**7. Central activities**

The higher ALA concentration of flaxseed has been linked to the majority of its effects. Three distinct metabolic destinations are possible for ALA: (a) absorption into structural, transport, or storage pools; (b) use as an energy source via beta-oxidation; and (c) extension and further desaturation to produce EPA, DPA, and DHA.

Although alpha-linolenic acid plays a small role in the cell membrane directly, it plays an important role indirectly in the cell structure after being converted into longchain omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA [54]. On the other hand, a part of ALA consumed through diet participates in energy production processes in the body through beta oxidation, the results of some studies have shown that the percentage of ALA that participates in beta oxidation is about 33% in menand 22% in women [55]. On the other hand, the ALA present in flaxseed reduces the production of inflammatory eicosanoids through metabolic pathways [56]. Additionally, some of the activities of flaxseed may not be reliant on its fatty acid concentration and type and may instead be caused by the lignan SDG. It has been established that the SDG is the primary lignin in flaxseed, and that the gastrointestinal bacteria convert this lignin into the mammalian lignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) [57].
