In a recently published study, researchers determined that flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid reduces cardiovascular risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Nearly 75 percent of cardiovascular-related deaths are attributed to atherosclerosis, as it can cause heart attack, coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attacks and peripheral artery disease. Atherosclerosis is found in 80-90 percent of Americans over the age of 30.
Researchers evaluated the impact of flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid in rats fed a high-fat diet. The scientists fed the rats a diet of:
20 percent fat from lard,
75 percent lard and 25 percent flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid,
50 percent lard and 50 percent flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid, or
Flaxseed oil and alpha-lipoic acid.
Alpha lipoic acid was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 8 gm/kg. After 10 weeks, the rats were evaluated for lipids, antioxidants and markers of lipid peroxidation and inflammation.
The researchers found that supplementation with flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid significantly increased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as increasing levels of glutathione, indicating enhanced plasma antioxidant defense capacities.
Additionally, the investigators showed that flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid reduced lipid peroxidation, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increased the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol ratio. Furthermore, supplementation with this combination significantly reduced the markers of inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6.
The researchers concluded “Supplement of flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid combination may contribute to prevent atherogenesis by improving plasma oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammation.”
Reference:
Xu J, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2012;1:148.
Researchers evaluated the impact of flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid in rats fed a high-fat diet. The scientists fed the rats a diet of:
20 percent fat from lard,
75 percent lard and 25 percent flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid,
50 percent lard and 50 percent flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid, or
Flaxseed oil and alpha-lipoic acid.
Alpha lipoic acid was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 8 gm/kg. After 10 weeks, the rats were evaluated for lipids, antioxidants and markers of lipid peroxidation and inflammation.
The researchers found that supplementation with flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid significantly increased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as increasing levels of glutathione, indicating enhanced plasma antioxidant defense capacities.
Additionally, the investigators showed that flaxseed oil plus alpha lipoic acid reduced lipid peroxidation, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increased the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol ratio. Furthermore, supplementation with this combination significantly reduced the markers of inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6.
The researchers concluded “Supplement of flaxseed oil and alpha lipoic acid combination may contribute to prevent atherogenesis by improving plasma oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammation.”
Reference:
Xu J, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2012;1:148.
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