This meta-analysis by Pan et al. examined twenty-eight studies (January 1990 to October 2008) which tested the effects of flaxseed and of its derivates on blood lipids. Flaxseed interventions reduced total plasma cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol concentrations by 0.10 mmol/L and 0.08 mmol/L, respectively with a greater effect observed with whole flaxseed (0.21 and 0.16 mmol/L) and lignan supplements (0.28 and 0.16 mmol/l). Flaxseed oil was not found to have any effect on the lipid profile. Overall, the ingestion of flaxseed or of its derivates was not associated with changes in plasma HDL cholesterol nor with changes in plasma triglyceride concentrations. According to the results of this meta-analysis, the cholesterol-lowering effect of flaxseed was greater in women when compared to men, especially among post-menopausal women with elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations. Therefore, whole flaxseed may represent a potentially relevant dietary tool to reduce cholesterol levels in patients at increased cardiovascular risk.
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