The effects of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic syndrome parameters, insulin resistance and inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients: An open‐labeled randomized controlled trial

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of flaxseed supplementation in the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS)‐related parameters among the patients with mild‐to‐moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 70 patients with UC. Participants were randomized in the intervention group, which received 30 g/day ground flaxseed powder or control group. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were assessed at the beginning and end of 12 weeks of intervention. Of the 70 patients enrolled in this study, 64 subjects were included in the final analysis. From baseline to 12 weeks' intervention, flaxseed supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the serum concentration of insulin ( p < .001), HOMA‐IR ( p < .001), triglyceride ( p = .001), total cholesterol ( p < .001), and significant increase in the serum levels of HDL ( p = .008). Also, we found a significant improvement in the SCCAI score ( p < .001), TNF‐α ( p = .03), and CRP ( p < .001) following the flaxseed supplementation. However, we not observed any significant differences between two groups regarding the body weight, BMI, waist circumferences, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure ( p > .05). Overall, 12 weeks of flaxseed supplementation resulted in greater improvement in the some MetS‐related parameters.