Plant Lignans Lower Womens BMI

QUÉBEC, Canada—Researchers from a recent study concluded women with higher plant-lignan intake had a better metabolic profile, including higher insulin sensitivity and lower adiposity measures (Br J Nutr. 2009) (DOI:10.1017/S0007114508162092). The study compared the metabolic profile of postmenopausal women consuming various amounts of dietary lignans. Phyto-oestrogen intake was assessed using a three-day dietary record analyzed with a Canadian food phyto-oestrogen content data table in 115 postmenopausal women. Plasma enterolactone (ENL), the major biologically active metabolite of dietary lignans, was determined by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. Women in the high dietary lignan intake subgroup (n=29) had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and total body fat mass, as well as a better glucose disposal rate (GDR; P<0.05), compared with women in the low-lignan intake subgroup (n=28). The majority of women with the highest dietary lignan intake were also in the highest quartile of plasma ENL (59 percent). Women in the highest ENL quartile had a significantly lower BMI, total body fat mass, two-hour postload glycaemia and a higher GDR compared with women in the lowest ENL quartile.