Flaxseed oil is a supplement that can boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
These substances are considered to help lower your cholesterol as well as reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
Getting omega-3s into your body requires consuming it in your diet or taking it as a supplement, because your body doesn't produce it on its own.
Risks and side effects
It is important to be careful when using flaxseed oil, as there are many risks and side effects.
For many, the benefits of flaxseed and flaxseed oil may outweigh the risks of using the product.
Use caution when adding flaxseed oil to your diet or using it as a supplement.
1. There is no definitive search
There are several studies currently underway to link the use of flaxseed oil to positive health benefits, but there is no standard use of dietary supplements.
Discuss with your doctor the health benefits of flaxseed oil before trying it.
You should also discuss the length of time it is healthy to use it as well as the recommended dosage (s).
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2. Quality can vary
Flaxseed oil is not regulated as a dietary supplement by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Therefore, the quality and contents of flaxseed oil are not regulated and standardized.
You should use these products with caution.
3. It can lead to low blood sugar
Using flaxseed or flaxseed oil might lower your blood sugar.
You should be careful using these supplements if you have diabetes or any other condition that affects your blood sugar levels.
You should also be careful about taking flaxseed oil if you are using medications that alter blood sugar levels (s).
4. It can lead to low blood pressure
Consuming flaxseed oil may lower blood pressure.
If you have a medical condition or take a medication that lowers blood pressure, adding this supplement to your diet may cause complications (s).
5. It can lead to bleeding
Using flaxseeds may increase your chances of bleeding.
This may be a problem if you have a health condition that causes bleeding or if you are taking certain medications that may cause bleeding, such as blood thinners (s).
6. It can lead to changes in hormones
Do not take flaxseed or flaxseed oil while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Flaxseed oil may cause complications in pregnant women due to its ability to affect hormones (s).
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7. It can lead to allergic reactions
There is a possibility that you are allergic to flaxseed and flaxseed oil.
You should stop using flaxseed oil and avoid using it if you notice itching, swelling, redness or hives when taking it.
Vomiting and nausea may also be signs of an allergic reaction.
See a medical center right away if your reaction to flaxseed oil causes sore throat or shortness of breath.
These may be signs of anaphylactic shock (s).
8. It can lead to prostate cancer
There is conflicting research on whether ALA in flaxseed and flaxseed oil actually causes prostate cancer tumors to be more aggressive.
Flaxseed oil does not contain the nutrient lignan, which has been linked to slowing prostate cancer tumors.
Additionally, the fats in flaxseed oil may not give your body what it needs if you have prostate cancer.
Oncology Nutrition advises that you should discuss flaxseed use with your doctor and avoid using flaxseed oil altogether as it does not benefit people with prostate cancer (s).
9. It can lead to constipation and diarrhea
Flax seeds are considered to help treat constipation. However, flaxseed oil does not contain as much fiber as flaxseed.
Therefore, using flaxseed oil to soothe the intestines will not have the same effect as using flaxseed.
You should consume water regularly if you are using flaxseed as a supplement.
You may find that flaxseed oil leads to diarrhea (s).
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Flaxseed oil interactions with medications and health conditions
Flaxseed oil side effects may lead to negative reactions if you take it, take certain medications, or have certain medical conditions.
Sometimes flaxseed interferes with the absorption of other medications.
You will often need to take flaxseed oil for a few hours before taking the medications to make sure your body absorbs it properly.
Additionally, you may have to avoid the supplement altogether. Some medications that may interact negatively with flaxseed oil include:
1- Those that alter blood flow and bleeding, including:
- Aspirin
- Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) and clopedigrel (Plavix)
- Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Those that regulate blood sugar, including:
- Insulin
- Glipizide (Glucotrol)
- Glucophage (Metformin)
- Glyburide (Micronase or Diabeta)
- Those that alter estrogen levels
- Those that help with constipation
- Those that lower blood pressure
2- You should consult your doctor before using flaxseed oil if you have:
- Bleeding cases
- Bowel obstruction
- Diabetic
- Diarrhea (prolonged or severe)
- Diverticulitis
- Lack of blood sugar
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Low blood pressure
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using flaxseed oil.