Studies on flaxseed intake have shown that two tablespoons of ground flax a day for three months can lower LDL cholesterol by anywhere from 9 to 18 percent.
Added bonus? The lignans (specific plant compounds) in ground flax are highly anti-inflammatory. Remember, inflammation at the cellular level is believed to be one of the chief causes behind a litany of degenerative diseases.
Flaxseed offers a particular lignan known as SDG (secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, to be exact), which helps lower the levels of oxidative stress in blood vessels. In laymen’s terms: SDG is a powerful tool against the development of atherosclerosis.
Recent — and very promising! — studies appear to show that SDG also helps maintain steady blood glucose levels.
