t may now become easier to lower down cholesterol levels in men with the consumption of flaxseeds, suggests a study.

A recent study conducted by the researchers of Iowa State University on the effects of flaxseed lignin in 90 people. These people were diagnosed with high cholesterol. The study results showed that consumption of at least 150 milligrams of flaxseed lignans every day helped in decreasing bad cholesterols in men only by 10 percent over the three months that they were given the flaxseeds. This was not seen in case of women.

Suzanne Hendrich, professor in food science and human nutrition from Iowa State University admitted that the decreased level of cholesterol is less than expected in comparison to the usual cholesterol lowering drugs (approximately 10 to 20 percent for three months, depending on the individual). However, flaxseeds can still become a natural option for lowering cholesterol for some men.

A rich of fiber, flaxseeds help in lowering down cholesterol levels. Flaxseeds are rich in B vitamins, magnesium and manganese. These seeds also contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 which protects against inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation can cause many chronic disorders like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and some forms of cancer.

Many people may prefer having flaxseeds instead of drugs to maintain their cholesterol level and health.