Abstract

EFFECT OF CHIA SEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND SERUM LIPID PROFILE IN WOMEN WITH HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

Monica Kothari and Sheba Jeyaraj*

Abstract

Background: Elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), especially low density lipoprotein (LDL), serum triglyceride (TG) and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) have been documented as leading risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indian women. Objective: To determine the effect of Chia seed supplementation on the anthropometric measurements and serum lipid profile (SLP) in women with hypercholesterolemia. Method: This study included 30 women (30–45 yrs) with hypercholesterolemia (200mg/dl- 239mg/dl), of which, an equal number (n=15) belonged to Group I (Control group without supplementation but with diet counseling) and Group II (Test group with Chia seed supplementation and diet counseling).The study was conducted for a period of 60 days. The subjects in the test group were asked to consume 12.5g of Chia seeds, twice (before lunch and dinner) every day followed by 200ml of water. Results: Statistically significant reductions were seen in the anthropometric measurements and SLP of women in the test group when compared to that of the control group. Significant reductions were seen in the BMI and waist circumference of the subjects in Group II by 2.4% and 3.1% respectively compared to a mild increment by 0.6% in both the parameters in Group I. Regarding the SLP - TC, LDL, Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), serum TG, TC:HDL ratio and TG:HDL ratio reduced by 14.7%, 10.2%, 20.7%, 20.7%, 10.6% and 17.1% respectively in Group II compared to increments by 1.1%, 4.7%, 23.1%, 23.1%, 4.7% and 29.1% respectively in Group I. Conclusion: Chia seeds can be advocated as an effective hypolipidemic agent inorder to prevent cardiovascular disease complications.

Keywords: Chia seeds, Coronary Heart Disease, Dyslipidemia.