| The hypothesis of this study was that the daily consumption of flaxseed improves the lipid profile in Native American postmenopausal women. To test this hypothesis we had three specific aims as follows: (1) To determine the extent to which an approximately 30 g daily flaxseed regimen reduces serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Native American postmenopausal women. From earlier observations (Lucas et al., 2002; Arjmandi et al., 1998), it was anticipated that flaxseed regimen will reduce total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels without altering the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. (2) To investigate the effects of flaxseed consumption on serum levels of apolipoprotein (Apo)-A (HDL-C carrier), apolipoprotein-B (LDL-C carrier) and C-reactive protein a marker of inflammation. Our earlier study (Lucas et al., 2002) reported that flaxseed reduces Apo-A and Apo-B, hence we expect to see similar results from this study. It would be interesting to see the effect of omega-3 fatty acid content of flaxseed on acute inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). (3) To determine whether daily intake of 30 g flaxseed has any deleterious effect on the hematological parameters. Daily intake of flaxseed should not alter any of the hematological parameters most importantly total and differential white blood corpuscle (WBC), red blood corpuscle (RBC), platelet count and hemoglobin concentrations (Hb) (Prasad, 2005). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
