Welcome to Flaxseed Oil Benefits and congratulations on finding us! Believe it or not, the information you read here today could actually make a huge difference to improving your health and quality of life.
You’re about to discover how flaxseed oil - a natural, plentiful and cheap food source can improve specific aspects of your health Plus the best and easiest ways to add it to your daily diet..
Flaxseed Oil and Omega-3
It’s a curious world we live in today, where obesity levels in the western world are at their highest levels, and yet the demand for healthy, natural foods and living a healthy lifestyle has never been greater.
There’s no mystery to understanding that a poor diet and lack of exercise will result in poor health. Subsequently a healthy diet, combined with regular and moderate exercise will help promote a healthy body.
If you’re like me, then you too are interested in nutrient rich foods that derive from natural sources like plants and fish. You should be able to consume much of your recommended daily amounts of fiber, protein vitamins and minerals etc. just by eating a healthy balanced diet.
But despite these good intentions, there are a few important nutrients in the average, healthy diet that we simply don’t consume enough of for optimal health.
Omega 3 is one of those deficiencies, and it is a food source that nearly all of us should consume more of, especially as the health benefits of omega 3 are well documented and scientifically proven. You just need to look at how low heart disease figures are in places like Japan and Korea where fish and vegetables are widely eaten on a daily basis.
Omega 3 - also known as a polyunsaturated fat is an 'essential', unsaturated fatty acid needed in the body for maintaining good health.
The body cannot produce these fats by itself (this is why they are called 'essential' fatty acids) and so we rely on various foods for their intake.
Much of these fatty acids are found in fish, especially oily fish. However, consuming fish isn’t an option for everyone and can pose potential health risks.
Consuming larger doses of omega 3 has been shown to help prevent and treat a number of medical conditions including; cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, depression, and asthma.
It is recommended we consume approximately 2 to 4 times as much omega 3 as omega 6. However, because of the average, unhealthy diet in the Western world, the typical ratio is nearer 20 to 1 in favor of omega 6, which is a dangerous combination.
Flaxseed contains an ideal 3 – 1 ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
Consume Flaxseed Oil Instead of Fish
Yes fish – especially salmon, sardines, halibut and tuna contain good quantities of omega 3 as does olive oil and walnuts. As I’ve mentioned, for a number of reasons not everyone can, or wants to eat fish. Fish oil also contains slightly different properties to flaxseed oil.
See my article: Flaxseed Oil Vs Fish Oil for more information.
Here’s why flaxseed oil is better for you than eating fish..
- Flaxseed oil comes from a blue flowering plant rather than from a fish. The extraction process of flaxseed oil is also obviously different to that of fish oil. It is a natural alternative for vegetarians and vegans or anyone who cannot consume fish products for whatever reason.
- Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Flaxseed oil, on the other hand, is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is the ‘parent’ fatty acid to DHA and EPA. The body is able to use the high content of ALA found in flaxseed oil to make as much DHA and EPA as it needs. In layman’s terms, flaxseed oil contains the same omega 3 benefits to that of fish oil, plus the benefits of ALA.
- Flaxseed oil contains the perfect ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids (3 to 1).
- Flaxseed oil contains more than twice as much omega 3 as fish oil.
- Flaxseed oil does not contain any harmful mercury or other poisonous metals often found in fish.
- Flaxseed oil is cheaper than fish or fish oil supplements and comes from a sustainable crop.
Flaxseed oil benefits are not as well documented as fish oil benefits but more and more studies are revealing incredible health benefits ranging from improving skin conditions to treating and curing cancers.
These findings are very exciting and even doctors and health organizations are recommending flaxseed oil for a number of ailments.
I also believe that the big pharmacy companies have a vested interest in promoting the higher ‘mark-up’ of fish oil supplements compared to the lesser lucrative flaxseed oil.
Antioxidant Rich Lignans
Lignans are powerful antioxidants that help fight against harmful free radicals. Lignans have almost identical properties to the female hormone estrogen and certain cancers that need natural estrogen to thrive, have been shown to slowdown in growth and stopped altogether when high levels of lignans are introduced to the body.
Studies have shown low incidence of breast cancer and colon cancer in populations that have high amounts of lignan in their diet.
Lignans also ward off the ill effects of certain bacteria and fungi.
Flaxseeds contain more lignans than any other plant source and 100 times more than most other whole grains.
Although lignans are found in the flax seed, good quality flaxseed oil such as Barlean’s Highest Lignan Flax Oil retains good measures of lignans which can otherwise be lost in the processing of the oil.
Helps Control High Blood Pressure
Consumption of omega 3 has been shown to reduce high blood pressure. A study revealed that a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids reduced high blood pressure in patients by as much as 6%.
Although 6% doesn’t seem a lot, it does prove that flaxseed oil is a beneficial oil the body responds to. Helping to lower high blood pressure, even by a small amount just adds another string to the many flaxseed oil health benefits.
Flaxseed Oil and Weight Loss
First of all, flaxseed oil is not going to help you lose weight if your overall diet is high in sugar and saturated fat. The reason it can benefit a lifestyle geared towards losing weight is 2 fold:
1. Whole and ground flaxseeds contain good amounts of fiber which helps the digestive system and keeps you regular. It also makes you feel fuller for longer.
