Lignans in Flax

Lignans

                                                                                                   Antioxidants

                                                                                                    Tara Raven                                                   






"Scientists now believe that free radicals are causal factors in nearly every known disease, from heart disease to arthritis to cancer to cataracts. In fact, radicals are a major culprit in the aging process itself."
Dr.Lester Packer

    An antioxidant is a molecule found in food and supplements that is capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules and protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism (Mills, 2000).
A major group of antioxidant compounds, called Lignans, are found in plants. Certain plants have phytoestrogens that have estrogen-like actions in humans and animals. Phytoestrogens are isoflavones, coumestans, flavinoids and Lignans. Flax seeds have the highest lignan content. (Grouppe Kurosawa, 2005 p.3)
    

    Lignans are metabolized in the colon by bacteria, however some humans have destroyed their bacterial flora due to lifestyle choices, or lack the correct type of bacteria. (Jan, 2009) Taking anti-biotics will stop production of certain ‘good’ bacteria such as enterodiol and enterolactone, for several weeks. Taking Pro-biotics is essential for a healthy gut. (Mills, 2000)
   

     Flaxseed is the richest source of lignans and has been shown to reduce the growth of tumors in rats. (Thompson, 2005) Flaxseed contains 100 to 800 times more lignan precursors than any other plant food in the vegetarian diet. (Grouppe Kurosawa, 2005 p.24) A kinetic study involving 12 healthy adults, the lignans were absorbed from the colon in approximately 9 hours, and reach its maximum concentration in the blood approximately 8 hours later. (Flax Council, p.46) Grinding the seeds can enhance the bioavailability of flax lignans. (Mills, 2000)
   

    Lignans are believed to work by binding to estrogen receptors on cell membranes, much like the body’s own steroid estrogens do. The main flax lignan is called, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), which is an antioxidant and scavenges for certain free radicals. (Flax Council, p.51) We produce free radicals continually as we use (oxidize) fats, proteins, alcohol and some carbohydrates for energy. Free radicals can damage tissues and have been implicated in diseases like, cancer, diabetes, Lupus and Kidney disease. (Thompson, 2005)
   

    Lignans affect receptors found on the surface of cell membranes. (Mills, 2000) A study conducted in France suggested that plant lignans affect hormone receptors in breast tissue. Among 58,049 French women who did not eat soy, but had a high dietary intake of lignans, was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. The benefits were limited to women with estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor positive tumors, suggesting that the biologic effects of lignans derive in part from their effects on cell hormone receptors. (Grouppe Kurosawa, 2005 p.18)
  

     Lignans stimulate the synthesis of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), (Thompson, 2005) which binds sex hormones and reduces their circulation in the bloodstream and decreases their biologic activity. (Flax Council, p. 48) Lignans also inhibit the activity of aromatase, an enzyme involved in the production of estrogens. Decreased aromatase activity may be one way in which lignans protect against breast cancer. (Grouppe Kurosawa, 2005 p.11)
   

    Kidney disease is usually the result of damage done to kidneys by exposure to certain drugs or toxins, heavy metals, solvents, poisons or pesticides. Impaired kidney function can also accompany or result from other disorders, such as diabetes, lupus, hypertension, and liver disease. (Mills, 2000 p.56) However, in a study involving the dietary supplement of concentrated flax lignans the research showed the existence of protein in the urine, which is a sign of severe renal disease. (Flax council, 2005 p.48) Lignans produce specific reversible and completive inhibition of platelet activating factors PAF. (Mills, 2000 p.56)
   

    Meta-analysis (the combination of several studies) indicates that the lignan SDG from flaxseed can help prevent or significantly delay the development of diabetes. (Flax council, 2005) In a study with rats published in 2001, Dr. Prasad of the College of Medicine, Physiology Department, found that SDG reduces development of adult-onset diabetes (type 2) by 80 percent, and delays the development of the disease significantly. (Grouppe Kursawa, 2005 p.6)
   

    Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect many organs including the skin. Lupus patients suffer from kidney failure and accelerated vascular disease with heart attacks, strokes and other severe arthritic complications.  There is no cure for Lupus. (Murray, 1998 p.195) Research has shown that SDG has a therapeutic role in Lupus. Lupus patients have an increased production of Platelet activating factors (PAF) and decreased metabolism. Platelets are fragments of large cells in bone marrow, which get into the blood. Lignans reduce the accumulation of PAF’s by acting as a PAF receptor antagonist. (Flax Council, 2005 p.76) A study conducted with eight lupus patients, they were given 15, 30, and 45 grams of flaxseed per day for four weeks.  PAF-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by all doses. Each patient showed significant reduction of inflammation and arthritic pain which is so prevalent in the progression of the disease. (Grouppe Kurosawa, 2005 p.4)
   

    The health benefits of the lignans are evident, profound and abundant especially when taken in the form of flax seed. By following some basic guidelines, you may enjoy better health and reduce your chances of getting certain diseases. I recommend getting advice from a qualified nutrition expert.
   
   
   
   
References:

Flax Council Of Canada (n.d.) Retrieved July 5, 2009 from PubMed
    www.flaxcouncil.ca/english
Grouppe Kurosawa (2005) Retrieved July 3,2009 from,
    https://www.grouppekurosawa.com
Jan, K., Hwang, L., Ho, C. (2009) Biotransformation of Sesaminol  
    Triglucoside to Mammalian Lignans by Intestinal Microbiota. Retrieved July 5, 2009 from PubMed
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2000) Principals and Practices of Phtyotherapy:
    Modern Herbal Medicine. London, United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone.
Murray, M., Pizzorno, J. (1998) Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. New
     York, New York, Three Rivers Press.
Thompson, L., Chen, J., Li, T. (2005) Dietary flaxseed alters tumor
    Biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer. Department of Nutritional Sciences. Retrieved July 5, 2009 from PubMed.