Effect of flaxseed intervention on iron overload and its complications in thalassemia major patients
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 8 September 2023
Issue publication date: 21 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Phytochemicals are known for their iron chelation ability with no side effects. Lignans and polyphenols in flaxseed have iron-chelating and antioxidant abilities. Therefore, this study aims to assess the ability of flaxseed to reduce iron overload and minimize its negative health effects.
Design/methodology/approach
A randomized control trial was conducted. A total of 96 patients were enrolled in this study and randomized into three groups: two intervention groups had 3 or 7 g of whole flaxseed and a control group took a placebo (gram seeds). Interventions were administered for 12 weeks. A hematological profile, ferritin quantification in serum, and liver function tests were performed to evaluate the effects of flaxseed.
Findings
It was observed that flaxseed with synthetic iron chelators caused a significant reduction in ferritin levels compared with synthetic chelators. The pre-transfusion hemoglobin level was also improved in the intervention group. A significant reduction (p value 0.0003) in ferritin levels among intervention groups indicated that flaxseed reduced the iron overload. It can be concluded that flaxseed reduced iron overload in thalassemia major patients with no side effects and may reduce iron overload solely when taken in adequate quantity.
Originality/value
Although the study targets a non-specific protein-ferritin for the evaluation of iron-overload, the initial ferritin value and reduction in these levels indicate the efficacy of ferritin for reducing iron overload in thalassemia major patients. Moreover, this is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, that demonstrates the iron-chelation ability of flaxseed in thalassemia major patients, suggesting the use of flaxseed for iron chelation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors want to acknowledge Sundas Foundation.
Statement of ethics. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Sundas Foundation, with protocol number (SFL-EC-0014) and approval date of July 15, 2019. Written informed consent was obtained from participants or their parents to participate in the study.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Citation
Fayyaz, T., Qadeer, M.I., Irfan, M., Amjad, F., Fatima, T. and Husnain, S. (2023), "Effect of flaxseed intervention on iron overload and its complications in thalassemia major patients", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 8, pp. 1268-1278. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-12-2022-0395
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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