Whole grains, root and green vegetables, daily portions of fruit, fish and poultry, olive and canola oils, and ALA from flaxseed, flaxseed oil, and walnuts are also part of the Mediterranean diet. Red meat and saturated fats are not part of the diet. However, whether taking supplements of flaxseed or flaxseed oil helps lower cholesterol is up for debate. Some small studies show it has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, but one double blind study found no evidence that it lowered cholesterol.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts or legumes, and ALA-rich foods may substantially reduce the recurrence of heart disease. One of the best ways to help prevent and treat heart disease is to eat a diet low in saturated and trans fat and rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats including omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and fish.
Evidence suggests that people who eat an ALA-rich diet are less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. ALA may reduce heart disease risk through a variety of ways, including making platelets less "sticky", reducing inflammation, promoting blood vessel health, and reducing risk of arrhythmia irregular heart beat.
Several human studies also suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including ALA, may lower blood pressure. However, it is not clear whether taking flaxseed oil as a supplement would have the same effect on heart health.
Preliminary evidence suggests that taking 1 to 2 g of flaxseed per day can improve the symptoms of dry eye in people with Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks glands in the body that produce moisture like salivary and tear glands.
Studies suggest that flaxseed oil may help prevent the growth of breast tumors. In one Canadian Study, researchers discovered that flaxseed oil prevented breast tumor growth, likely through ALA content.
People with breast cancer should not take any nutritional supplement without their doctor's approval. Studies show that daily use of flaxseed and flaxseed oil are as effective as mineral oil in treating constipation. Flaxseed oil comes from the seed of the flax plant. That is more than is contained in fish oil. But the body is not very efficient at converting ALA into the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils.
Flaxseed oil is available in liquid and softgel capsule forms. Like any oil, flaxseed oil may turn rancid if it is not refrigerated. Flaxseed oil requires special packaging because it is easily destroyed by heat, light, and oxygen. The highest quality flaxseed products are made using fresh pressed seeds, bottled in dark containers, and processed at low temperatures in the absence of light, extreme heat, or oxygen.
Be sure to buy flaxseed oil supplements made by reputable companies who certify their products are free of heavy metals, such as lead and mercury. The dose depends on how much fatty acids you get in your diet and which condition you are taking flaxseed oil for.
There is no recommended dose for flaxseed oil. The best dose for you depends on a number of factors and should be determined in consultation with your doctor. Flaxseed oil is often used in a liquid form, which contains approximately 7 grams of ALA per 15 mL 1 tbsp , and contains about calories.
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Flaxseed may slow down the absorption of oral medications or other nutrients if taken at the same time. Try to avoid taking flaxseed at the same time as medications and other supplements.
Although studies have found that eating fish which contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA regularly may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a recent study including 2 large groups of men and women found that diets rich in ALA may substantially increase the risk of this eye disease.
More research is needed. Fish and fish oil may protect against prostate cancer. But ALA may be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in men. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use flaxseed oil alpha-linolenic acid or ALA or other omega-3 fatty acids without talking to your doctor first.
Blood-thinning medications anticoagulants : Omega-3 fatty acids may strengthen the effects of blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, warfarin Coumadin , and clopedigrel Plavix. While the combination of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids may help treat heart disease, they should not be taken together without the supervision of a doctor. Blood sugar-lowering medications: Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may increase fasting blood sugar levels, which may increase your need for the medications.
Use omega-3 fatty acid supplements with caution if you take medicines to lower your blood sugar, such as:. Cyclosporine: Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine Sandimmune therapy may reduce the toxic side effects associated with this medication in transplant patients, such as high blood pressure and kidney damage. Etretinate and topical steroids: Adding omega-3 fatty acids specifically EPA to the drug therapy etretinate Tegison and topical corticosteroids may improve symptoms of psoriasis.
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A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Heart Health Why not flaxseed oil? July 29, Print This Page Click to Print. List of Partners vendors. Flaxseed oil is made from ground and pressed flax seeds. It is known for its many health benefits, including lowering inflammation , preventing heart disease, and reducing cancer risk.
