Flaxseed Extract

Flaxseed Extract is very different from flaxseed oil, although they do have some components in common. Flaxseed extract is primarily composed of Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is one of a class of substances called lignans. The particular lignan complex made from flaxseed extract has numerous benefits to the human body. Flaxseed extract is very good at lowering the level of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream, without lowering the level of HDL or having any of the side effects of such drugs as statins. Flaxseed extract lignans are also strongly antioxidant, which is also relevant to cholesterol because it is oxidised cholesterol that does the damage. Flaxseed lignans also break down into sterols in the body, which have a normalising effect on hormone levels especially the sex hormones such as oestrogen. This means that flaxseed extract is beneficial in the case of such hormone-related problems as PMT and menopausal hot flushes.
Flaxseed extract also protects against cancer, particularly against hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancers. This is probably because of its effect on the levels and activity of sex hormones. Flaxseed extract also protects against problems related to the testosterone breakdown product called dihydrotestosterone, which include baldness and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Flaxseed extract also helps keep the intestines, particularly the large intestine, in good condition because lignan is a type of fibre, and flaxseed extract helps the maintenance of the right balance of types of bacteria in the intestines as well.
Flaxseed extract has some of the effects of flaxseed itself, although it is not as high in oil as the seed is, and is much easier to absorb the nutrients from flaxseed extract than from the seed.
Flaxseed extract is thus very useful as part of a programme of nutritional and herbal supplements for men and women of all ages.