Roasted flaxseed powder and blood fats in people with high cholesterol
What it found
Eating 30 g of roasted flaxseed powder daily for 3 months lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol in people with high blood fats.
It also slightly reduced body weight and blood pressure.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood fats improved
After 3 months, the flaxseed group saw total cholesterol drop by about 16% and triglycerides fall by about 14%. LDL cholesterol fell by roughly 20%, while HDL cholesterol rose by about 5%.
Weight and BMI dropped
People eating the flaxseed powder lost about 3% of their body weight on average. Their body mass index also fell by about 3%.
Blood pressure fell slightly
Systolic blood pressure dropped by less than 1% and diastolic pressure fell by about 2% in the flaxseed group. These changes were small but statistically meaningful.
Heart risk scores improved
The researchers calculated several scores that estimate heart disease risk based on blood fats. All of these scores improved in the group taking flaxseed.
Other findings
Preparing the flaxseed
The seeds were cleaned and roasted before being ground into powder. Roasting reduces certain unwanted natural compounds and gives the powder a nutty flavor that people liked.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that adding 30 g of roasted flaxseed powder to the diet for 3 months improved body weight, blood pressure, and blood fats in people with high cholesterol.
- They suggest this simple addition may help protect the heart when combined with standard dietary advice.
- They note that flaxseed provides soluble fiber and alpha-linolenic acid, two nutrients linked to lower heart disease risk.
How it was done
Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and abnormal blood fats are a major risk factor. The authors wanted to see if flaxseed, which is rich in omega-3 fats and fiber, could help lower blood fats naturally.
Fifty adults aged 40 to 60 with high blood fats were split into two groups of 25. Both followed the same dietary advice, but one group also ate 30 g of roasted flaxseed powder every day with meals for 3 months. Researchers measured their weight, blood pressure, and blood fats before and after.
What it can’t tell you
- Because the control group did not receive a placebo powder, some of the improvement might be due to participants knowing they were taking a supplement.
- The study lasted only 3 months, so it cannot show whether these benefits continue over years or prevent actual heart attacks.
- All participants lived sedentary lifestyles and followed the same dietary advice, so the results may differ for more active people.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Government Kamla Raja Girls PG Autonomous College, India
The paper
- Title
- Evaluation of flaxseed formulation as a potential therapeutic agent in mitigation of dyslipidemia
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Saxena S, Katare C (2014). Evaluation of flaxseed formulation as a potential therapeutic agent in mitigation of dyslipidemia. Biomedical journal. doi:10.4103/2319-4170.126447Free full textPubMed 25163498DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error