Recent studies have shown that these tiny seeds contain two unique seed lignans that contribute in multiple ways to foster healthy hearts in order to assist in preventing cardiovascular disease. The seeds that manifested these remarkable properties are none other than sesame seeds. The two lignans are known as sesamin and sesmol. They have been shown to fight inflamation, boost the body’s antioxidant capacity, and enhance vitamin E bioavailabilty. Its ability to boost the body’s antioxidant capacity has been shown to inhibit artherosclerosis. The researchers suspect that the way the sesame lignans inhibit artherosclerosis is a result of working synergistically with vitamin E in the body.
Vitamin E is a very strong fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cells from oxidation. The alpha component of vitamin E is well known and is included in typical multivatamin supplements. More recently the importance of the gamma component of vitamin E has ben discovered. It turns out that the gamma tocopherol may be the more effective in in quenching a nitrogen-based free radical that is associated with many inflammatory processes. In addition the gamma tocopherol inhibits the formation of pro-inflamatory prostaglandins which are a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Additional good news concerns sesame seeds ability to increase both alpha and gamma tocopherols in the body. In fact some researchers found that sesame helped prevent the breakdown of gamma tocopherol in the body. This is good news for seniors who are searching for preemptive ageing steps that they can take to foster their senior health.