David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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 An average pear contains about four grams of fiber, much of which is made up of soluble pectins and lignans. It is also packed with powerful phytochemical antioxidants.
Home Remedies
Pears have been used throughout history for a variety of health challenges such as digestive disorders and spasms, and for reducing fevers. Topically, pear fruit has been used as an astringent.
Throw Me a Lifesaver!
REDUCED COUGH WITH PHLEGM: A study conducted in Singapore found an association between increased dietary fiber from fruit and reduced risk of certain types of lung disease. |
Elaine Magee
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 To Reduce Effects of LDL Cholesterol: þGarlic + onions, which contain organosulfur phytochemicals þOat phytochemicals + vitamin C þAlmond skin + vitamins C and E þVitamin C and E + beta-carotene þCitrus extracts + vitamin C in citrus þSoy protein þSoy (phytoestrogens) + vitamin C in citrus þGround flaxseed (highest food source for lignans) þRed wine (polyphenols) þGrapefruit (part of a low-fat heart-healthy diet) þGreen tea
To Reduce LDL Blood Levels: þThe Portfolio plan (may reduce LDL by 30 percent) þNuts þGround flaxseed
(continued on page 210)
Putting Synergy Super Foods to the Test! |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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 MacRae WD, Towers GHN, Biological activities of lignans. In: PH 23(6): 1207-1220. 1984.
Stoll A et al, (1954) J Am Chem Soc 76:5004 et 6431. Stoll A et al, (1955) J Am. Chem Soc 77:1710. Wartburg A et al, (1957) Helv Chim. Acta 40:1331. Further information in:
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fiir Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-Ges. Stuttgart 1997.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde. 1-3, Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 The increase in lignans from these seeds aids in providing fiber as well as an oil that helps in the anti-inflammatory pathway. Seasoning with fucus (a seaweed) helps stimulate T cell production and absorb toxins.62
Foods to omit or decrease include sugar, caffeine, egg yolks, poultry, red meat, and alcohol. Sugar is known to increase estrogen levels in men; presumably the effect is similar in women.63 Endometriosis is found to be correlated with caffeine consumption. Women consuming 5,000 to 7,000 mg of caffeine per month had a 1. |
Ron Garner
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 Flax seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids, lignans (known for their anti-cancer properties), all the amino acids essential to health, as well as soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, both of which are so important for colon health. They also contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals. However, in order to obtain the nutritional benefits that flax seeds offer, they must be ground before they are eaten because their tough outer shells are not digestible. Dry flax seed is easily ground using a coffee grinder or a blender. |
Elaine Magee
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| Flaxseed contains 75 to 800 times more lignans (a plant-based form of estrogen) than other plant foods do. y Flaxseed contains about 40 percent oil, 57 percent of which is plant-based omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid).
/ A small amount of the omega-3s in flaxseed can be metabolized into the same form found in fish (EPA and DHA). Omega-3s, especially those found in fish, may help decrease blood clotting, decrease abnormal heart rhythms, reduce triglycerides, and promote normal blood pressure. There is also some evidence that plant omega-3s lower heart disease risk in their own right. |
| They also found that the breakdown products of dietary lignans may be helpful for people with colorectal adenomas (growths in the colon and rectum that are considered potential precursors for colorectal cancer). The higher the blood level of the lignan breakdown metabolites (enterodiol and enterolactone), the greater the benefit, the researchers noted.
For breast cancer patients, the news on flax also sounds promising. |
| Food sources of lignans besides ground flaxseed include whole grain cereals, berries, vegetables, and fruits in general. At the level of 1 to 2 tablespoons
How to Add In Flax
Here's a helpful handful of nutrition-boosting add-in ingredients and tips. Go forth and boost your health!
/ Add ground flaxseed to smoothies (this is my favorite way to add flaxseed). / Add it to hot or cold breakfast cereals.
/ Add it to homemade muffins and breads. Replace no more than V4 cup of every cup of flour called for with ground flaxseed.
/ Sprinkle it on yogurt or cottage cheese. |
| After another lab study analyzing the breakdown products from the lignans in flaxseed in combination with the primary isoflavone in soy (called genistein), flaxseed researcher Lilian Thompson, PhD, from the University of Toronto, concluded that for postmenopausal women with low estrogen levels, the combination of soy and flaxseed may be more beneficial than soy alone in controlling breast cancer growth. In this case, the two are better than one!
