Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: March 9, 2014
Publication Date: May 1, 2014
Citation: Park, J.B. 2014. Flaxseed lignan and visceral obesity: a closer look at its chemical properties, absorption, metabolism, bioavailability and effects on visceral fat, lipid profile, systemic inflammation and hypertension. In: Watson, R.R., Academic Press. Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Abdominal Obesity. 1st edition. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. p317-328. Interpretive Summary: Linum usitatissimum (Flax) is an important flowering crop cultivated world-wide. Flax products have been traditionally used for treating several human chronic diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, and related conditions. Although flaxseeds contain various phytochemicals, they contain a relatively high amount of lignans such as secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) which has been reported to have numerous biological activities and health benefits on human diseases including obesity. Therefore, in this book chapter, potential effects of SDG lignan on obesity are reviewed via closely looking into the chemical properties, absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability of SDG lignan, as well as its effects on body weight, visceral fat, lipid profiles, systemic inflammation and blood pressure. The overall aim of this review is to provide researchers in nutrition, molecular biology, and medicinal fields scientific information about potential effects of SDG lignan on obesity and its related conditions.
Technical Abstract: Linum usitatissimum (Flax) is an important flowering crop plant cultivated world-wide. Particularly, flaxseeds have been cherished as a valuable agricultural commodity for many years, because they contain fiber, protein, oil, lignan and others. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is a major lignan found in flaxseeds, with numerous biological activities and health benefits on human diseases. Traditionally, flaxseed-related products have been used for treating several human illnesses and currently, there are many flaxseed-related products available in the market. Lately, SDG lignan-enriched flaxseed powder is introduced as a dietary ingredient in the market. Obesity is a serious health condition, a significant risk factor for developing several chronic diseases. Although many physiological changes occur in obesity, visceral obesity is a hallmark physical change, strongly associated with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney diseases, and others. In this chapter, potential effects of SDG lignan on visceral obesity are reviewed in relationship to its chemical properties, absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability as well as its potential effects on body weight, visceral fat, lipid profiles, systemic inflammation and blood pressure. The data in this review cautiously suggest that the SDG lignan may provide beneficial effects on obesity via reducing weight and fat accumulation, improving the lipid profile, and lowering blood pressure. However, more future investigations may be required to fully conclude its effects on obesity in humans.