Flax Lignans and Heart Health
Flax Lignans and Heart Health
Purpose: To demonstrate the efficacy of Beneflax™ flaxseed lignan (SDG) concentrate to lower
 serum cholesterol levels.

 Background: Flaxseed has been studied for various health benefits in humans, including
 prostate health, glucose control, and cardiovascular health. Cholesterol levels and high
 blood pressure are known to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Whole flaxseed has
 had variable effects on serum lipid levels, perhaps a consequence of variations in the
 amounts of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) found in different flax cultivars, making
 the study of this bioactive compound difficult.

 Hypothesis: Flaxseed lignan (SDG) extract (Beneflax) significantly lowers total and LDL
 cholesterol. Flaxseed lignans also lower blood pressure and fasting glucose levels.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Men, 40-65 yrs/old, postmenopausal women 50-65 yrs/old not > 5 yrs post menopause. All
 subjects were hypercholesterolemic with either total cholesterol >240 mg/dl and < 320
 mg/dL or LDL cholesterol >140 mg/dl and <190 mg/dl at the screening visit.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Excluded subjects included diabetics, people being actively treated with niacins,
 fibrates, statins, insulin, ACE inhibitors or other cholesterol/ blood pressure
 pharmaceutical treatments, people who consumed large amounts of soy, flax, rye breads,
 pumpkin seeds, hydrolyzed milk products, sterols, and/or berries
 (strawberries/blueberries) or supplements aimed at cholesterol reduction such as
 spruce lignans, sytrinol (poly methoxylated flavanols), polycosinols, people consuming
 flaxseed on a regular basis.