A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oils

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L) is an ancient perennial plant species regarded as a multipurpose plant owing to its richness in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including α-linolenic acid (ALA). The extensive biochemical analysis of flaxseed resulted in the identification of its bioactive, i.e., lignans with potential application in the improvement of human health. Flaxseed oil, fibers, and lignans exert potential health benefits including reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders that have led to the diversification of flaxseed plant applications. This comprehensive review focuses on flaxseed oil as the major product of flaxseed with emphasis on the interrelationship between its chemical composition and biological effects. Effects reviewed include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, metabolic, and neuroprotective. This study provides an overview of flaxseed oil effects with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemical composition and in comparison, to other PUFA-rich oils. This study presents the most updated and comprehensive review summarizing flaxseed oil's health benefits for the treatment of various diseases.

Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation enhances antihypertensive effect of ramipril in Chinese patients with obesity-related hypertension

BACKGROUND

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a group of positional and geometrical conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. Our aim was to investigate the effect of 8-week dietary CLA supplementation on blood pressure, concentrations of plasma adiponecin, leptin, and as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in obese hypertensive subjects.

METHODS

Eighty obese individuals with stage 1 uncontrolled essential hypertension were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomized to a daily dose of 4.5 g/day CLA (nine 0.5-g capsules; a 50:50 isomer blend of c 9,t 11 and t 10,c 12 CLA) with 37.5 mg/day ramipril (group 1) or placebo with 37.5 mg/day ramipril (group 2) for 8 weeks. Baseline and endpoint systolic BP, diastolic BP, and concentrations of plasma adiponecin, leptin, angiotensinogen, and ACE activity were measured.

RESULTS

Treatment with CLA significantly enhanced the reduction effect of ramipril on systolic BP and diastolic BP (P < 0.05). It also increased plasma adiponectin concentration (P < 0.05) and decreased plasma concentrations of leptin and angiotensinogen (P < 0.05); however, significant change was not observed in ACE activity.

CONCLUSIONS

An 8-week long supplementation of CLA enhanced the effect of ramipril on blood pressure reduction in treated obese hypertensive patients. The antihypertensive effect of CLA might be related to the changed secretion of hypertensive adipocytokines in plasma.