Although there are very few flaxseed oil side effects proven by documented studies, it’s best to make sure you know about them.
In contrast, the health benefits of flaxseed oil are substantiated by numerous studies over a very long time and confirmed by massive real life experience.
But, as with any dietary supplement, you should be cautious and start with a small amount to see how your body reacts.
Even though the studies on the side effects of flaxseed oil are not conclusive, it is best to consult your doctor before starting to take it on a regular basis, making sure that these suggested side effects will not affect you.
Suggested Flaxseed Oil Side Effects:
Gastrointestinal: Taking an excessively large amount of flaxseed oil may cause an upset stomach, flatulence and loose stools.
Blood clotting: Some research suggests that flaxseed oil may affect the body’s blood clotting ability, so if you have a bleeding disorder, take drugs that increase the risk of bleeding, or plan to undergo medical, surgical, or dental procedures, you should ask your doctor before consuming flax seed.
Prostate Cancer: Some researchers suggest that taking flaxseed oil for a long period of time could be linked to prostate cancer. The role flaxseed oil may play in the development of prostate cancer is highly debated and controversial, partly due to the very little research done regarding this specific aspect of flaxseed oil side effects.
Allergy: One study found that flaxseed oil could be responsible for allergic reactions like diarrhea, watery eyes, hives, stuffed up nose and shortness of breath. However, enough evidence is missing to confirm this isolated finding. If you have known allergies, is best to start with a very small amount and see how your body reacts.
Absorption of other medicines: Flaxseed oil’s content of mucilage may interfere with the absorption of some medicines, so it's better to consume it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take any medicines.
Estrogen-like effects in pre-menopausal women: Even though filtered flaxseed oil is perfectly safe, there are a few points to pay attention to when you consume oil with added lignans or ground flaxseed.
Due to the estrogen-like effects of the lignans in flax seeds, your menstrual period may be altered - if you are pregnant or lactating, avoid flaxseed products altogether.
Use it cautiously if you have a low thyroid condition, or any hormone-sensitive condition like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary.
Remember, these flaxseed oil side effects are only referring to the lignans-enriched oil - the ground flaxseed powder mixed with the oil - the label will always says.
The filtered oil does not contain any lignans, so if you can't consume ground flaxseed or lignans-enriched oil, there's no reason you should miss the weight loss and other health benefits of flaxseed oil >>