The effect of flaxseed on lipid profile in healthy individuals: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of clinical trials

on the effects of flaxseed on the lipid profile in healthy individuals are conflicting. The current
comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize available evidence in
this regard. Methods: After a systematic search in the online databases, we included the
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of flaxseed on the lipid profile [total
cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), Apolipoprotein -A (apo-A) and Apolipoprotein -B (apo-B)] in healthy
individuals. Results: Altogether, 16 studies with a total sample size of 1000 were included in the
analysis. Combining 17 effect sizes from 16 RCTs, we found a significant lowering effect of
flaxseed on serum levels of TG (weighted mean difference (WMD): < 0.001, 95% CI: -0.05 to
0.05mmol/L; p = 0.996), TC (WMD: 0.23mmol/l; 95% CI: -0.34 to -0.13; p &l; 0.001), LDL-C
(WMD): -0.15mmol/l; 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.05; p = 0.003), HDL-C (WMD): -0.05mmol/l; 95% CI: –
0.09 to -0.02; p = 0.001), apo-A (WMD): 0.16g/l; 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.58; p= 0.465) and apo-B
(WMD): -0.06g/l; 95% CI: -0.15 to 0.02; p = 0.131). Conclusion: The present study
demonstrates the beneficial effects of flaxseed on TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in healthy people.