Flaxseed Lignan Complex Consumption Causes Increased Plasma Enterolactone and Decreased HbA1C and Plasma C-Reactive Protein in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Increased inflammation (as measured by elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and elevated HbA1C are linked in type 2 diabetes (T2D) progression. The objective was to test the novel hypothesis that in older T2D patients, flaxseed lignan complex (FLC; containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside [SDG]) consumption would decrease HbA1C and plasma CRP, resulting in plasma CRP and HbA1C being significantly negatively correlated with elevated plasma enterolactone (ENL; an intestinal bacterial metabolite of SDG). ENL, but not SDG, undergoes intestinal absorption.