Estrogen Management and Flax Lignans

[Guest guest]

Post subject: Estrogen Management and Flax Lignans JoAnn Guest Oct 26, 2005

21:15 PDT

 

--

By Martine Carlina

Estrogen Management and Flax Lignans

 

Flaxseed has been around for centuries, however its nutritional benefits

have only been popularized over the past few years. Flaxseed is well

known for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as for being

an excellent source of fibre.

 

What most people don’t know is that flaxseed an excellent source of

vegetarian protein as well as the single most concentrated source of the

phytoestrogen group, “lignans.”

 

Phytoestrogens are estrogenic compounds found in plants. These

phytoestrogens are broadly defined to include isoflavones, coumestans

and lignans. All three have naturally occurring plant estrogens that

create a balancing effect on hormones, although both lignans and

isoflavones are far more predominant in the human diet. Many people

would be more familiar with the isoflavones found in soy, as lignans are

relatively new on the scene.

 

Secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) is the plant lignan that is most

notably found in flaxseed. It is classified as a phytoestrogen because

it is a plant-derived, nonsteroid compound that is known for

estrogen-like activity. The level of SDG in flaxseed can vary between

0.6 percent and 1.8 percent. SDG has both estrogenic and antioxidant

activities. It is said that lignans can influence energy levels and

sleep patterns, provide immune support, aid in digestion, and that they

are potentially anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and

anti-carcinogenic.

 

Early research suggests lignans may protect against cancers, including

breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. One of the breast

cancer risks factors is described as excess exposure to the hormone

estrogen. Observational studies have found that breast cancer patients

and those with a high risk of breast cancer excrete less mammalian

lignans than people with a lower risk of breast cancer. One study found

that women with high enterolcatone levels in their blood (the end result

of the conversion of lignans) had a lower risk of breast cancer.

 

The plant lignans found in flax are known to interfere with estrogen

metabolism in animals and humans by mimicking estrogen, thus tricking

the body into thinking estrogen is present so it stops overproducing it.

 

 

It is important to note that lignans must be complimented by the

presence of “good bacteria” in the intestinal tract and colon in order

to effectively complete their conversion. Ingested plant lignans are

converted to mammalian lignans by gut and colon bacteria. These

mammalian lignans have two metabolic fates. Either they can be excreted

directly in the feces, or after being absorbed by the gut they enter

enterohepatic circulation, which means that they are partially

reabsorbed, conjugated mainly with glucuronate and then excreted in

urine and bile. The amount of lignans ingested and utilized can be

detected in the urine (in the forms of enterolactone and enterodiol).

 

Although fibre content remains quite constant in flaxseeds and flaxseed

powder this is not the case with lignan content. In one tablespoon of

flaxseed you will find approximately 8 mg of lignans, where in the same

amount of flax powder the lignan content can vary between 70 mg and 300

mg. If you are looking for a source of lignans, the powders are your

best bet.

 

There is much more research needed on the subject of phytoestrogens and

lignans, but preliminary studies do indicate positive effects of lignans

in the human diet. For those of us who choose to be proactive about our

health, the addition of flaxseed and flaxseed powders to our daily

regime is a simple way to add a tasty wholefood supplement, complete

with protein, essential fats, fibre and lignans. What could be simpler?

_________________

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.