Flaxseed Lignans Health Benefits  
Bhathena SJ and Velasquez MT from US Department of Agriculture, MD,
reported that Nutritional intervention studies performed in animals and
humans suggest that the ingestion of flaxseed rich in lignans (matairesinol
and secoisolariciresinol) improves glucose control and insulin resistance in
their review article. [1] Lignans appear to act through various mechanisms
that modulate pancreatic insulin secretion or through antioxidative actions.
They may also act via estrogen receptor-mediated mechanisms. The
diversity of cellular actions of flaxseed lignans supports their possible
beneficial effects on various chronic diseases, especially diabetes. [1-5]

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is metabolized to
secoisolariciresinol (SECO), enterodiol (ED), and enterolactone (EL) in the
body. These metabolites, vitamin E and SDG showed antioxidant activities
in a study using chemiluminescence of zymosan-activated
polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Prasad K. from University of Saskatchewan
found the highest antioxidant activity with secoisolariciresinol and
enterodiol and lowest with vitamin E. [3] Dr. Prasad also found that
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) prevented or delayed the
development of diabetes in a study of 26 diabetic fatty female rats.
Incidence of diabetes was 100% in untreated and 20% in
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside -treated diabetic rats by the age of 72
days. [2]

Diabetes was associated with an increase in oxidative stress as suggested
by an increase in serum malondialdehyde, and associated with an
increase in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides and glycated
hemoglobin A. Diabetic rats treated with secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
that did not develop diabetes by 70 days of age had no increase in
oxidative stress, serum total cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin. [2]

            
             Benefits of Flaxseed Meal
               Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
               

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2007 [1] Bhathena SJ, et al, Beneficial
role of dietary phytoestrogens in obesity and diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr.
2002 Dec;76(6):1191-201. [2] Prasad K.  Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
from flaxseed delays the development of type 2 diabetes in Zucker rat. J
Lab Clin Med. 2001 Jul;138(1):32-9. [3] Prasad K. Antioxidant Activity of
Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside-derived Metabolites, Secoisolariciresinol,
Enterodiol, and Enterolactone. Int J Angiol. 2000 Oct;9(4):220-225. [4]
Prasad K. Oxidative stress as a mechanism of diabetes in diabetic BB
prone rats: effect of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). Mol Cell
Biochem. 2000 Jun;209(1-2):89-96. [5] Prasad K, et al, Protective effect of
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside against streptozotocin-induced diabetes
and its mechanism. Mol Cell Biochem. 2000 Mar;206(1-2):141-9.
Flaxseed

Why is flaxseed meal getting popular? What is its benefits? Flaxseed meal was found
to be more beneficial on some chronic conditions such as high triglycerides and liver
steatosis than soy protein meal, in a study of rats.

Flaxseed or Flaxseed oil, which one offers better health benefits? Flaxseed oil alone
in human subjects had no effects on the lipid profiles in some studies.

Why are lignans so important in flaxseed?
ingestion of flaxseed rich in lignans (matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol) improves
glucose control and insulin resistance.

What are the health benefits of flaxseed oil?
Flaxseed oil has been shown benefits on lowering heart
diseases by reducing cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and slowing down
atherosclerosis.
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