Lignans and Human Health
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Vol. 44 (5-6), 483-525
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10408360701612942
Abstract
This review focuses on the possible role in human health of the consumption of lignan-rich foods. Most of the plant lignans in human foods are converted by the intestinal microflora in the upper part of the large bowel to enterolactone and enterodiol, called mammalian or enterolignans. The protective role of these compounds, particularly in chronic Western diseases, is discussed. Evidence suggests that fiber- and lignan-rich whole-grain cereals, beans, berries, nuts, and various seeds are the main protective foods. Many factors, in addition to diet, such as intestinal microflora, smoking, antibiotics, and obesity affect circulating lignan levels in the body. Lignan-rich diets may be beneficial, particularly if consumed for life. Experimental evidence in animals has shown clear anticarcinogenic effects of flaxseed or pure lignans in many types of cancer. Many epidemiological results are controversial, partly because the determinants of plasma enterolactone are very different in different countries. The source of the lignans seems to play a role because other factors in the food obviously participate in the protective effects. The results are promising, but much work is still needed in this area of medicine.This publication has 260 references indexed in Scilit:
- Application of coulometric electrode array detection to the analysis of isoflavonoids and lignansJournal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2006
- Determination of plant and enterolignans in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detectionJournal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2006
- Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Risk of Invasive Breast CancerJAMA, 2006
- Mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol, alone and in combination with the isoflavone genistein, do not promote the growth of MCF‐7 xenografts in ovariectomized athymic nude miceInternational Journal of Cancer, 2005
- Consumption of Vegetables and Fruits and Risk of Breast CancerJAMA, 2005
- 2,6-Bis((3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-methylene)cyclohexanone (BDHPC)-Induced Apoptosis and p53-Independent Growth Inhibition: Synergism with GenisteinBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1997
- Bioflavonoid interaction with rat uterine type ii binding sites and cell growth inhibitionJournal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1988
- Effect of dietary components, including lignans and phytoestrogens, on enterohepatic circulation and liver metabolism of estrogens and on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)Journal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1987
- Determination of urinary lignans and phytoestrogen metabolites, potential antiestrogens and anticarcinogens, in urine of women on various habitual dietsJournal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1986
- Progesterone and dexamethasone antagonism of uterine growth: A role for a second nuclear binding site for estradiol in estrogen actionThe Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1981