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

Abstract

Cold-pressed chia seed oils (ChO) are known for their health-promoting characteristics due to their high content of omega-3 α-linolenic acid (ω-3 ALA). We investigated the influence of ChO supplementation as a functional food on animal models of the cardiovascular risk factors hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome (MS). Dietary intervention with ChO (equivalent to 4.8 g ALA per day) was found to improve vascular dysfunction and mitigate the rise in plasma triglyceride (TG) levels under hypercholesterolemic conditions. However, impaired glucose tolerance was found in control ChO-treated animals. In order to verify whether the effects of chia seed are the same as that of ChO, we replaced ChO with an equivalent amount of seed. Glucose intolerance was found once again. For this reason, we carried out a new study in which ChO intake was reduced to 3 g ALA per day, and no alterations were observed in such conditions. Thus, dietary intervention with ChO equivalent to 3 g ALA intake per day was chosen to analyze the effects on the alterations that 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’s deleterious effects on visceral abdominal fat, fasting glucose and glucose tolerance. Our results support the view that dietary guidelines for treating patients with hypercholesterolemia or MS must be carefully planned in such a way that the incorporation of ChO into the diet should be controlled and nutritional background be considered.