The effect of flaxseed supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile in diabetic patients: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #blood-pressure #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #dietary-supplements #flax

The effect of flaxseed supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile in diabetic patients: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Musazadeh et al., 2025 | Diabetes Metab Syndr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Musazadeh Vali, Nezamoleslami Shokufeh, ... Aryaeian Naheed. The effect of flaxseed supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile in diabetic patients: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2025-May;19(5):103241. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2025.103241

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Numerous clinical studies have suggested that flaxseed supplementation may be effective in diabetic patients, but the findings are controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of flaxseed on blood pressure, anthropometry, and lipid profile parameters in diabetic patients. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase databases, and Google Scholar were searched until June 2024. A random-effects model was utilized to analyze standardized mean differences (SMDs). RESULTS: Meta-analysis of 16 trials with 1136 participants indicated significant improvements in weight (SMD: 0.81; 95 % CI: 1.54 to -0.09, p = 0.028; I2 = 88.7 %, p < 0.001), waist circumference (SMD: 1.54; 95 % CI: 2.77 to -0.31, p = 0.002; I2 = 85.3 %, p < 0.001), and triglyceride (SMD: 0.56; 95 % CI: 1.02 to -0.10, p = 0.016; I2 = 87.4 %, p < 0.001), but not BMI (SMD: 0.63; 95 % CI: 1.28 to 0.02, p = 0.058; I2 = 87.9 %, p = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (SMD: 0.50; 95 % CI: 1.25, 0.25, p = 0.193; I2 = 87.6 %, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (SMD: 0.74; 95 % CI: 1.51, 0.03, p = 0.060; I2 = 88.1 %, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (SMD: 0.43; 95 % CI: 0.99 to 0.12, p = 0.128; I2 = 93.6 %, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD: 0.09; 95 % CI: 0.87 to 0.70, p = 0.830; I2 = 96.3 %, p < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD: 0.08; 95 % CI: 0.30 to 0.46, p = 0.673; I2 = 87.2 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Flaxseed supplementation effectively reduces anthropometric indices and triglyceride levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes but does not suggest any benefit on blood pressure and other lipid profile parameters. Therefore, conducting more extensive, well-designed trials to validate these findings is crucial.

Key Findings

Meta-analysis of 16 trials with 1136 participants indicated significant improvements in weight (SMD: 0.81; 95 % CI: 1.54 to -0.09, p = 0.028; I2 = 88.7 %, p < 0.001), waist circumference (SMD: 1.54; 95 % CI: 2.77 to -0.31, p = 0.002; I2 = 85.3 %, p < 0.001), and triglyceride (SMD: 0.56; 95 % CI: 1.02 to -0.10, p = 0.016; I2 = 87.4 %, p < 0.001), but not BMI (SMD: 0.63; 95 % CI: 1.28 to 0.02, p = 0.058; I2 = 87.9 %, p = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (SMD: 0.50; 95 % CI: 1.25, 0.25, p = 0.193; I

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population type 2 diabetes but
Sample Size 1136
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Blood Pressure
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Flax
  • Lipids
  • Anthropometry
  • Prognosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: flaxseed

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09