There article discusses the evidence for these and other possible health benefits, along with side effects to be aware of and precautions to take when adding flaxseed oil to your diet. Here are some of the potential health benefits of flaxseed oil and evidence to back up these claims.
Because flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it may reduce inflammation. One animal study published in found flaxseed oil offered impressive inflammation-lowering benefits.
However, studies in humans have yielded mixed results. One analysis of multiple human studies found flaxseed contained compounds helpful for reducing C-reactive protein an inflammation marker in some of the study participants.
The analysis suggests that flaxseed oil may affect people differently and, therefore, more research is needed to determine its effects on inflammation in the general population. Flaxseed oil contains linoorbitides, compounds known for their cancer-fighting and antioxidant properties.
Alpha-linolenic acids ALA in flaxseed oil may also slow down the growth of cancer cells and even kill them. While the research on ALA and cancer risk reduction is promising, the amount you would need to take to make it a helpful therapy is excessive. Too much flaxseed oil poses the risk for significant side effects and complications.
Studies have found that flaxseed oil supplements can increase levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the body, including eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA. Flaxseed oil has laxative properties. In a study of 50 hemodialysis patients, daily supplementation of flaxseed oil helped relieve constipation. A small study of people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS found that flaxseeds were helpful in reducing IBS symptoms , including constipation and diarrhea. ALA is a powerful antioxidant.
It is often promoted by cosmetic manufacturers has having "anti-aging" properties. Research shows flaxseed oil may help reduce skin cell inflammation and promote the regeneration of skin. A report in the journal Appetite finds that flaxseed supplements can help suppress appetite, allowing for reduced food intake and weight loss. There is some evidence that flaxseed oil may help with menopause symptoms.
One study of menopausal women using flaxseed oil supplements showed a decrease in hot flashes and an increase in quality of life. Flaxseed oil has inflammation-fighting properties. Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil have been studied for reducing cancer risk and symptoms of menopause, and promoting heart health, gut health, skin health, and weight loss. When taken in the right doses and in the short term, flaxseed oil is usually safe for most adults.
Large doses can cause diarrhea and loose stools. But ALA itself might not be the culprit. Other substances in those foods, such as the hormones and pesticides in meat, might promote tumor growth. Anyone who is concerned about the effects of flaxseed oil on their prostate should check with their healthcare provider before adding flaxseed oil to their diet. There is limited evidence on the safety of flaxseed oil when applied topically on skin or hair.
However, a small study of a topical flaxseed oil gel found it safe and effective for carpal tunnel syndrome. Ask your healthcare provider if a flaxseed oil supplement is right for you. There are no standard dosing guidelines for flaxseed oil. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Humans have used flaxseed oil for thousands of years, and it has a variety of health benefits. Manufacturers extract flaxseed oil from flaxseeds. People can use the oil in cooking and baking.
In this article, learn about the health benefits of flaxseed oil, including reduced cholesterol , fewer skin problems, and decreased inflammation.
Flaxseed oil comes from ripened flaxseeds that manufacturers have cold pressed to extract the oil. Another name for flaxseed oil is linseed oil. Flaxseed oil is commercially available in both capsule and liquid form. It contains a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid ALA. The body uses ALA from flaxseed oil and converts it in small amounts to other fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Flaxseed oil does not contain the same nutrients as the whole seed.
For example, flaxseeds contain fiber, magnesium , and vitamin B, but flaxseed oil does not. Although scientists have conducted more research into flaxseed than flaxseed oil, some studies into the oil do show promising results. Similar to flaxseed, flaxseed oil may help lower cholesterol levels. In one small study involving 15 adults, the participants consumed either flaxseed oil or corn oil once per day with dinner.
Those who consumed the corn oil had no change in their cholesterol levels, while those who consumed the flaxseed oil had a significant decrease in LDL. Flaxseed oil may help fight certain types of cancer. Although much more research is needed to draw a definite conclusion, some animal studies are encouraging. One study on mice with lung tumors found that those that consumed a 10 percent flaxseed diet had fewer tumors compared with those in the control group.
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