What health benefits does Flax Lignans have? - Acetar

Flax Seed Lignans Basics / Overview / Introduction

Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the important oil crops. In addition to being rich in oil and protein, flaxseed also contains high levels of essential fatty acids (EFA's) - α-linolenic acid (LNA) and linoleic acid (LA), and the natural ratio of these two fatty acids is also It is more suitable for humans, so flaxseed has always been considered the best source of essential fatty acids for humans. With the development of biotechnology and the improvement and innovation of various detection instruments, the utilization of flax is not only for making linen and extracting linseed oil, but also for the comprehensive extraction and utilization of active ingredients in flaxseed, including A promising component in flaxseed - lignans.

Flaxseed lignan extract benefits

Flax lignans benefits, Lignans-secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) not only act on the metabolism of endogenous sex hormones, but also affect intracellular enzymes, protein synthesis, and cell proliferation and differentiation. Lignans have strong antioxidant properties, can effectively curb harmful chemicals that promote cancer formation, and are strong tumor suppressors. Studies have shown that eating foods containing flax can reduce the incidence of breast, colon and prostate cancers. In addition, lignans exhibit weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects when bound to estrogen receptors.

(1) Anti-Tumor

Lignans have the effect of inhibiting tumor formation. Dai reported in 2002 that women with high levels of mammalian lignans (enterolactone (ED) and enterodiol (EL)) in urine and plasma were associated with a lower risk of thymic carcinoma.                                                                                                              

                                         Source: Cancer epidemiology,biomarkers and prevention, 2002,11:815~821

Adlercreutz's research shows that when the concentration of enterodiol in plasma is 30~70nmol/l, it can inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, reduce the size of breast tumors and reduce the probability of their occurrence.  

                                                                                 Source: The lancet oncology, 20023:364~373

(2) Prevent Diabetes

Prasad demonstrated that flaxseed lignan SDG reduces oxidative stress in tissues in the body, thereby preventing the onset and progression of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. SDG isolated from flaxseed reduces glycosuria and hyperglycemia in mice. SDG was able to delay the development of type 2 diabetes in female mice. Studies have shown that the development of diabetes is associated with higher oxidative stress, and SDG has important antioxidant properties. SDG treatment prevents or reduces biomarkers of oxidative stress.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Source: Mol.Cell.Biochem., 2000,209:89~96

(3) Prevent Atherosclerosis

It is well known that hypercholesterolemia and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels are the main causes of arteriosclerosis. Lignans are an antioxidant, and antioxidants play an important role in reducing high cholesterol arteriosclerosis. Prasad studies have shown that lignans isolated from flaxseeds can reduce the degree of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis, this effect and reduce oxidative stress, reduce total plasma cholesterol and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels , Elevated plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Therefore, lignan compounds are beneficial for preventing arteriosclerosis and reducing risk factors such as coronary artery disease.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Source: Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine,2001,138:32~39

Vanharanta reported that high EL concentrations in plasma can prevent the occurrence of coronary heart disease, and high EL concentrations in plasma are associated with lower levels of lipid peroxidation in vivo. This cardioprotective effect lies in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation or changes in SHBG (estrogen-binding protein) production and cholesterol cycling.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Source: Atherosclerosis, 2002,160:465~469

Due to the unique effect of lignans, the development of new drugs, health products, and cosmetics using lignans as the main raw material has become a hot research topic at present. Holland Unilever Co., Ltd. and Aircomb Biotechnology Co., Ltd. have applied for patents on the application of lignans in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Therefore, the practical application of lignans is of great significance.