From the Guidelines
To reduce Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) levels, there is no established standard dose of flaxseed, and pharmaceutical options such as niacin should be considered as the primary treatment, with flaxseed as a complementary approach. The provided evidence does not support the use of flaxseed as a primary treatment for reducing Lp(a) levels, and instead, highlights the importance of pharmaceutical interventions such as niacin and LDL apheresis 1. While flaxseed may have beneficial effects on overall lipid profiles, its impact on Lp(a) levels is unclear, and it should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for high Lp(a) levels.
In terms of reducing Lp(a) levels, the evidence suggests that niacin and LDL apheresis are the most effective treatments, with niacin reducing Lp(a) levels by up to 35% 1. The European consensus statement recommends measuring Lp(a) in patients with a 10-year risk of fatal CVD 3% and more, and treating traditional modifiable risk factors such as LDL cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and obesity intensively 1.
It is essential to note that Lp(a) is largely genetically determined and can be difficult to significantly reduce through dietary measures alone. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment plan that includes pharmaceutical options and lifestyle modifications should be discussed with a healthcare provider to effectively manage high Lp(a) levels. Ground flaxseed may be considered as a complementary approach to improve overall lipid profiles, but its use should be guided by a healthcare provider, and patients should be monitored regularly to assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan 1.
From the Research
Flaxseed Dosage for Reducing Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
- The optimal dose of flaxseed for reducing Lp(a) is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2.
- However, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that flaxseed supplementation significantly decreased plasma Lp(a) levels, with a standardized mean difference of -0.22 (95% CI: -0.41 to -0.04, P = 0.017) 2.
- The studies included in the meta-analysis used various forms and doses of flaxseed, but the exact doses were not specified 2.
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal dose and form of flaxseed for reducing Lp(a) levels 2.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- Other treatments for reducing Lp(a) levels, such as niacin, lipoprotein apheresis, and antisense oligonucleotide therapy, have been studied 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Niacin has been shown to reduce Lp(a) levels by 20-30% 5, 6, while lipoprotein apheresis can decrease Lp(a) concentrations by more than 60% 3, 4.
- Antisense oligonucleotide therapy has been shown to selectively decrease Lp(a) by almost 80% 6.