Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG)
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) (Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 780 participants, researched for Cardiovascular Health, Blood Sugar Control, Anti-cancer Activity and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular Health
ModerateBlood Sugar Control
ModerateAnti-cancer Activity
ModerateAntioxidant Activity
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate purified SDG supplementation on lipid profiles and arterial stiffness
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate purified SDG supplementation on lipid profiles and arterial stiffness
Dose
500 mg SDG daily
Participants
120 adults with borderline cholesterol levels
Duration
10 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol (−12%), LDL (−18%), and arterial stiffness (PWV). hs-CRP was also reduced. HDL and triglycerides showed non-significant trends to improvement.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, arterial pulse wave velocity, hs-CRP
To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of SDG and its metabolites in ApoE knockout mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of SDG and its metabolites in ApoE knockout mice
Dose
10-50 mg/kg SDG (producing enterolignans)
Participants
20 ApoE-/- mice on atherogenic diet
Duration
14 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic lesion area (−45%), reduced LDL oxidation and macrophage foam cell formation, and suppressed inflammatory markers. Enterolactone was identified as the primary active metabolite.
How They Measured It
Aortic atherosclerotic lesion area, LDL oxidation, macrophage infiltration, inflammatory markers
Blood Sugar Control
To evaluate SDG supplementation on fasting glucose and insulin resistance in adults with pre-diabetes
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate SDG supplementation on fasting glucose and insulin resistance in adults with pre-diabetes
Dose
360 mg SDG daily
Participants
80 adults with pre-diabetes
Duration
12 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly improved HOMA-IR (−22%), reduced fasting glucose (−8 mg/dL), and modestly reduced HbA1c compared to placebo. Adiponectin increased significantly. Well tolerated.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, HbA1c, adiponectin
To examine how SDG and enterolignans reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To examine how SDG and enterolignans reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats
Dose
50-100 mg/kg SDG
Participants
24 type 2 diabetic rats (db/db)
Duration
8 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly improved glucose tolerance, enhanced IR/IRS-1 signaling, upregulated GLUT4, protected pancreatic β-cells from oxidative damage, and reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis via glucokinase activation.
How They Measured It
GLUT4, IR, IRS-1 signaling, β-cell function, oxidative stress, glucokinase
Anti-cancer Activity
To evaluate SDG supplementation on breast cancer biomarkers in postmenopausal women
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate SDG supplementation on breast cancer biomarkers in postmenopausal women
Dose
500 mg SDG daily
Participants
59 postmenopausal women
Duration
12 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly increased the urinary 2:16α-hydroxyestrone ratio (a favorable estrogen metabolite ratio) and plasma enterolactone levels, suggesting reduced breast cancer risk via improved estrogen metabolism.
How They Measured It
Breast cancer-relevant hormone metabolism, urinary 2:16α-hydroxyestrone ratio, enterolactone levels
To evaluate SDG and enterolignans as anti-cancer agents in breast and prostate cancer models
Study Type
In vitro and animal study
Purpose
To evaluate SDG and enterolignans as anti-cancer agents in breast and prostate cancer models
Dose
SDG 50-200 μM (in vitro), 50 mg/kg (animal)
Participants
MCF-7 breast and LNCaP prostate cancer cells, and 18 tumor-bearing mice
Duration
72 hours (cell), 21 days (animal)
Results
SDG and its enterolignans significantly inhibited hormone-responsive cancer cell proliferation, suppressed aromatase and androgen receptor signaling, and reduced tumor volume in xenograft models by 38%.
How They Measured It
Cell viability, apoptosis, hormone receptor signaling, aromatase activity, tumor growth (animal)
To examine the relationship between enterolactone levels and prostate cancer risk
Study Type
Prospective study
Purpose
To examine the relationship between enterolactone levels and prostate cancer risk
Dose
Dietary SDG intake assessment + serum enterolactone measurement
Participants
Nested case-control within a cohort of 200 men with prostate cancer vs 400 matched controls
Duration
Prospective
Results
Higher serum enterolactone levels were associated with a 39% reduced risk of prostate cancer (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.88). The inverse association was strongest for aggressive (high Gleason score) prostate cancer.
How They Measured It
Serum enterolactone levels, prostate cancer diagnosis, Gleason score
Antioxidant Activity
To evaluate SDG supplementation on oxidative stress markers in patients with metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate SDG supplementation on oxidative stress markers in patients with metabolic syndrome
Dose
400 mg SDG daily
Participants
60 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
8 weeks
Results
SDG supplementation significantly reduced F2-isoprostanes (−24%), MDA (−18%), and protein carbonyls, while increasing serum total antioxidant capacity, SOD, and GPx activities compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
F2-isoprostanes, MDA, protein carbonyls, serum total antioxidant capacity, GPx, SOD
To characterize the antioxidant capacity of SDG and its lignan metabolites
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize the antioxidant capacity of SDG and its lignan metabolites
Dose
SDG 10-500 μM, enterolactone, enterodiol 10-100 μM
Participants
Biochemical assays and HepG2 hepatocytes under oxidative stress
Duration
Various
Results
SDG and its metabolites demonstrated significant antioxidant capacity. Enterolactone showed greater cell-permeable antioxidant activity than SDG or enterodiol, reducing intracellular ROS more effectively in H2O2-stressed hepatocytes.
How They Measured It
DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, lipid peroxidation inhibition, intracellular ROS measurement
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) (Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside), involving 780 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Anti-cancer activity and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) has been researched for: Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Anti-cancer activity, Antioxidant activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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