DIETARY LIGNAN-Amazing health benefits

By Sam Maondu

Lignan is a phytochemical found in plants. Lignan contain estrogen called phytoestrogen which has an ability to mimic the mammalian estrogen and it binds to the mammalian estrogen receptors in the cell.

There are two types of lignan;-

• Plant lignan
• Mammalian lignan

Plant lignan is metabolized to mammalian lignan by a bacteria -normal flora- found in the intestines.

Sources of lignan

The sources of plant lignan include:-

• flax seed
• sesame seed
• oat
• barley
• beans
• yams
• carrots
• broccoli
• apples
• soy seed
• pumpkin seed

Possible health benefits of Lignan

Anti-cancer properties

Estrogen has been implicated with growth of cancer cells in the body. Lignan -a phytoestrogen- binds to the receptor sites of the estrogen limiting the total amount of estrogen available for the body. This has been associated with reduced risks of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer. Lignan also promotes prostate gland health and been linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Lignan have an antioxidant effect in the body which helps to neutralize the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are responsible for destruction od the cellular genetic material which may then undergo mutation and epimutation resulting to formation of cancer cells.

Heart health

Bad cholesterol -Low density lipoprotein and very Low density lipoprotein- is deposited along the inner lining of the major blood vessels which poses a great threat in genesis of heart diseases. According to a study done in canada, lignan -SDG- helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol  and triglycerides in the body which helps in promoting heart health. Deposition of bad cholesterol along the blood vessel inner lining creates resistance of blood flow, elevation of systemic blood pressure and weakening of the heart muscles which results into heart failure. Studies have also shown that lignan helps in reduction of diastolic blood pressure. According to Wikipedia, Lignan plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in prevention of disease processes.

Blood sugar control

Intake of food rich in lignans may help in promoting better glycaemic control especially in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is associate with overweight and obesity. People with high level of blood lignan level, especially enterolactone -a mammalian lignan- have lower BMI compared to people who have lower blood lignan levels.

Hot flashes and excessive night sweats in menopause

Estrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries as a result of stimulation of ovaries by an hormone called FSH. As menopause approaches, ovaries become less responsive to FSH resulting to production of less estrogen. This is associated with development of post-menopausal symptoms and in this context, hot flushes and excess night sweats occur.

This can be corrected by use of hormonal replacement therapy containing estrogen. Lignan are sources of natural estogen called phytoestrogen which helps to overcome post menopausal hot flushes and excessive night sweats but their effeciency may not be similar to that of synthetic estrogen supplements.

Supports hair growth

Dehydrotestosterone (DHT) is more potent androgen formed when testosterone is converted to DHT. DHT is stored in various parts of the body to include under the skin at the base of hair follicle where they exert their effect by inhibiting growth of hair follicles. Phytoestrogen blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT and is associated with growth of hair.

References

1. British Journal of Nutrition, Impact of Lignan-rich diet on adiposity and insulin sensitivity in post meneopausal women
2. PMC, US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health.  Dietary lignan: physiology and potentialfor cardiovascular disease risk reduction
3. Lignan- wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lignan.
4. 9th edition, Ross and Wilson, Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, @2001