The Effects of Flaxseed on Weight Loss in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of flaxseed consumption in improving weight loss and altering anthropometric indices in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our hypothesis was that the high fiber and α-linolenic (ALA) contents of flaxseed would decrease weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and fat mass, so it would improve PCOS.

Sixty eight patients between the ages of 20 and 40 years participated in this double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomly assigned to flaxseed and placebo groups to use 15 grams of flaxseed or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Sixty two participants completed anthropometric measurements before and after study.

The results showed that weight, BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat percentage and body fat percentage were significantly decreased and body muscle percentage was significantly increased in both groups. In addition consumption of 15 gr/days flaxseed for 12 weeks by overweight or obese women with PCOS significantly decreased the mean change of BMI (P-value= 0.04) and in regards of weight, the reduction was marginally significant (P-value= 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the mean change of waist circumference (P-value= 0.46), percentage of body fat (P-value= 0.78), muscle (P-value= 0.18) and visceral fat (P-value= 0.43) between flaxseed and control groups.

These findings represented that flaxseed supplementation could reduce BMI and weight but other factors did not change significantly. Further studies are needed to show that flaxseed can be used as a supplement for weight loss in PCOS.