Flaxseed reduces total and LDL cholesterol concentrations in Native American postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the extent to which the daily incorporation of approximately 30 g of flaxseed, a rich source of lignans, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber, for a period of 3 months into the diet of Native American postmenopausal women positively affects their lipid profiles. METHODS: Fifty-five mild to moderately hypercholesterolemic (> or =5.1 to < or =9.8 mmol/L) Native American postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to control (A), flaxseed (B) or flaxseed + additional oat bran fiber (C) groups. Overnight fasting venous blood was collected at baseline and at the end of the treatment period to analyze lipid parameters. RESULTS: Dietary flaxseed supplementation lowered total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by approximately 7% and 10%, respectively. However, the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride remained unaltered. No changes were observed in other clinical and hematological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that Native American postmenopausal women benefit from regular consumption of flaxseed by reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease as seen from lowered LDL-C and total cholesterol levels.

Soy protein supplementation does not cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of soy isoflavones have been widely investigated; however, there are some concerns as to whether soy isoflavones, similar to ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which 12-month supplementation of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones alters lymphocyte counts or other hematological parameters in postmenopausal women who were not on hormone replacement therapy. METHODS: Eighty-seven postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either soy protein or an equivalent amount of control protein devoid of isoflavones. Fasting venous blood was collected at baseline and at the end of twelve month study period for complete blood count analyses. RESULTS: Between the two treatment groups, the percent changes in hematological parameters, including lymphocytes, were not different. While women consuming the soy supplement had an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width index (RDW; a marker of reticulocytes), women consuming the control diet had higher percentage of only MCHC. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of the present study indicate that consumption of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones daily for one year does not cause lymphocytopenia.