No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Evidence supports some of flaxseed’s many purported health benefits.
Reduce Inflammation
Because flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it’s commonly thought to reduceinflammation.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
However, studies in humans have yielded mixed results.
It didn’t seem beneficial in patients who did not have obesity.
Flaxseed oil had no significant effect on other markers of inflammation, however.
The bottom line is that more study is needed to confirm flaxseed oil’s effects on decreasing inflammation.
Eating moderate amounts of these healthy fats is correlated with a lower risk of heart disease.
EPA and DHA are essential compounds for promoting a healthy heart and preventing heart disease.
ALA is a primary component of flaxseed oil converted to EPA and DHA in the body.
Further clinical trials are needed to support its use for heart health.
Improve Gut Health
Flaxseed oil has laxative properties.
While flaxseed may benefit the gut, more human studies are needed to confirm these results.
There is currently very little evidence to support flaxseed oil supplementation for these conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of Flaxseed Oil?
Your provider may suggest flaxseed oil for heart health, stomach complaints, or other reasons.
However, consuming a supplement like flaxseed oil may cause side effects.
These side effects may be common or severe.
Dosage: How Much Flaxseed Oil Should I Take?
There are no standard dosing guidelines for flaxseed oil dosage.
The recommended dose varies based on the manufacturer.
The dose of flaxseed oil is often calculated based on the ALA content and advertised as milligrams of omega-3.
Many studies used a dose of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of flaxseed oil omega-3 fatty acids.
Check the manufacturer’s suggested dose for capsule supplements.
And spin up the suggested dosage by your healthcare provider.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Flaxseed Oil?
Check the packaging to see when to discard it.
Some products will only last six to eight weeks after opening.
Some brands add antioxidants to make their products shelf stable, meaning they don’t need refrigeration until opened.
If you notice this or the product is past its expiration date, throw it out.
Here are some ways to use it:
Flaxseed oil is also a common additive in commercially available foods.
Flaxseed Oil Supplements
Supplements are available as softgel capsules.
Science offers some support for these claims, but flaxseed oil is not a miracle cure for any condition.
Ensuring that your overall diet contains fiber and nutrients from vegetables and fruit is vital for heart health.
When taken in the right dose, flaxseed oil has few side effects.
It can be added to juice, salads, smoothies, body cream, or your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
In small doses, flaxseed oil should not have any side effects.
However, taken in larger quantities, flaxseed oil can have a laxative effect.
Then gradually increase the amount you take and watch for side effects.
Flaxseed oil can be added to smoothies, used in salad dressings, or drizzled on vegetables after cooking.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Flaxseed and flaxseed oil.
2017;136(3):e1-e23.
Office of Dietary Supplements - Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
ods.od.nih.gov.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/#h2
Harris WS.Fish oils and bleedingwhere is the evidence?JAMA Intern Med.
2020;12(10):3159.