2. Flaxseed oil is converted to compounds that increase the body’s metabolic rate. The body’s cells produce more heat and burn more fuel (calories).
Check out my article for more information on flaxseed oil and weight loss.
Flaxseed Oil Can Help Lower Cholesterol
Flaxseed oil contains twice as much omega 3 fatty acids than fish oil and is also high in soluble fiber, omega 6, omega 9 fatty acids.
These healthy fats and dietary fiber help keep blood platelets from sticking together, reducing cholesterol levels and lowering the likelihood of heart disease.
Flaxseed oil’s high level of alpha-linolenic acid is also a significant contributor to lowering cholesterol levels.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil contains anti-inflammatory, essential fatty acids in the form of omega 3. These fatty acids help reduce inflammation that contribute to health problems such as asthma, arthritis, migraines, and osteoporosis.
This is in contrast to omega 6 fats, which act as a pro-inflammatory. Excessive levels of omega 6 can actually cause these various medical conditions.
The average Western diet contains far too much omega 6 because it is found in various foods such as animal fats, margarine, and many vegetable oils.
Flaxseed Oil and Brain Function
There is growing evidence to suggest many brain conditions such as ADHD and depression can be linked to a deficiency of healthy fatty acids such as those found in flaxseed oil.
Around one fifth of the brain is made up of fatty acids, so it should be reasonable to expect that a lack of omega 3 in our diets could have some detrimental effect on the brain.
There is a lot of research linking low levels of omega 3 fatty acids to numerous psychiatric conditions and many indications that omega-3 fatty acids can improve the mental function of people in their elder years.
Flaxseed Oil Promotes Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails
Flaxseed oil has been shown to improve the condition of your skin, hair and nails. It can also help to reduce and totally eliminate sun spots that develop on the skin.
Applying flax oil to the skin has also shown to reduce scar tissue.
How To Add Flaxseed Oil To Your Daily Diet
If you buy flaxseed oil, make sure you use it as an addition to your cooked or prepared food. Cooking with it can actually turn it into a ‘bad’ fat and strip it of a lot of its nutrients. Add it instead to dishes like salads, yoghurts, cottage cheese, soups and smoothie drinks.
I eat lots of salads and often drizzle a little flaxseed oil over the top. It gives it a really delicious, nutty flavor.
Flaxseed oil eaten in conjunction with a low fat protein such as low fat cottage cheese is supposed to be the absolute optimal way of absorbing the essential fatty acids.
Fact: Flaxseed oil taken with a meal can actually increase the nutritional value of other foods.
There’s also nothing wrong in just drinking it from the spoon. You might want to drink some fruit juice afterwards if the taste is too strong for you.
Which Flaxseed Oil Is Best For You?
It all depends on how much you are prepared to spend and how much time you have as to what flaxseed oil is best for you.
Flaxseed in ‘oil form’ has the highest and most concentrated quantities of omega 3 and is also absorbed into your body more efficiently.
Probably the best flaxseed oil product on the market at the moment is Barlean’s Highest Lignan Flax Oil. This is the only flax oil I buy now and use it almost daily. The great reviews it has on Amazon speaks for itself.
Flaxseed oil capsules and soft gels are also a popular choice and offer an easy and convenient form whilst still providing high quantities of Omega 3.
Gels and tablets don’t offer the nutrient value that comes from the seeds, such as the lignans and fiber, but do contain the important essential fatty acids.
As a side note, flaxseed is gluten-free, which is an important consideration to anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
I believe that the best combination is to consume flaxseed oil or a gel/tablet, with ground flaxseeds. That way you benefit from high levels of omega 3 and the beneficial nutrients and lignans found in the seeds.
For more information on flaxseed benefits and what health promoting properties it contains, check out my article flaxseed benefits.
Where Can I Buy Flaxseed Oil?
There are lots of online stores that sell flaxseed tablets, in soft gel form, raw flaxseed and flaxseed oil. I always use Amazon.com because they have an excellent reputation for the quality of their products and lots of customer reviews.
Check out my recommended products in the side bar where you can buy the best flaxseed.
Conclusion
Flaxseed oil health benefits are being discovered all the time and with ongoing research it could very well be a future treatment in mainstream medicine for lots of health conditions.
If you haven’t already worked it out, I love flaxseed and flaxseed oil! It has improved my health and lowered my cholesterol. I know dozens of other people with similar success stories since they’ve started to take it.
If you have any questions, comments regarding flaxseed oil benefits or anything relates to this site, please drop your comments below.
Warmest regards,
Sarah
I had always been aware of the benefits of omega 3 and had assumed it came from the intake of fish in your diet, its a pleasant surprise that flaxseed oil can do the same job as well.
I am an old man just starting to take Flaxseed oil. Wha is the recommended mg’s per meal. I have had Gall Bladder problems and find this stuff is helping me.
