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Dietary lignans: The phytoestrogens with amazing health benefits for women and men

Dietary lignans: The phytoestrogens with amazing health benefits for women and men

• Lignans can help you stay thin!

Researchers at Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that menopausal women who have the highest blood levels of enterolactone had an average BMI of 26.1 (body mass index) when compared to women with the lowest average blood levels, who had an average BMI of 30.4.

The healthy BMI range for all women is 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI above 30.0 is obese. Women with the high dietary lignan intake group also had a significantly lower total body fat mass (24.8 versus 33.3), as well as a more efficient metabolism of glucose (blood sugar) when compared to the women who had the lowest enterolactone blood levels. The women with the higher enterolactone levels also had healthier glucose levels.

Although the women with the lower body mass index were overweight, their risk of developing complications, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes or cardiovascular disease was lower than the group of women whose enterolactone levels were low. 12

Conclusion

Eating more whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits and vegetables is the way to get more fiber and lignans. But it’s hard to be consistent and to get the amount needed to raise and maintain enterolactone levels. So to be safe, and to reduce your risk of a multitude of health concerns, consider taking a dietary lignan supplement. It’s easy, it’s inexpensive and it’s a sure way to make sure you’re getting the needed 50 to 100 milligrams of lignans each day to raise your blood levels of enterolactone.


• For more information about how probiotics can boost your natural intestinal bacteria visit: http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/view/how-probiotics-balance-intestinal-ecology-and-promote-wellness-and-lon/P3/

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Editor's Note:

The natural health solutions described in this article are available through many on-line retailers including those listed below. By clicking these links you help support the important alternative health research we provide.

Visit www.amazon.com – a great way to find competitive deals on supplements offered by many different manufacturers.

Visit www.hfn-usa.com – when commitment to quality and freshness is important, this factory direct solution is preferred by many of our readers.

This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.

References

  1. Olsen A, Knudsen KE, Thomsen BL, Loft S, Stripp C, Overvad K, Møller S, Tjønneland A. Plasma enterolactone and breast cancer incidence by estrogen receptor status. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Dec;13(12):2084-9.

     

  2. Bylund A, Saarinen N, Zhang JX, Bergh A, Widmark A, Johansson A, Lundin E, Adlercreutz H, Hallmans G, Stattin P, Mäkela S. Anticancer effects of a plant lignan 7-hydroxymatairesinol on a prostate cancer model in vivo. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2005 Mar;230(3):217-23.

  3. Qu H, Madl RL, Takemoto DJ, Baybutt RC, Wang W. Lignans are involved in the antitumor activity of wheat bran in colon cancer SW480 cells. J Nutr. 2005 Mar;135(3):598-602.

  4. Vanharanta M, Voutilainen S, Rissanen TH, Adlercreutz H, Salonen JT. Risk of cardiovascular disease-related and all-cause death according to serum concentrations of enterolactone: Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. Arch Intern Med. 2003 May 12;163(9):1099-104.

  5. Peterson J, Dwyer J, Adlercreutz H, Scalbert A, Jacques P, McCullough ML. Dietary lignans: physiology and potential for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Nutr Rev. 2010 Oct;68(10):571-603. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00319.x.

  6. Kim MK, Chung BC, Yu VY, Nam JH, Lee HC, Huh KB, Lim SK. Relationships of urinary phyto-oestrogen excretion to BMD in postmenopausal women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2002 Mar;56(3):321-8.

  7. Boulbaroud S, Mesfioui A, Arfaoui A, Ouichou A, el-Hessni A. Preventive effects of flaxseed and sesame oil on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Preventive effects of flaxseed and sesame oil on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Pak J Biol Sci. 2008 Jul 1;11(13):1696-701.

  8. Cosentino M. New clinical research – the HMRlignanTM strategy for sustainable women’s health support. Presented May 9, 2007 at Vitafoods, Geneva, Switzerland.

  9. Buck K, Zaineddin AK, Vrieling A, Linseisen J, Chang-Claude J. Meta-analyses of lignans and enterolignans in relation to breast cancer risk. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;92(1):141-53. Epub 2010 May 12.

  10. Touillaud, MS, Thiébaut, ACM, Fournier, A, et al. Dietary Lignan Intake and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk by Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status. J Natl Can Inst, 2007;99(6):475-486.

  11. Bylund A,a et al. Anticancer effects of a plant lignan 7-hydroxymatairesinol on a prosate cancer model in vivo. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2005 Mar;230)3):217-23.

  12. Morisset AS, Lemieux A, Veilleux J, SJ Bergeron, A Weisnagel, Tchernof A. “Impact of a lignan-rich diet on adiposity and insulin sensitivity in post-menopausal women” British Journal of Nutrition. 2009, 102: 195-200. Published online ahead of print, First View, doi:10.1017/S0007114508162092

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