Flax Hull Lignans

Flax hull Lignans are a natural organic substance containing high levels of lignans called secoisolariciresinol glucoside or SDG which, when converted to mammalian lignans (ED and EL) by good bacteria are powerful antioxidants and potent free radical scavengers.

The flax hulls are certified organic by U.S.A. Organics (Cert. # US-ND-P0012) & Global Organic Alliance, Inc. (Cert. # 4276) both of USA The flax hulls are certified Kosher and Pareve by VAAD HA'IR of WINNIPEG, Inc. of Canada

Flax has been cultivated for at least 7,000 years, making it one of the first domesticated crops. The health and medicinal value of flaxseed has also been long known. However, the reason why flaxseeds promote health has only in recent times been made known.  

Flax is an oilseed that belongs to the genus Linum. Its varieties are of two types: one is grown for oil and the other for fibre production. In most countries, flaxseed is also called "linseed".

Flaxseed contains fat (38% - Omega 3, 6, 9), Fibre (28%), Protein (19.5%), Carbohydrate (6.5% - sugars, lignans, phenolic acids, hemicellulose), Ash (4%), Minerals (1.8% - calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium), Vitamins (0.32% - A, B1, B2, C, E, Niacin), Lecithin (0.15%), Flavonoids (0.1%), Phytic acid (o.1%).  Note: this analysis is based on a typical analsyis of Canadian flaxseed.

The proximate composition of flaxseed can vary appreciably with genetics, soil, climate, seed processing and analytical methods.  While attention surrounding flaxseed has been its source of essential fatty acids, recent studies and research have revealed that the substance called "lignans" within flaxseed has very important and useful medicinal qualities too.

The health benefits of lignans may equal or surpass those of flaxseed oil.  Lignans are a group of phytonutrients (plant chemicals) found in seeds and grains. Flaxseed has by far the richest source of phytonutrients . It yields an extraordinary 800 mcg/g.

The flaxseed oil has less than 2% of lignans. The lignan found in flaxseed is called secoisolariciresinol glucoside (SDG). The lignan in flaxseed is a type of carbohydrate and classed as a phenolic compound or polyphenol.

  The first report of lignan in flaxseed was not until 1956 and it was not until 1980 before researchers reported that the level of lignans in the body of patients with breast cancer were lower than tumour free patients.

It was also noted that vegetarians had higher concentrations of lignan substances than was in omnivores.  There are two general types of lignans - those found in plants and those found in animals and humans or mammalian lignans. When plant lignan SDG from flaxseed is ingested, it is converted in the colon by friendly bacteria to mammalian lignans - enterodial (ED) and enterolactone (EL).

Thus flaxseed lignan SDG is a precursor to mammalian lignans ED and EL.   Lignans have numerous biological properties that make them unique and very useful in promoting health and combating various diseases.

These amazing lignan compounds have shown such extraordinary potential that the National Cancer Institute (US) has studied them for their cancer preventative properties. SDG lignan not only has anti-cancer properties, it is also anti-viral, anti-bacteria and anti-fungal. It is also a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to enhance the immune system functioning being effective against many different diseases.

  A major reason why lignans provide certain health benefits is because they are considered to be "phytoestrogens". They are plant chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen. Studies have shown that individuals who consume more lignan-containing foods have lower incidence of breast and colon cancers due to this phytoestrogen effect.   

The mounting scientific evidence shows how important it is to consume a lignan-rich diet. Now SDG from flaxseed can be extracted in a pure form naturally making it one of nature's most beneficial and powerful nutraceuticals.

  Flaxseed lignan is a natural food supplement extracted from a whole food just like rice bran, lecithin or beta-carotene. It is a safe and natural means to prevent or combat a host of health issues. Studies involving consumption of 50 gm of flaxseed a day or high doses of 99% pure SDG extracts posed no health problems in both animal or humans.

  Another test was conducted to determine the influence of consuming 50 gm of flaxseed a day or 4 weeks in young healthy adults. This would be equivalent to 1 gm or SDG per day. Plasma LDL cholesterol was reduced by up to 8%, and total urinary lignan excretion was increased more than five fold.

Antioxidant vitamins were not significantly affected. Bowel movement per week increased by up to 30%. This study revealed no adverse effects from high consumption of flaxseed. Other studies done to determine if flax lignan SDG or its mammalian lignans possessed any genotoxic potential (causing chromosome abnormalities).

The conclusion, as indicated earlier, was that the lignans were devoid of any genotoxic potential.  

Source of article: Flaxseed Lignan - The Power of SDG in Promoting Health  By: Charles A. Weisman and Dr. Dan Junker.