Flaxseed Lignans

SDG was claimed to be effective in reducing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis oxidative stress and lowering serum levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and raising serum levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Additionally, low serum enterodiol concentration in man has been associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation in vivo and might, therefore, be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dietary supplementary with SDG was shown to be effective in inhibiting the development of type-1 and type-2 diabetes. With respect to cancer, EL and ED have been shown to exert anticarcinogenic properties. Moreover, in epidemiological studies, they have been associated with a reduced cancer risk. Supplementary SDG has shown positive effects on the early markers of colon carcinogenesis, on the initial and promotional stages of mammary tumorigenesis in rats, on the pulmonary metastasis of melanoma cells in mice.