Compound Monograph
Lariciresinol
Lariciresinol is a dietary lignan that gut bacteria convert into the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol.
Classification
Lariciresinol is a lignan, part of the phenolics class. Antioxidant compounds built around one or more phenol rings — the flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, coumarins, and pigments behind much of a plant's protective chemistry.
Where Does It Come From? (4)
Lariciresinol is a naturally occurring lignan, found in Giant river reed, Seeds, grains, and many vegetables and 2 other sources. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
Lariciresinol is a plant lignan present in a wide variety of seeds, grains, vegetables and other plant foods. Together with related dietary lignans such as secoisolariciresinol, it is metabolised by the gut microbiota into the “mammalian lignans” enterolactone and enterodiol, which have weak estrogen-like activity. For this reason lariciresinol contributes to the lignan content used when assessing phytoestrogen intake from the diet. Specific human health effects of lariciresinol alone are not well established.
Toxicity & Safety
As a normal component of a plant-based diet, lariciresinol is regarded as low in toxicity at the levels found in foods. It has not been characterised in detail as an isolated supplement.