Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside -- or SDG -- is a type of phytochemical, or plant chemical. It is found in flax, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds. SDG may help boost your health. However, talk to your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with SDG.
Cardiovascular Health
Taking SDG may help keep your heart healthy. For one, it has cholesterol- and blood-pressure-lowering effects, according to an article published in 2010 in the "British Journal of Nutrition." It has also been found to reduce oxidative stress on the heart, the authors discuss. Oxidation, although a natural part of cellular metabolism, leads to the production of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable compounds that can attach to and harm or destroy healthy heart cells. A specific dose is difficult suggest because the clinical study procedures have varied across studies. However, looking at the evidence as a whole, 500 mg of SDG taken for approximately 8 weeks appears to be needed to benefit heart health, the authors mention.
Antioxidant
SDG is an antioxidant, according to the 2010 article in the "British Journal of Nutrition." An antioxidant is something that can protect the cells of your body from free radical damage. Free radicals are produced naturally as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. However, they can bind to healthy cells and cause harm. The antioxidant effect of SDG may provide defense against cancer cells from thriving, as the authors explain.
Breast Tumors
Scientific evidence shows that SDG may have breast-cancer-fighting potential. In a study published in November 2009 in "The Journal of Nutrition," SDG stopped the spread of cancer in human breast cells implanted in mice. SDG worked by preventing signaling cells from sending signals to produce more cancerous cells. It also led to apoptosis, meaning it was able to kill infected cells.
Hepatic Lipids
Evidence suggests that SDG may have liver-protective effects. Specifically, it may help keep the liver free from excess fats. Hyperlipidemia is a condition where too many fats are detected in the bloodstream. In a study of hyperlipidemic rats published in 2009 in the "British Journal of Nutrition," SDG stopped the accumulation of fats in the liver and decreased LDL, or the "bad cholesterol," in rats.
References
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Health Effects with Consumption of the Flax Lignan Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside; Jennifer L. Adolphe, et al.; 2010
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Flaxseed and Pure Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside, but Not Flaxseed Hull, Reduce Human Breast Tumor Growth (MCF-7) in Athymic Mice; Jianmin Chen, et al.; November 2009
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Effects of the Flaxseed Lignans Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside and its Aglycone on Serum and Hepatic Lipids in Hyperlipidaemic Rats; M. A. Felmlee, et al.; 2009
