Flaxseed Lignan Complex Administration in Older Human Type 2 Diabetics Manages Central Obesity and Prothrombosis – An Invitation to Further Investigation into Polypharmacy Reduction.

Key Findings:

Obesity causes hyperglycaemia which contributes to hyperlipidemia as reflected in low plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLc) levels, increased triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) : HDLc ratio, small dense (sd) LDLc, and sometimes elevated cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations all of which contribute to plaque formation. Dyslipidemia and hyperglycaemia lead to hypertension in type 2 diabetics. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that flaxseed lignan complex (FLC) at a dose of 600 mg secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)/day for three months would safely reduce hyperglycaemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, central obesity, inflammation, LDL oxidation, and the prothombotic state. Fasting blood plasma glucose, A1c decreased significantly as a result of FLC administration. None of the blood lipid/lipoprotein parameters were changed significantly upon FLC administration. Bleeding time was significantly and very substantially increased as a result of FLC administration. FLC caused a significant reduction in inflammation. FLC improved waist circumference (central obesity) gain, and the prothrombotic state thus reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. FLC appears to reduce the inflammation contributing to plaque rupture with minimal side effects or other complications.

ABSTRACT:

Animal and human study evidence supports the hypothesis that flaxseed lignan complex (FLC) at a dose of 600 mg secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)/day for three months would combat hyperglycaemia, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, central obesity, prothrombotic state, inflammation, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Sixteen type 2 diabetic patients completed this double-blind, randomised crossover placebo-controlled study. A univariate repeated measures analysis of covariance (significance P < 0.05) was followed by a mixed linear model effects analysis corrected for multiple comparisons (MCC). Prior to MCC, FLC caused decreased fasting plasma glucose, A1c, inflammation (C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL 6)), and increased bleeding time. After correction for multiple comparisons, FLC induced a statistically significant increase in bleeding time and smaller waist circumference gain. No treatment effect occurred in the other variables before or after adjustment. It is concluded that FLC significantly increased bleeding time thus reducing the prothrombotic state, reduced central obesity gain as measured by waist circumference, and did not affect significantly the other dependent variables measured after adjustment for multiple comparisons. These findings, not yet published in human type 2 diabetes, suggest that this FLC dose over at least three months, may, subject to further investigation, reduce polypharmacy. (Authors abstract)