Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting myeloperoxidase activity in neutrophils in an individual by administering to the individual an effective amount of a lignan, where said lignan is enterolactone. The invention is further directed to a method inhibiting myeloperoxidase activity or oxidative burst of macrophages in an individual by administering to the individual an effective amount of a lignan where said lignan is enterolactone or hydroxymatairesinol or a mixture. Finally, the invention is directed to a method of inhibiting oxidative burst or myeloperoxidase activity in neutrophils in an individual by administering to the individual an effective amount of a lignan which is hydroxymatairesinol.

Abstract: A food product containing an effective amount of an active agent which is hydroxymatairesinol, a geometric isomer or stereoisomer thereof, or an acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture thereof, where the food product is selected from the group consisting of a nutritional supplement and a nutrient. The food product can increase the level of enterolactone or another metabolite of hydroxymatairesinol in a person's serum thereby causing prevention of a cancer or a certain non-cancer, hormone dependent disease in a person, based on the administration of hydroxymatairesinol to the person.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for prevention of cancers, certain non-cancer, hormone dependent diseases and/or cardiovascular diseases in a person, based on administering of hydroxymatairesinol to said person. The invention also concerns a method for increasing the level of enterolactone or another metabolite of hydroxymatairesinol in a person's serum thereby causing prevention of a cancer or a certain non-cancer, hormone dependent disease in a person, based on administering of hydroxymatairesinol to said person. Furthermore, this invention relates to pharmaceutical preparations, food additives and food products comprising hydroxymatairesinol.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for prevention of cancers, certain non-cancer, hormone dependent diseases and/or cardiovascular diseases in a person, based on administering of hydroxymatairesinol to said person. The invention also concerns a method for increasing the level of enterolactone or another metabolite of hydroxymatairesinol in a person's serum thereby causing prevention of a cancer or a certain non-cancer, hormone dependent disease in a person, based on administering of hydroxymatairesinol to said person. Furthermore, this invention relates to pharmaceutical preparations, food additives and food products comprising hydroxymatairesinol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decreasing the intracellular, especially nuclear level of &bgr;-catenin in an individual and to a method for the prevention or treatment of a disease or condition in an individual, wherein said disease or condition is related to a mutant APC gene or to an elevated level of intracellular &bgr;-catenin. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for screening a subject to determine if said subject is a carrier of a mutant APC gene, and to methods for diagnosing an individual's predisposition for a disease or condition in an individual, said disease or condition being related to a mutant APC gene or to an elevated level of intracellular &bgr;-catenin.