Introduction
Flaxseed oil comes from the tiny seeds of the flax plant. It has been used to promote heart health and lower blood pressure. Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, a fat your body needs to promote wellness. Flaxseed oil can be taken orally or used in cooking. It can also be taken as a pill or applied to the skin.
Dosages
1 to 2 tablespoons daily
What Research Shows
Likely Effective
- High blood pressure —likely to lower diastolic blood pressure F1, F2
May Be Effective
- Carpal tunnel syndrome —may ease symptoms and improve function C1
- Diabetic foot ulcer —may promote wound healing D1
- Diabetic neuropathy —may improve insulin and triglyceride levels E1
- Lipid profile —may raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol in older adults H1
- Polycystic ovary syndrome —may lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides I1, I2
Unlikely to Be Effective
- Hyperlipidemia —unlikely to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol; likely to lower when taken as flax-seed G1
Not Enough Data to Assess
- Bipolar disorder in children A1
- Cardiovascular disease B1
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to take flaxseed oil in small doses for a short time, but allergic reactions may happen. J1 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
REFA Bipolar Disorder in Children
REFA1 Gracious BL, Chirieac MC, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of flax oil in pediatric bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2010 Mar;12(2):142-154.
REFB Cardiovascular Disease
REFB1 Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;7:CD003177.
REFC Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
REFC1 Hashempur MH, Homayouni K, et al. Effect of Linum usitatissum L. (linseed) oil on mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Daru. 2014;22:43.
REFD Diabetic Foot Ulcer
REFD1 Soleimani Z, Hashemdokht F, et al. Clinical and metabolic response to flaxseed oil omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Diabetes Complications. 2017 Sep;31(9):1394-1400.
REFE Diabetic Nephropathy
REFE1 Soleimani A, Taghizadeh M, et al. Metabolic response to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2017 Feb;36(1):79-84.
REFF High Blood Pressure
REFF1 Khalesi S, Irwin C, et al. Flaxseed consumption mat reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Nutr. 2015;145(4):758-765.
REFF2 Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, et al. Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(3):615-625.
REFG Hyperlipidemia
REFG1 Pan A, Yu D, et al. Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;90(2):288-297.
REFH Lipid Profile
REFH1 Avelino AP, Oliveira GM, et al. Additive effect of linseed oil supplementation on the lipid profiles of older adults. Clin Interv Aging. 2015 Oct 22;10:1679-1685.
REFI Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
REFI1 Ebrahimi FA, Samimi M, et al. The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E Co-Supplementation on Indices of Insulin Resistance and Hormonal Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Jun;125(6):353-359.
REFI2 Mirmassoumi G, Fazilati M, et al. The Effects of Flaxseed Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Metabolic Status of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2018;126(4):222-228.
REFJ Safety
REFJ1 Alonso L, Marcos ML, et al. Anaphylaxis caused by linseed (flaxseed) intake. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996 Aug;98(2):469-470.