This document summarizes research on flaxseed and its lignan content. It finds that flaxseed is exceptionally high in lignans, which are plant compounds that may have several health benefits. Studies discussed found that lignans from flaxseed may help reduce symptoms of menopause, support prostate and breast health, lower risk of heart disease and cancer, and help conditions like hair loss and acne. The document provides an overview of research on lignans and recommends consuming 1-3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily to obtain potential health benefits from its lignan content.

2. Seven Star Phytonutrient of the New Millennium
Elixir of Womanhood
Nectar of Rejuvenation

3. Dr. Om Verma
M.B.B.S.,M.R.S.H. (London)
President, Flax Awareness Society
7-B-43, Mahaveer Nagar III, Kota (Raj.)
http://flaxindia.blogspot.in
+919460816360

4. The discovery of flaxseed as a lignan
storehouse came by just a chance
says Kenneth
Setchell, PhD, Children’s Hospital
Medical Center, Cincinnati. In a
study in 1978, he and his colleagues
unexpectedly found lignan levels in
one patient several hundred times
higher than had ever been seen
before. The patient told that he
baked his own bread and always
added flaxseed.
Dr Kenneth Setchell, PhD

5. High Lignan diet is linked with health benefits
•Lower risk of certain cancers
•Lower risk of heart disease
We do not get enough lignans from our modern diet because
•Daly intake of lignan is <1mg /day
•Processing of foods
•Low fruit, vegetable and whole grain intake

6. Lignans are phytonutrients found widespread in plant food
Lignans
Cereals Whole Grains
Fruits Vegetables
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is 75 to 800 times richer
in lignan than other plant source!

7. Immune-Enhancing Lignans
Just a 1/4 cup of Flax Seed contains as many
lignans as.....
.....90 pounds of cabbage
.....82 pounds of bananas
.....75 pounds of strawberries
.....25 pounds of broccoli
.....12 pounds of wheat

8. Foodstuff Secoisolariciresinol
Flaxseed 165759 µg / 100 g
Sesame seeds 240 µg / 100 g
Rye bran 462 µg / 100 g
Wheat bran 868 µg / 100 g
Oat bran 90 µg / 100 g
Barley bran 42 µg / 100 g
Flaxseed is blockbuster source of Lignan on this planet.

9. Different types of lignans
Flax lignans: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)
as present in the flax plant
When eaten plant lignans get converted into “mammalian
lignans” in the colon by healthy bacteria
Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)

10. Mammalian lignans
•Made from plant lignans by bacteria in the colon
•The mammalian lignans are Enterodiol and Enterolactone
•Bio-active forms present in the body

11. Eat ground flax or
Flax lignans supplement
SDG
SECO(aglycone)
Enterodiol (END)
Enterolactone (ENL)

12. • Phytoestrogens – balancing effects on
hormone levels
• Antioxidants – scavenge free radicals
• Interfere with enzymes involved in
hormone metabolism
• Lignan is
antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antil
upus and anticancer

13. Mammalian
lignans
Human Estrogen
Enterodiol
Enterolectone

14. Pre-menopause Post -menopause
Estrogen

15. Pre-menopause Post -menopause
Estrogen Lignans

16. Estrogen Lignans

17. “SDG, Enterodiol and
Enterolactone are better
antioxidants than vitamin-E”
Prasad (200 ) Int. J. Angiology.9:220-25
Relative antioxidant activity
Vitamin E 1
SDG
(Flax lignan)
1.27
SECO
(aglycone)
4.86
Enterodiol
(mammalian lignan)
5.02
Enterolactone
(mammalian lignan)
4.35

18. Inhibit enzymes involved in
hormone metabolism
• 5 alpha-reductase – involved in
testosterone
• Aromatase – key enzyme in the
body involved in estrogen
synthesis

19. Women Cardiovascular Health
- Hot Flushes - Atherosclerosis
- Breast health - High Cholesterol
- Osteoporosis
- Habitual abortion
- Dry vagina
- PMS
- Post-partum Obesity
Hormone Related
Conditions
Men - Hair loss
- Prostate health - Acne
Other Conditions
- Type-2 Diabetes
- Obesity

