Abstract
Background: Flaxseed may be beneficial for the management of obesity due to its high content of alpha-linolenic acid, fiber, and lignans. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of Flaxseed consumption on serum lipids, adiponectin, leptin, and weight loss in overweight or obese women. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial involved 60 overweight or obese women. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups; a) a balanced diet plus 30 g/day milled Flaxseed and b) a balanced diet plus 30g/day milled rice (as control group), for 12 weeks. Anthropometric indices, serum lipids, leptin, and adiponectin levels were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, there were significantly higher reductions in waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) (both P<0.05) in the axseed group compared to the controls. Moreover, adiponectin level was significantly increased in the axseed group (17.15±6.1) compared to the
controls (16.83±10.5), (P=0.001). However, there were no significant differences in serum lipid levels between the study groups before and after the intervention (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Flaxseed consumption may improve adiposity markers, as well as adiponectin levels Thus, axseed consumption could be an adjunctive therapy to attenuate central obesity. Serum lipid profile has not changed significantly after axseed consumption. The findings showed that flaxseeds could potentially reduce visceral obesity and decrease the risk of obesity through increasing adiponectin concentration.