1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Breast Cancer

Lignan

By , About.com Guide

Updated November 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: A lignan is a phytochemical (plant-based substance) that can act like human estrogen. Lignans have antioxidant and anticancer properties.
Pronunciation: LIG-nun
Common Misspellings: lignin
Examples:
Flax seed and sesame seed are the best dietary sources of lignans, but lignans can also be found in grains, such as wheat, oats, rye and barley. Some vegetables also contain lignans and those are broccoli, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, most beans and some kinds of berries.
Explore Breast Cancer
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Breast Cancer
  4. Decode Medical Terms
  5. M - N - O - P Terms
  6. Lignan – Phytochemical Antioxidant Anticancer - Definition of Lignan>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.