Lariciresinol is a type of plant lignan, a class of phytoestrogens found in various seeds, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Phytoestrogens are compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body by binding to estrogen receptors, albeit with much weaker activity than endogenous estrogen. The metabolism of lariciresinol in the human gut leads to the formation of enterolignans (enterodiol and enterolactone), which are believed to exert estrogen-like effects.

Several in vitro and animal studies, as well as a limited number of observational human studies, suggest that diets rich in lignans, including lariciresinol, may influence estrogen metabolism and have potential benefits for hormone-related conditions. For example, some epidemiological evidence associates higher dietary lignan intake with reduced risk of hormone-dependent cancers (such as breast cancer) and improved menopausal symptoms. However, these findings are not specific to lariciresinol alone but to total lignan intake, and there is significant variability in individual metabolism and absorption.

While the use of lariciresinol to support the estrogen body system has a scientific basis, the evidence is moderate rather than definitive. Most supporting data come from population studies or preclinical research, with relatively few controlled human intervention trials specifically addressing lariciresinol. As such, lariciresinol can be considered as having some scientific support for its role in estrogenic activity, but further research is needed for stronger validation.