Abstract
This study compared the effects of flaxseed and fish oil supplementation on cardiovascular risk parameters in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. Participants were randomly allocated into three intervention groups to receive either 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil or placebo (n = 30 each group) twice a day for 12 weeks. A significant reduction in insulin levels (.04) was observed following flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo. In addition, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (.02) was seen after flaxseed oil supplementation compared with the placebo and a significant increase in total nitrite (.001) was seen after flaxseed oil and fish oil intake compared with placebo. Additionally, a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (p < .001) after consuming flaxseed oil and fish oil compared with placebo and glutathione levels (.001) after consuming fish oil compared with flaxseed oil and placebo was observed. Overall, our study revealed the beneficial effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation on few metabolic profiles. This study suggests that the effect of flaxseed oil in reducing insulin and increasing total nitrite and total antioxidant capacity is similar to fish oil.
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Key Comments
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD).
Considering the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of omega‐3 fatty acids, as well as the variety of available omega‐3 sources, omega‐3 fatty acids from both fish oil and flaxseed oil supplementation might be beneficial in diabetic patients with CHD. The present study was, therefore, designed to compare the effects of two different sources of omega‐3 fatty acids, fish oil, and flaxseed oil supplementation, on a number of metabolic indices of CVD in diabetic patients with CHD.
The results of the current study revealed the beneficial effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation for 12 weeks on serum insulin, plasma total nitrite, and TAC levels in diabetic patients with CHD. In addition, flaxseed oil intake significantly reduced hs‐CRP levels compared with the placebo. Additionally, fish oil intake significantly increased plasma GSH levels compared with flaxseed oil and placebo. This is the first trial to compare the effects of fish oil and flaxseed oil supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress among diabetic patients with CHD.
The current study demonstrated that taking flaxseed oil and fish oil supplements for 12 weeks by diabetic patients with CHD reduced serum insulin levels compared with the placebo, though did not affect other markers of glycemic control and lipid profiles. Flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation for 12 weeks to diabetic patients with CHD significantly increased plasma total nitrite and TAC levels. In addition, flaxseed oil intake significantly reduced hs‐CRP levels compared with the placebo. Additionally, fish oil intake significantly increased plasma GSH levels compared with flaxseed oil and placebo. Flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation did not affect other biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Overall, the study revealed the beneficial effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation for 12 weeks on serum insulin, plasma total nitrite, and TAC levels in diabetic patients with CHD. In addition,flaxseed oil intake significantly reduced hs‐CRP levels compared with the placebo. Also, fish oil intake significantly increased plasma GSH levels compared with flaxseed oil and placebo. This study suggests that the effect of flaxseed oil in reducing insulin and increasing total nitrite and TAC is similar to fish oil.