Flaxseed Lowers High Cholesterol in Men

A new study from Iowa State's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center study found that men who consumed at least 150 milligrams of flaxseed lignans per day decreased cholesterol by just under 10 percent over the three months. Dietary intake of flaxseed did not produce a significant change in women.

Researchers followed 90 subjects—which included twice as many men as women—all had high cholesterol, but no other underlying health conditions. The participants were divided into three groups and were randomly assigned to daily consume tablets that contained zero, 150, or 300 milligrams of flaxseed lignans for 12 weeks.

Lead researcher Suzanne Hendrich, an ISU professor in food science and human nutrition, said the flaxseed lignan tablets used in the study are not currently available in the United States. In the absence of tablets, she said flaxseed also can be sprinkled on cereal, or added in a muffin mix or bread, although whole seeds are not very digestible. Ground flaxseed meal also can provide the desired cholesterol-lowering lignans; however, she said it will oxidize over time and potentially could affect the flavor of the foods.

"Because there are people who can't take something like Lipitor, this could at least give you some of that cholesterol-lowering benefit," Hendrich said. "The other thing is, there are certainly some people who would prefer to not use a drug, but rather use foods to try to maintain their health. So this potentially would be something to consider."