What are Lignans and How can Lignans Boost Your Health?

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by: Darrell Miller
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Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 Time: 1:52 PM
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Lignans are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants, of special note for their positive effects on health of the human body. They are biomolecular substances called polyphenols, and thus display antioxidant activities. Throughout the plant kingdom they are known for their protective measures against pathogenic stimuli such as ultraviolet rays. They are one of the organic compounds from plants that are believed to increase the length of life of human beings.

There are a number of readily available food source for lignans, but not all provide the dietary amounts sufficient for use by the human body. Precursors of lignans in use by the human body are abundant in whole grains, notably rye, wheat, oat, and barley. The two sources identified to have high concentrations of precursors of lignans are flax seed and sesame seed. Other known sources are berries, beans, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, and soybeans.

Phytochemicals

Every organic substance coming from plants that are believed to have an effect on the human body is classified as phytochemicals, for example beta carotene from carrots. There is still not much evidence on how essential all phytochemicals identified are to the human body, and the scientific community are as yet inconclusive as to whether to confer these substances status at par with vitamins and minerals. One thing is for sure: phytochemicals like lignans are beneficial at adequate levels.

Polyphenols

Many phytochemicals are polyphenols, lignans being one of them. The antioxidant properties of polyphenols have been the subject of numerous studies in the race to fight a cure for cancer in recent years. In addition, polyphenols display well documented activities against harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans, explaining popularity of their food sources, tea for instance.

Antioxidants

How do lignans act as antioxidants exactly?

The human body deploys substances such as free radicals to attack invasive pathogens. Being highly reactive to oxygen, free radicals are toxic to the body when not properly disposed of. With that, just when the pathogens are cleared out, agents that deactivate free radicals are released, thereby stopping them from damaging healthy structures at the cellular level.

There are factors that render the body unable to manage free radicals. Conditions that the body considers not normal, such as continued exposure to stress, may incapacitate some of its functions. Keep in mind that free radicals multiple at a very fast rate, and changes the chemical makeup of anything that's not a free radical, including DNA, practically destroying everything around them.

This is when lignans and other known polyphenols come to our defense. The agents that are supposed to take care of free radicals in the human body are not always effective, giving rise to more serious diseases such as the abnormal proliferation of cells that may become malignant. With the unending fatigue the human body is subjected to, it is prudent to consider supplementation of proven antioxidants such as lignans today.

Lignans are available in capsule and liquid forms at your local or internet vitamin store. Always choose name brands like Source Naturals and Barleans to ensure you purchase a high quality lignan supplement.

About the Author

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