Comparative effects of brown and golden flaxseeds on body composition, inflammation and bone remodelling biomarkers in perimenopausal overweight women

Flaxseed may improve the adverse effects of the lack of oestrogens. This study compared the effects of brown and golden flaxseed intake on body composition, inflammation and bone biomarkers in overweight perimenopausal women. The participants were divided into groups: control, brown, and golden flaxseed and received a calorie-restricted diet plan of 250 kcal per day. The brown and golden flaxseed groups consumed 40 g of the respective flaxseed per day for 12 weeks. Both flaxseeds reduced waist circumference, but the golden flaxseed also reduced body weight, body mass index, and fat mass. Flaxseed supplementation, irrespective to the variety, had no significant effect on pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) biomarkers, hormones (25(OH)D3 and 17β-oestradiol) or on the bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen - NTX-I) biomarkers. Brown flaxseed was less effective than the golden flaxseed in modifying body composition of perimenopausal women.