Tofu with tea tames tumors. People in Asian countries tend to eat soy products and drink tea on a regular basis. |
| STIR IN A SPOONFUL OF GROUND FLAXSEED
Ground flaxseed seems to have synergy within itself on many levels, through fiber, lignans (plant estrogens), and plant omega-3s. But the seed may have synergy with several other foods (like fish omega-3s and soy), and these are just the ones we know about. Keep in mind, too, that small amounts of plant omega-3s are converted by the body into the long-chain omega-3s (normally found in fish). |
J. Douglas Bremner
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 Both flaxseed and high-lignan flaxseed oil are rich in lignans, which can help normalize estrogen levels. Fennel, celery, parsley, and all legumes are excellent sources of phytoestrogens (natural estrogens found in plants).
Hot flashes can be treated with several commonsense noninvasive approaches. Keep cool. Drink ice water throughout the day. Even a slight increase in your body's core temperature can trigger a hot flash. If you dress in layers you can remove and add clothing as your feelings of warmth rise and fall. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Flaxseed has the highest concentration of the phyto-estrogen lignans of any other food. The lignans are removed during conversion to oil, so seeds are the only true source.
Garlic Bulb. Phytochemicals: Allicin, beta-
(Allium sativa) carotene, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, diallyl-disulfide, ferulic acid, geraniol, kaempferol, linalool, oleanolic acid, p-coumaric acid, phloroglucinol, phytic acid, quercetin, rutin, s-allyl-cysteine, saponin, sinapic acid, stigmasterol. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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| Other Names: Guaiacum, Lignum Vitae, Pockwood
ACTION AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Triterpene saponins: aglycone oleanolic acid
Resin: containing, among others, the lignans (-)-guajaretic acid, dihydroguajaretic acid, guajacin
Isoguajacin: alpha-guajaconic acid, tetrofuroguajacine A and B
Volatile oil: chief components sesquiterpene alcohols; such as guajole with steam distillate changing over into guajazulene
EFFECTS
Guaiacum officinale is fungistatic.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
¦ Rheumatism
Guaiac is used as supportive therapy for rheumatic complaints. |
| Greger H, Hofer O, New unsymmetrically substituted tetrahydrofuran lignans from Artemisia absinthium. In: Tetrahedron 36(24):3551. 1980.
Greger H, (1978) Phytochemistry 17:806.
Hoffman B, Herrmann K, (1982) Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 174 (3):211.
Kasimov Ah Z et al., (Anabsin-a new diguaianolide from Artemisia absinthium). In: Khim Prid Soed 4:495. 1979.
Kasymov SZ et al., (1979) Khim Prir Soed 5:658.
Kennedy Al et al., Volatile oils from normal and transformed roots of Artemisia absinthium. In: PH 32:1449. 1993.
Kinloch JD, (1971) Practitioner 206:44.
Lemberkovics E et al. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Constituents: lignans such as schisandrin B, gomisans, and schisandrol A are considered to be active constituents of schisandra. The berries also contain essential oils and vitamin C.
History/Ethnobotany
The Chinese name for schisandra is wu wei zi, which means "five flavors fruit." According to Chinese medical traditions, schisandra berries have
Schisandra
(Russian drawing, 1972, collection of David Winston) all five flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty) recognized in tha, tradition. |
Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey
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 Soybeans and many products made from soy, such as tofu, are rich in a class of phytoestrogens known as isoflavones (other classes of phytoestrogens include the coumestans and lignans). The main isoflavones found in soy include genistein, daidzein, and glycitein [227, 228]. Although a few epidemiologic studies assessed the intake of dietary phytoestrogens, particularly isoflavones, and found inverse associations with prostate cancer risk [62, 224, 229, 230], analytical epidemiologic data on this topic are limited [231]. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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| Silicic acid (1%): partially water-soluble
Tannins
Hydroxycoumarins: umbelliferone, scopoletin Lignans: aviculin
EFFECTS
Knotweed has astringent properties and is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
¦ Cough/bronchitis
¦ Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx
The herb is used as a mild catarrh of the respiratory tract for inflammatory changes to the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. |
Gabriel Cousens
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 Just 10 grams, or about one to two teaspoons of flax seed oil per day, raises levels of the lignans significantly.
A third advantage of the flax seed oil over fish oil is that fish and fish oil are high in cholesterol. Three and one-half ounces of cod liver oil contain 570 milligrams of cholesterol, which equals the amount found in two egg yolks.
The fourth advantage of flax seed oil over fish oil is the fact that fish are often high in toxic residues because they live in polluted waters. |
Mike Adams
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 Healing supplements for Arthritis
***** evening primrose oil ***** spirulina ***** cod liver oil
Products to consider for Arthritis:
<•* Arthro Max or the Super EPA / DHA with Sesame lignans 8c Olive Fruit Extract (www. LEF.org)
Zyflamend or Oregano Force products (www.NewChapter.info) «~ Aquazon (http://AmazonDreams.AmazonHerb.net) Astaxanthin and Bioastin (www.Nutrex-Hawaii.com)
GCW Antioxidant Defense System RED (www.GoodCauseWellness.com) *" Baseline Nutritionals Proteolytic Enzymes (www.BaselineNutritionals. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Flaxseeds contain a phytonutrient known as lignans, which balance estrogen levels.
Drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours to keep fluid moving through the urinary tract. everal studies have demonstrated that rye pollen extract improves the symptoms of chronic prostatitis, including prostate pain. One study published in the British Journal of Urology looked at the effects of a commercial rye pollen extract and ninety men with chronic prostatitis. These men were given 1 tablet three times daily for six months. |
| Flaxseeds contain a phytonutrient known as lignans, which balance estrogen levels.
Drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours to keep fluid moving through the urinary tract.
Food to Avoid
Eliminate all fats that are saturated hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. These fats lead to inflammation and have been closely linked with several prostate disorders.
Sugar wreaks havoc on hormone levels and worsens inflammation. Radically restrict your consumption of refined sugar, or, better yet, banish it from your diet altogether. |
Leslie Taylor, ND
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 Sangre de grado resin or sap is a storehouse of phytochemicals, including proanthocyanidins (antioxidants), simple phenols, diterpenes, phytosterols, and biologically active alkaloids and lignans. Scientists have attributed many of the biologically active properties of the sap (especially its wound-healing capacity) to two main "active" constituents: an alkaloid named taspine, and a lignan named dimethylcedrusine.
Of course, botanists, herbalists, and naturopaths would disagree with such reductionist conclusions (and often do); in this particular case, the matter is actually proven by science. |
| The root of manaca contains coumarins, alkaloids, lignans and sapogenins.2^ Active constituents include two alkaloids, manaceine and manacine, as well as scopo-letin and aesculetin (types of coumarin chemicals). Manaceine and manacine are thought to be responsible for stimulating the lymphatic system, while aesculetin has demonstrated pain-relieving, liver detoxification, and anti-inflammatory activities in laboratory tests. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
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 The champions of the nut and seed world, flaxseeds are our richest known source of lignans (potent anticarcinogens), with over 100 times the lignans of most other plant foods. They also boast the highest alpha-linolenic acid content of any food?7 percent of the fat in flaxseeds is omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Like other nuts and seeds, flaxseeds also contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytic acids, and tocotrienols (a type of vitamin E). þGreen tea. |
Mike Adams
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| Super EPA / DHA with Sesame lignans & Olive Fruit Extract (www.LEF.org) GCW Antioxidant Defense System PURPLE (www.GoodCauseWellness.com)
•* Spirulina (www.Cyanotech.com)
Bad Breath / Halitosis
Bad breath (halitosis) is an embarrassing problem that can often be easily solved with a few correcting actions. First, if you suffer from halitosis it is important that you visit a natural dentist to have your teeth cleaned and checked for cavities. Often, bad breath is caused by cavities or gum disease and can be easily corrected by repairing the health of your teeth. |
Jonathan Goodman ND
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 You may recall that flaxseed is rich in ALA, along with soluble fiber and chemical compounds called lignans. In fact, flaxseed contains more lignans than any other food. Scientists have learned that lignans weakly mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. By competing with the body's more potent estrogens at cell binding sites, they essentially lessen these estrogens' effects. This is important because estrogen acts as a fuel for some types of tumors, especially some breast tumors.
Flaxseed contains a lignan called secoisolariciresinol diglu-coside, or SDG. |
Leslie Taylor, ND
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| Many of the "active" constituents are attributed to biologically active lignans, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, ellag-itannins, and phenylpropanoids found in the leaf, stem, and root of the plant. Common lipids, sterols, and flavonols also occur in the plant. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| The seed is a fantastic source of protein (especially rich in methionine and tryptophan), lignans, fiber, monounsaturated fats, vitamins Bl and B2, minerals such as copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium, and phytic acid. Sesame seeds are low in carbohydrates and cholesterol-free. One-third cup of shelled sesame seeds yields 280 calories, 8 grams of protein, 23 grams of fat, and 6 grams of carbohydrate.
The fat in sesame seeds is 38 percent monounsaturated and 44 percent polyunsaturated, which equals 82 percent unsaturated fatty acids. The average oil content of the seed is 50 percent. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.
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| They contain lignans, which are phytonutrients that have estrogen-balancing properties and that lower cholesterol. Take each serving with 10 ounces of water.
Drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours. You'll flush out toxins and replace fluid you may have lost during hot flashes.
Food to Avoid
To protect yourself against heart disease, reduce red meat and other sources of saturated fat from your diet. Eat hormone-free animal products to avoid causing a hormone imbalance.
Carbonated drinks also deplete calcium from your body, so you should avoid them. |
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