Secoisolariciresinol is anorganic compound. It is classified as alignan, i.e., a type ofphenylpropanoid. It is present in some cereals, such asrye, and together withmatairesinol has attracted much attention for its beneficial nutritional effects.[1]
The water extract ofsilver fir wood contains more than 5% of secoisolariciresinol.[2] It is also present in nettle brew.[3] Its content inflaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) was found to be 0.3%,[4] which is the highest known content in food.
In the intestine the gut microflora can form secoisolariciresinol from thesecoisolariciresinol diglucoside and it can then be further transformed into theenterolignanenterodiol. Epidemiological studies showed associations between secoisolariciresinol intake and decreased risk ofcardiovascular disease are promising, but they are yet not well established, perhaps due to low lignan intakes in habitual Western diets. At the higher doses used in intervention studies, associations were more evident.[5][6]
^Tavčar Benković, Eva; Žigon, Dušan; Mihailović, Vladimir; Petelinc, Tanja; Jamnik, Polona; Kreft, Samo (2017). "Identification, in vitro and in vivo Antioxidant Activity, and Gastrointestinal Stability of Lignans from Silver Fir (Abies alba) Wood Extract".Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology.37 (6): 467.doi:10.1080/02773813.2017.1340958.S2CID90833072.
^Francišković, Marina; Gonzalez-Pérez, Raquel; Orčić, Dejan; Sánchez de Medina, Fermín; Martínez-Augustin, Olga; Svirčev, Emilija; Simin, Nataša; Mimica-Dukić, Neda (August 2017). "Chemical Composition and Immuno-Modulatory Effects of Urtica dioica L. (Stinging Nettle) Extracts".Phytotherapy Research.31 (8):1183–1191.doi:10.1002/ptr.5836.ISSN1099-1573.PMID28544187.S2CID33903986.
