Chia Seed Oil Intake: Is It Beneficial for Preventing Cardiovascular Risk Factors?

JEREZ, SUSANA; MEDINA, ANALÍA; ALARCÓN, GABRIELA; SIERRA, LILIANA; MEDINA, MIRTA

Biology and Life Sciences Forum

MDPI

Año: 2021 vol. 8

Abstract: Cold-pressed chia seed oils (ChO) are known for their health-promoting characteristicsdue to their high content of omega-3 α-linolenic acid (ω-3 ALA). We investigated the influenceof ChO supplementation as a functional food on animal models of the cardiovascular risk factorshypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome (MS). Dietary intervention with ChO (equivalentto 4.8 g ALA per day) was found to improve vascular dysfunction and mitigate the rise in plasmatriglyceride (TG) levels under hypercholesterolemic conditions. However, impaired glucose tolerancewas found in control ChO-treated animals. In order to verify whether the effects of chia seed are thesame as that of ChO, we replaced ChO with an equivalent amount of seed. Glucose intolerance wasfound once again. For this reason, we carried out a new study in which ChO intake was reduced to3 g ALA per day, and no alterations were observed in such conditions. Thus, dietary interventionwith ChO equivalent to 3 g ALA intake per day was chosen to analyze the effects on the alterationsthat characterize high-fat diet-induced MS. ChO supplementation lowered the ω-6/ω-3 ratio, TG,blood pressure and improved endothelial function. Nevertheless, ChO worsened the high-fat diet?sdeleterious effects on visceral abdominal fat, fasting glucose and glucose tolerance. Our resultssupport the view that dietary guidelines for treating patients with hypercholesterolemia or MS mustbe carefully planned in such a way that the incorporation of ChO into the diet should be controlledand nutritional background be considered.