Do you toss and turn in bed, have hot flushes and can’t quite control your mood? Many women complain of such complaints during the menopause. Did you know that in many cases you may be able to control these menopausal symptoms with linseed and helpful tips?
What are lignans and in which plants do they work?
Lignans are secondary plant substances. These plant-based substances do not contain any nutritional value such as carbohydrates, protein or sugar, but they are said to contain a lot of added value. Lignans belong to the structural components of a plant, they control plant growth and defense against enemies.
We ingest lignans with cereal-like and particularly high-fiber foods. Linseed is particularly rich in lignans, but sunflower seeds, linseed oil, monk’s pepper, sesame seeds and olives also contain lignans.
What effects do lignans have during the menopause?
Like isoflavones, lignans are phytoestrogens. Intestinal bacteria break down the lignans and change their structure. The lignans from linseed or other foods are thus converted into estrogen-active enterodiol and enterolactone in the intestine. They are very similar in structure to female hormones, more precisely to the body’s own oestrogen, and can dock onto the estrogen receptors. There they act as modulators.
- Experts have found that lignans can also have an effect on hormone-related cancers such as prostate or breast cancer in animal experiments. Because the metabolites of lignans interact with hormone receptors, these types of cancer are said to be more susceptible to a possible anti-cancer effect. After reviewing several studies, it was concluded that regular consumption of flaxseed can support health and could reduce the risk of breast cancer and mortality by 20% to 30%.
- Although they only have a fraction of the effect of the body’s own oestrogens, a diet rich in phytoestrogens can help with menopausal symptoms.
- They should also have a positive effect on fat metabolism.
- As antioxidants, they can protect cells.
- Lignans are also said to bind to certain receptors in the brain that control the sleep-wake rhythm and are therefore said to promote sleep. People who sleep well are also in a better mood and perform better. Incidentally, valerian also contains the much-vaunted lignans.
How can phytoestrogens develop their effect in food supplements?
If you want to get your symptoms and complaints under control during the menopause, you can also use phytopreparations.
In addition to the all-important lignans, medpro’s IMUSAN contains more than 14 other powerful plant extracts, all of which can have a positive effect on (women’s) health. The optimal combination of high-quality plant substances was developed according to the proven rules of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). IMUSAN can thus support health in several ways. IMUSAN contains, among other things:
- NPE® green tea extract: It is said to have a whole range of positive effects. As a powerful antioxidant, it is said to be able to protect the cells.
- Pyrola rotundifolia extract: The round-leaved wintergreen has already been used in TCM to treat high blood pressure, rheumatic pain or as an accompanying therapy for cancer.
- Reishi extract: The medicinal mushroom is said to contain hundreds of bioactive compounds with known medical benefits. It is said to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and anxiety-relieving properties.
- Agrimony extract: It can have a variety of positive effects, the leaves are rich in vitamin K.
- Corydalis rootstock extract: The plant contains many different alkaloids that have many positive properties.
- Pink spider lily extract: Its alkaloids have a wide range of positive properties.
- Stephania sinica extract: More than 150 alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, steroids, terpenoids and coumarins have been isolated from this plant.
Would you like more information on the highly effective phytopreparations from medpro? Then contact our network of experts right away.