Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 29, No 5 (2016)

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Cardioprotective effects of flaxseed incorporated wheat flour on hyperlipidemic women

SNEHA SHET, B. V. CHIMMAD

Abstract


Omega 3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, that are required for normal growth and developmentof brain and the whole body. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)are important nutrients throughout the life cycle. This fatty acid plays a very important role in prevention and management ofcoronary artery disease due to its typical cardioprotective effects. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is an excellent source ofomega 3 fatty acid (among plant foods) i.e., alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which further gets converted into EPA and DHA.Experiments were conducted to assess the impact supplementation of flaxseed incorprated wheat flour in lowering the lipidprofile, among 24 hyperlipidemic women. The experimental group (n=12) were provided with two flaxseed incorporatedchapathies per day, prepared out of flaxseed incorporated wheat flour for a period of three months. Each chapathi incorporatedwith 8 per cent of whole flaxseed powder provided 0.70 g of omega 3 fatty acid which could meet the daily requirement ofomega 3 fatty acids on consuming two chapathies. The enriched wheat flour also provided protein (4.72%), fat (4.44%) anddietary fibre (5.06%), besides providing the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid of 0.75:1. The results indicated nonsignificantdecrease in weight (from 70.00 + 14.57 to 66.50 + 13.77), BMI (from 29.84 + 5.28 to 28.58 + 4.72), WHR (from0.86 + 0.43 to 0.84 + 0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (from 86.41 + to 80.50 + 7.58 mm Hg). In contrast, the systolic bloodpressure significantly decreased during the intervention period (from 134.16 + 20.09 to 126.33 + 5.94 mm Hg; P < 0.05),Moreover, a significant decrease in lipid parameters like total cholesterol (12.20%), triglycerides (15.29%), LDL-cholesterol(13.85%), VLDL cholesterol (12.00%) with an increase in HDL cholesterol (3.41%). Compliance of the subjects about omega3 wheat flour indicated that the test meal was acceptable with good sensory qualities and desirable shelf life at ambienttemperature with no problem in procurement of raw materials. The meal was reported to elicit high satiety value and solvedthe problems of constipation. Thus, the study demonstrated that flaxseed incorporated food proved to be beneficial in reducingblood lipid profile, thus would help in reducing cardiovascular risks when consumed in the daily diet.

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