. Ganguly et al.
white rabbits (Prasad 1999). It was observed that SDG reduced the development of
hyperchoestrolemic atherosclerosis (73%) and total cholesterol (33%). In a study on
antiatherogenic potential of flaxseed, Dupasquier et al. (2007) used a LDL receptordeficient mouse (LDLrKO) model and supplemented the cholesterol-enriched diet
with 10% ground flaxseed. It was reported that flaxseed was associated with
lowering of plasma cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, increasing of plasma
ALA levels, and reducing plaque formation in the aorta and aortic sinus. The effect
of flaxseed on lipid profile in in vivo (animal and human) studies has been compiled
and represented in Table 10.4.
10.6.2 Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose level exceeding 126 mg/
dL) is associated with abnormal metabolism of mainly carbohydrate and leading to
the development of various secondary complications like CVDs, kidney failure,
blindness, etc. (Mani et al. 2011). Scientific literature supported the positive correlations between the high blood glucose and triglyceride levels, obesity, and the risk
of CVDs (Boden-Albala et al. 2008). Flaxseed components (dietary fiber, lignans,
and ω-3 fatty acids) have protective effect in the management of diabetes. Data
suggests that flaxseed may improve glucose homeostasis (Bloedon and Szapary
2004). Reduced glycemic response of flaxseed is attributed to the interaction of
flaxseed protein with the gums that stimulates insulin secretion (Oomah 2001).
Flaxseed fiber especially the insoluble fiber also plays a vital role in lowering the
blood glucose levels (Kapoor et al. 2011). SDG, the flaxseed lignan, has been
observed to suppress the expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
gene that codes for the enzyme responsible for the gluconeogenesis in the liver
(Prasad 2002).
In a study conducted by Nazni et al. (2006), 25 diabetic subjects were fed with
flaxseed powder supplemented bread. Authors observed a significant reduction
( p < 0.05) in blood glucose levels at the end of 90 days. In another study on
obese and diabetic tumor susceptible rats fed with CLA and flaxseed oil (0.5% each),
Kelley et al. (2009) observed 20% reduction in glycemia. The effect of flaxseed
powder on glucose level of female diabetic subjects was studied by Kapoor et al.
(2011) who reported a decrease in the postprandial glucose levels by 7.9% and
19.1% when fed with 15 g and 20 g/day, respectively, at the end of 20 days.
Similarly, Mani et al. (2011) reported that supplementation of flaxseed powder
(10 g) to type 2 diabetic patients reduced fasting blood glucose level by 19.7% at
the end of 1 month.
Flaxseed complex containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and its colonic
metabolites enterodiol and enterolactone, cinnamic acids, and 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaric acid were reported to have a role in the management of diabetes
and related health issues (Barre et al. 2012). Studies were conducted on type
262
S. Ganguly et al.