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Lignans and cardiovascular health |
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According to the Center for Disease Control:
 Heart disease and stroke—the principal components of cardiovascular disease—are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for 40 percent of the deaths in the U.S.
Although heart disease and stroke are often thought to affect men and older people primarily, it is also a major killer of women and people in the prime of life.
About 16 million Americans (almost one fourth of the population) have some form of cardiovascular disease.
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of premature permanent disability among working adults.
Almost six million hospitalizations each year are due to cardiovascular disease.
The overall cost of heart disease and stroke in 2003 is estimated to be $351 billion.
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With these staggering
statistics, it is no
wonder that people are
interested in natural products
that may promote heart health.
Cardiovascular disease is the
result of atherosclerosis, in
which deposits of cholesterol
and other substances accumulate
and form plaque on artery walls.
Plaque build-up can gradually
narrow the inside of the artery,
restricting blood flow. Sometimes
plaque breaks away from the
artery wall, which can cause a
blood clot. A heart attack or
stroke can occur when blood
flow is completely blocked.
High cholesterol is a risk factor
for cardiovascular disease. Free
radicals are also implicated in
the development of atherosclerosis
or hardening of the artery
walls.
Today Americans are turning
to more natural ingredients to
maintain overall heart health
and reduce risk factors to the
heart. Studies suggest that the
dietary fiber and certain fatty
acids in flax can help reduce
risks of cardiovascular disease.
Research also suggests that flax lignans play a role in
cardiovascular health.
Secoisolariciresinol
diglycoside (SDG) is a
plant lignan isolated
from flaxseed. In addition
to being a phytoestrogen,
SDG is a
strong antioxidant
(which is associated
with a reduced risk of
atherosclerosis).
The antioxidant
SDG is also metabolized
to secoisolariciresinol
(SECO),
enterodiol (ED) and
enterolactone (EL) in
the body. The effectiveness
of SDG in
heart health could be
due to these metabolites
and their powerful
antioxidant
activity. Testing has
shown these metabolites
individually to
deliver three times
more antioxidant
potency than their
precursor SDG and up
to five times more
potency than vitamin E.
Studies in humans
have found that
flaxseed taken daily
can reduce total and
bad (LDL) cholesterol
levels, because whole
flaxseed contains several
heart health components
(fatty acids,
fiber and lignans)
these studies could
not tell us how much
effect is due to the lignans.
Recently a study
was done in rabbits,
using lignans (SDG)
isolated from flaxseed.
The object of the
study was to determine
the effect
of the lignans on
cholesterol, oxidative
stress and on the
development of atherosclerosis
in rabbits
fed a high cholesterol
diet.
Results showed
that the flax
lignan SDG reduced
deposits of cholesterol,
plaque build-up
and other substances
on the artery walls
(atherosclerosis)
by as much as 73
percent. The reduction
of atherosclerosis
was associated with a
reduction in oxidative
stress. The lignans
also reduced total
and bad (LDL) cholesterol.
These results
suggest that the
heart benefits of SDG
may be due to its
antioxidant activity
and a lipid lowering
effect.
Studies suggest that the dietary fiber and certain fatty acids in flax can help reduce
risks of cardiovascular disease. Research also suggests that flax lignans play a role
in cardiovascular health.
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