Effects of Flaxseed Supplementation in Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age and older * having three of the following five features: Increased waist circumference (≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women), elevated TG (≥150 mg/dl), reduced HDL-C (≤40 mg/dl in men and ≤50 mg/dl in women), elevated blood pressure (≥130/85 mm Hg or on treatment for hypertension) and elevated glucose (≥100 mg/dl), according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III report Exclusion Criteria: * history of allergy or high consumption of nuts, flaxseed, or sesame seeds * clinically diagnosed renal, liver, heart, pituitary, thyroid, or psychiatric disorders impairing the patient's ability to provide written informed consent * history of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, alimentary tract disorders affecting absorption * pregnancy, lactation, and lack of effective birth control in women of child-bearing potential