Abstract
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is composed of a unique combination of bioactive components that appear to generate, through either an isolated or a synergistic action, a significant beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. With a significant increase in the generation of data on the dietary impact of flaxseed on the cardiovascular system, a review of where we stand— what we know and what we still need to understand about these effects on the heart and the vasculature — was thought to be of value and the rationale for this paper. For example, although we now know how to deliver the bioactives most efficiently (oil versus ground seed versus whole seed), we do not know how different foods can influence that delivery. Further, we know flaxseed has anti-arrhythmic, anti-atherogenic, anti-hypertensive, and cholesterol-lowering actions in animal studies and some selected human trials but much more needs to be learned, particularly in human trials. These results have justified further commitment of resources to the initiation of human trials. Because of the impact of nutrition on many chronic diseases, this may not only be true for the effects of flaxseed on cardiovascular disease but may be just as relevant for many other disease conditions.
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Key Points
This article makes a strong argument that it is time to implement dietary flaxseed as a strategy to control human cardiovascular disease. The ASCEND Trial recently reported that omega-3 fatty acid supplements had only a modest or no benefit in the risk for serious cardiovascular events (The ASCEND Study Collaborative Group 2018). This study is significantly different from flaxseed/ALA results based on several points. First, the ASCEND Trial studied the effects of fish derived omega-3 supplements, not a plant-based source like the ALA in flaxseed. Second the ASCEND Trial used a relatively low dose of omega-3 fish oil – less than 1 g as opposed to the 6 g of ALA used in the FlaxPAD Trial. Third, the ASCEND Trial studied cardiovascular disease in a diabetic population and ALA has not been used to measure its effects in this population. Finally, mortality caused by arrhythmias was not separately analyzed in the
ASCEND Trial but coupled with other causes of death from coronary heart disease. Animal and human data should make a compelling case to justify further research on the efficacy of dietary flaxseed in different types of cardiovascular diseases. Flaxseed can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The increased usage of flaxseed in the medical field can stimulate the flax industry and the agricultural economy. New food processing options would be required, more acreage devoted to flax, and an expected increased price for the commodity would all stimulate the flax industry and improve the economic picture of the farmer and the food processor right through to the marketplace