Systemic inflammation and carotid diameter in obese patients: pilot comparative study with flaxseed powder and cassava powder.

BACKGROUND: Botanical omega-3 fatty acid (alphalinolenic acid/ALA) has been shown to alleviate the prothrombotic and proinflammatory profile of metabolic syndrome, however clinical protocols are still scarce. Aiming to focus an obese population, a pilot study was designed. METHODS: Morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery (n = 29, age 46.3 ± 5.2 years), 82.8% females (24/29), BMI 44.9 ± 5.2 kg/m², with C-reactive protein/CRP > 5 mg/L were recruited. Twenty were randomized and after exclusions, 16 were available for analysis. Flaxseed powder (60 g/day, 10 g ALA) and isocaloric roasted cassava powder (60 g/day, fat-free) were administered in a double-blind routine for 12 weeks. RESULTS: During flaxseed consumption neutrophil count decreased and fibrinogen, complement C4, prothrombin time and carotid diameter remained stable, whereas placebo (cassava powder) was associated with further elevation of those measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory and coagulatory markers tended to exhibit a better outlook in the flaxseed group. Also large-artery diameter stabilized whereas further increase was noticed in controls. These findings raise the hypothesis of a less deleterious cardiovascular course in seriously obese subjects receiving a flaxseed supplement.