The effects of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized open-labeled controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is known as the most common endocrine disorder of women in reproductive ages. With the increasing prevalence of PCOS in different countries, the use of herbal medicine as an alternative treatment is growing in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flaxseed powder supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of patients with PCOS. Methods: This randomized open-labeled controlled clinical trial was conducted on 41 patients with PCOS. The participants were randomized to take either flaxseed powder (30 g/day) plus lifestyle modification or only lifestyle modification for 12 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluations were performed for all patients at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The flaxseed group showed a significant reduction in body weight, insulin concentration, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Triglycerides (TG), high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), and leptin and an increase in Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and adiponectin compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). Flaxseed supplementation also led to a significant reduction in insulin concentration, HOMA-IR, TG, hs-CRP, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and leptin and an increase in QUICKI, HDL, and adiponectin compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in other parameters. Conclusions: Flaxseed supplementation plus lifestyle modification was more effective compared to lifestyle modification alone in biochemical and anthropometric variables in patients with PCOS. Trial registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Ethics Board at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (code: IRCT20120704010181N11).

Application of Herbal Medicines for Obesity Treatment in the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Women

“…PCOS is known to be a common cause of anovulatory infertility; however, the mechanisms of anovulation endure not known 3 . Based on Rotterdam criteria, PCOS was diagnosed by confirming clinical features of three out of two; (i) oligo-anovulation, (ii) hyperandrogenism and (iii) appearance of polycystic ovaries in ultrasound [4]. Every 16-20% of reproductive women are facing both infertility and menstrual problems 5 .…”

The Influence of Nutrition on Adiponectin—A Narrative Review

“…Linseed exerts a positive effect on adiponectin expression because it contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which may also act as a ligand for the PPARγ receptor. Haidari et al [ 55 ] conducted a randomized study in a group of women with PCOS. They demonstrated that linseed might significantly increase adiponectin concentrations.…”

Beyond Fish Oil Supplementation: The Effects of Alternative Plant Sources of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids upon Lipid Indexes and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers—An Overview

“…A recently published clinical trial recruited 41 women suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome, randomly segregated into two groups, group 1 subjected to lifestyle changes (American Heart Association recommendations + >30 min moderate to intense activity 3x/week) plus 30 g/day brown flaxseed flour in salad, yogurt or cold drinks, and group 2 subjected to the same lifestyle changes only, for 12 weeks [ 70 ]. The authors found that the flaxseed group showed significant improvements in insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), TG, hs-CRP, IL-6, leptin, HDL-C and adiponectin, as compared to the non-flaxseed group [ 70 ].…”