The results of a new study have indicated that adding flaxseed to the diets of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) resulted in significant drops in blood pressure after six months.
The research carried out by the Canadian centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine involved patients eating bagels and muffins rich in flaxseeds.
“This is the largest decrease in blood pressure ever shown by any dietary intervention-including the Mediterranean Diet and low sodium diets" said Dr Grant Pierce, leader of the study and executive director of research at St Boniface Hospital, said
“We expect that this kind of improvement in people with hypertension could reduce their incidence of heart attack and stroke by 50%”
The investigators chose to study flaxseed because animal studies have shown it has anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiarrhythmic effects and may reduce circulating cholesterol and trans-fatty acid levels. The flaxseed was provided by Glanbia Nutritionals.
Reference
"The effect of dietary flaxseed on improving symptoms of cardiovascular disease in patients with peripheral artery disease"
Leyva DR, Zahradka P, Ramjiawan B, Guzman R, Aliani M, Pierce GN.
Cardiovascular Research Division, V.I.Lenin Universitary Hospital, Holguin 80100, Cuba.
