Effect of flax on obesity and biological aging

Obesity is associated with metabolic disorders and intense oxidative stress, which can be aggravated with age. The aim of this study was to test the beneficial effect of linseed oil, which is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), on disorders of lipid metabolism and redox status induced by the cafeteria diet (hyperlipidic and hypercaloric) in aged wistar rats. The aged rats were divided into six groups fed the control (standard) diet with or without linseed oil at (2.5% or 5%) and others fed the cafeteria diet with or without linseed oil at both concentrations. The rats were sacrificed after two months on the diet. Blood and organ samples (liver, adipose tissue, muscle, intestine) were taken to determine changes in lipid metabolism and redox status. The results show that the cafeteria diet induces obesity, hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia with altered serum and organ fatty acid composition in aged wistar rats.