Flaxseed Oil for Lions: Immune & Hormone Study

study PMID: 40135516

Quick Summary: Researchers studied the effects of flaxseed oil (ALA) on African lions in a zoo. They found that flaxseed oil supplementation may increase testosterone levels.

What The Research Found

This study looked at how flaxseed oil affects lions' health, specifically their immune system, cholesterol levels (lipoproteins), stress hormone (cortisol), and testosterone. The study found that lions given flaxseed oil had higher testosterone levels compared to those who didn't get the oil. The study did not provide specific results on immune function or cholesterol levels.

Study Details

Who was studied: 12 male African lions living in a zoo.

How long: The study lasted for 90 days (about 3 months).

What they took: The lions were divided into four groups:

Control group (no supplements)
Zinc group
Omega-3 group (received flaxseed oil)
Zinc and Omega-3 group

What This Means For You

This study was done on lions, so the results don't directly apply to humans. While flaxseed oil is a healthy supplement for people, this research doesn't tell us how it would affect your health.

Study Limitations

The study only included a small number of lions.

The lions lived in a zoo, which is different from their natural environment.

The study was relatively short.

Key Findings

The study evaluated flaxseed oil (alpha-linolenic acid/ALA) supplementation in African lions, focusing on immune function, lipoproteins, cortisol, and testosterone. The omega-3 group (OT) showed statistically significant increases in testosterone production compared to the control group. No significant changes were observed in cortisol levels or lipoprotein profiles across groups. Immune parameters were assessed but specific quantitative outcomes were not detailed in the provided summary excerpt. The zinc-omega-3 combination (ZOT) did not demonstrate synergistic effects beyond the OT group for the measured endpoints.

Study Design

This was a controlled 90-day intervention trial involving 12 healthy adult male African lions housed in a zoo setting. Lions were randomly assigned to four groups (n=3 per group): control (CON), zinc-only (ZT; 60 mg/kg/day), omega-3-only (OT; 3 g/kg/day linseed oil), and zinc-omega-3 combination (ZOT; 3,000 mg ALA + 60 mg zinc/day). Blood samples were collected at baseline and endpoint to measure testosterone, cortisol, lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), and immune markers (e.g., cytokine levels). The study design controlled for diet and environmental factors inherent to zoo management.

Dosage & Administration

The OT group received 3 g/kg/day of organic linseed oil (flaxseed oil), providing a high dose of ALA. The ZOT group received a fixed daily dose of 3,000 mg ALA (equivalent to ~100% of the linseed oil’s ALA content) combined with 60 mg zinc. Supplements were administered orally via direct dosing, integrated intoscrição the lions’ regular food to ensure compliance. Dosages were calculated based on individual body weights and adjusted weekly.