20. Menopause
• Loss of estrogen
• Cessation of periods
• Complaints
Hot flushes
Dry vagina
Mood swing
Osteoporosis
• Loss of protective effects
(bone, heart)

21. Lignans may help relieve menopausal
symptoms by their mild estrogenic effects.

22. • Flaxseed was as effective as hormone
replacement therapy in reducing mild
menopausal symptoms in menopausal women.
Lemay et al (2002) Obstel Gynecol 100(3) 495-504
• HRT has been shown to increase risk of breast
cancer and is unlikely to benefit heart
• So these days millions of women looking for
alternatives and herbal treatment

23. • Populations who eat diet rich in lignans have
lower risk of breast cancer
• Animal models of breast cancer
Purified SDG reduced tumor size and number of
breast tumors
• Human studies
Studies of women with and without breast
cancer indicate that flax lignans may have
protective benefits against cancer

24. Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer ate 2 ½
tablespoons of flaxseed per day
• Reduced tumor cell growth
• Effects were similar to tamoxifen (a breast cancer drug)
• No significant side effects were reported
Thomson (2000) Breast Cancer Res treat 64:50

25. “Protective” “Pro-cancer”
Estrogen
16 α-hydroxy-
estrone
2 Hydroxy-
estrone

26. “Protective” “Pro-cancer”
Estrogen
16 α-hydroxy-
estrone
2 Hydroxy-
estrone
Flax Lignans
improve the ratio of
estrogen
metabolites

27. In short term studies women who ate between 1 and 2 ½
rounded tablespoons of flaxseed a day has improved
estrogen metabolism
Suggests a protective effect against breast cancer
Haggans et al (1999) Nutr Cancer 33:188-195.
Haggans et al (2000) Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Pre. 9:19-25.
Brooks et al (2004) Am J.Clin Nutr 79:318-25

28. May lead to urinary flow Symptoms
Frequency
Urgency
Pain
Nocturia
Urinary retention
Normal Prostate Enlarged Prostate

29. Free testosterone
DHT
Di-hydro-testosterone
More potent
Prostate growth
Enterolactone
(mammalian lignan)
inhibited prostate 5
alpha reductase up
to 80%
5 alpha-reductase

30. Research at Duke University
Men undergoing repeat prostate biopsy given 3
tablespoons flaxseed plus low fat diet for 6 months.
• Decreased growth rates of benign prostate tissue
• Decreased PSA level
Denmark-Wahnefried. (2004) Urology; 63:900-904.

31. • Over 64 million Americans have some form
of cardiovascular disease.
• Higher levels of lignans in blood of men is
linked with less acute coronary events
• In women, higher intake of lignans has a
protective effect on the risk of
atherosclerosis

32.  Lignans are strong antioxidants
 SDG (main flax lignan)
• Reduced plaque build up
• Lowered total and bad cholesterol
• Stabilize blood pressure
Prasad (1999) Circulation. 99:1355-1362

33. Lignans may reduce stress response
Postmenopausal women with vascular disease were
given different 3 different flax diets
The flaxseed diet with highest level of lignans reduced
high blood pressure and stress hormones in response to
stressful tasks
Spence et al (2003) J Amer Coll Nutr 22:494-501.

34.  Hair loss
 Acne
 Hormones are major causes of both
• DHT (potent form of testosterone) initiates a
miniaturization of sensitive hair follicles
• Elevated androgens (DHT) plays a role in acne by
causing excess sebum production

35. Free testosterone
Hair loss
Acne
DHT
di-hydro-testosterone
Lignans may
influence the
metabolic process
involved in hair
loss and acne
5 alpha-reductase

36. Dear Doctors,
I am thrilled to tell you about miracle treatment for
AIDS patients. The Flax Lignans supercharge the
depleted immune system and gives an AIDS
sufferer a new life, new hope and a future. Flax
Lignan cost pennies per day for a child with AIDS.
Dr. Danial Daves
Director,
AIDS Research
Assistance Institute
# 8 Calloway Ct.
Mansfield, TX 76063
May 1, 2007
Dr. Danial Daves

37. • Currently no set guideline for lignin intake
• Human clinical trials used between 1 and 3
tablespoons of flaxseed daily
• Providing approximately 50 to 150 mg of SDG
(main flax lignan)

38. Thank you for your patience