Lignans are a chemical compound most often found in the cell walls of plants, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian. Lignans like secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, SDG, which is most commonly found in flax seed, is converted into metabolites that can be absorbed by your body and are beneficial for reducing acne, breast cancer, osteoporosis and even help improve brain function, according to Sahelian.
Reduction of Sebum
Many teens see an increase in acne as a result of their skin producing more oils, like sebum, according to the European magazine "Wellness Foods." Whether from stress, diet, genetics or hormones, the production of oils and sebum by the skin is often the result of higher levels of a form of testosterone, which is reduced by the ingestion of lignans, the magazine notes, saying "the complex mechanism of flax lignans in the testosterone cycle can help to reduce sebum production and keep skin clear and less sensitive to develop acne."
Hormone-Related Acne
Hormones play a major role in the production of acne on your body. According to AlbertParkNaturopathy.com, eating a diet high in lignans can help decrease the production of a hormonal enzyme that helps convert naturally-occurring testosterone to DHT, a more potent form of the hormone. According to dietician Jocelyn Mathern of the Flax Lignan Information Bureau, a high level of DHT in the body results in decreased size of hair follicles, which helps stimulate the formation of acne.
Foods High In Lignans
Sahelian reports that high levels of lignans can be found in fruits and vegetables, but flax seed contains hundreds of times more lignans than other foods. According to Mathern, flax seed contains more than 370,000 mcg of lignans per 100 g of dry weight, compared to just over 3,000 mcg found in a banana. Lignans can also be found in grains like whole grain cereals, rye, beans and nuts. Berries like strawberries, cranberries and raspberries also contain lignans, although the levels of these foods are much lower than those found in flax seed. Check with your doctor or nutritionist to determine the levels of lignans that are right for you.
