Flaxseed and lipoprotein(a) levels in people
What it found
Flaxseed supplements lowered a blood fat called lipoprotein(a) in the trials pooled together.
The trials were in people.
What they found
Studies in people
Lipoprotein(a) levels
Pooled results from the 6 trials suggested a significant decrease in plasma lipoprotein(a) levels after supplementation with flaxseed-containing products.
Who may benefit
The authors say the finding may matter for patients at risk of high leftover cardiovascular risk despite intensive statin therapy, patients with high lipoprotein(a), and patients who prefer natural remedies alongside a healthy lifestyle.
Other findings
More trials needed
The authors say further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the role of flaxseed-containing products in lowering lipoprotein(a).
What the authors conclude
“This finding highlights the potential clinical significance of flaxseed supplementation for patients who are at risk of a high residual CVD despite intensive statin therapy, patients with hyperliporoteinemia(a), and patients who prefer natural remedies for CVD prevention in the context of a healthy lifestyle.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the finding highlights the potential clinical significance of flaxseed supplementation for patients at risk of a high residual CVD despite intensive statin therapy, patients with hyperliporoteinemia(a), and patients who prefer natural remedies for CVD prevention in the context of a healthy lifestyle.
- They state that further RCTs are needed to establish the role of flaxseed-containing products on lowering Lp(a).
How it was done
High lipoprotein(a) is an independent risk factor for early cardiovascular disease, and flaxseed is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, phytoestrogens and lignans and has improved several cardiovascular risk factors. Its overall effect on lipoprotein(a) was unknown.
The authors searched PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials of flaxseed and lipoprotein(a). Of 48 trials, 6 were eligible and were pooled.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- Only 6 trials were pooled, so the result rests on a small set of studies.
- The trials were short and varied in how flaxseed was given, so the size of the effect over the long term is not known.
The paper
- Title
- Flaxseed Supplementation Reduces Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels: A Meta-Analysis
- Type
- Meta-analysis
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Sahebkar A, Katsiki N, Ward N, Reiner Ž (2021). Flaxseed Supplementation Reduces Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels: A Meta-Analysis. Alternative therapies in health and medicine.PubMed 31634874
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error