Hi Dewayne,
The amount of flaxseed oil needed to provide the health benefits you need is approx 2,000mg’s per day. If you are getting omega-3 fatty acids from other sources in your diet, then the recommended amount would be less.
You can add a teaspoon to your drinks throughout the day or add it to meals (but don’t cook with it).
Hi Sarah,
In the magazine Men’s Health an author mentioned that it has recently been found that flaxseed oil is not as beneficial as has been thought. Have you heard of any criticism of flaxseed oil lately?
My daughter recommended flax seed oil for help with painful joints; I noticed the benefits very quickly. I have also noticed a differemce in the night cramps I suffred from; these were dreadful and would have me waking up in the night, rolling around on the floor screaming in agony. Since taking flax seed oil capsules these cramps have gone! I’ve not heard or read of a correlation between the two so would be interested to know if anyone else has benefited in this way.
I am a fifty year old female how much of the flexseed oil should I take
One common but unmentioned reason for switching to flax seed oil from fish oil supplements is that there are no ‘fishy burps’ afterward. Those can be pretty gross and last throughout the day, so eliminating them is a major advantage for flax seed oil.
I’ve been taking cod liver oil which helped me with my dry eyes and knee pain, but when I ran out and could only get flaxseed oil I discovered a new benefit. 2 Tbls./day & No horrible monthly menstrual pain, which I had been having most of my adult life (about 25 yrs). Incredibly Amazing!!!
Would you recommend taking flaxseed soft gel along with omega 3 oil soft gel in the same day?
@Jeannette Wallace:
Hi Jeannette,
Taking any supplement like flaxseed oil or omega-3, depends on why you need too.
I cannot see any problem ‘health wise’ taking both forms of soft gel, but as I say, it all depends on why. There’s no harm in trying that combination.
I cook and add flaxseed oil to my food and also take a fish oil supplement. This combination really cured my joint pain and I get a lot more health benefits as well!
You might also want to read my article on Flaxssed Oil Vs Fish Oil
Sarah
hi, i’m 37 yrs of age, can a pregnant woman take flaxseed suplements? how many a day?
can a woman with prolonged menstration take flaxseed suplements? thanks ,,,.
@carmensita pilar:
Hi Carmensita,
You have asked some very good questions there and I intend to put up an article covering the subject of flaxseed and pregnancy in more detail.
To answer your first question.. there has been a few studies relating to premature births and women consuming flaxseed oil in the last two trimesters of their pregnancy. Without going into great detail, I would suggest pregnant women stop taking flaxseed oil during this time, as the studies revealed that there was an increase in premature births with women taking the oil. The actual flaxseed is still absolutely fine to eat during this time.
With regard to your second question.. yes it has been shown that the lignans found in flaxseed can actually promote ‘normal’ ovulation by lengthening the menstrual cycle and restoring your hormonal balance.
Will flaxseed oil help with my perimenapause symptoms
@margaret bennett:
Hi Margaret,
Doctors in complementary medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggest that flaxseed oil can help in regulating the body’s hormone imbalance and help with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
I just started to use flaxseed oil due to sever dry eyes and with just two days of use my eyes are getting better, I now know that I need to use this product because of a sever alergy to fish and all fish products, I had to find something I could use,
I am glad my doctor told me about your product and will continue to use it from now on.
help please iv read in the sun that flaxseed oil causes breast cancer which iv just been diagnosed with surgery 3 October
iv been taking them for about one year now for arthritus and im really scardy pants please help me i dont want to stop taking them but if they cause the breast cancer as the sun newspaper says what do i do help help im all alone
@maureen crowley:
Maureen, there is nothing in flaxseed oil to suggest it may cause breast cancer – no matter what the Sun newspaper may claim!
Taking flaxseed oil supplements supply you with a whole host of proven health benefits given the healthy omega-3 fatty acids they provide.
Please don’t worry about such a scare article. Flaxseed oil is produced naturally and like virtually any fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs etc. it benefits the body in lots of different ways.
I do hope your surgery goes well. In the mean time you can sleep easy with regard to taking flaxseed oil.
@Sarah:
Sarah i cant thank you enough iv cried and cried but i believe you and im going to start again today you are very special im so down no friends and iidnt know what to do so thanks you are very special ill let you know how i get on preop tommorrow Your thanks Maureen
I recently saw an opthomologist regarding my constant watery eyes. He suggested the use of flaxseed oil, which as a good pt I went out and bought. I found this site cause I did not know too much about it. AsI scolled down I found another woman with the same problem the MD said because I was postmenopausal everything was drying. Since taking the flaxseed gel cap 1000mg I am certainly experiencing some relief. I hope this lasts because I was miserable for three weeks withgallons of water flowing from my eyes. Thank You for a place to sharemy experience. Will check in in a few weeks and let you know how it is going. EML
Hi Sarah
My question is about high blood pressure and chronic back pain…. My b/p has been out of control and the doctor would like me to take medication for it … I have tried but hate the side effects and medication! I was wondering if flax seed oil would be a better alternative than the script that the doc had prescribed… Also, I broke my back about 10 years ago..and still have pain regarding it.. will the flax seed oil help with bone pain? Again, I hate medication!
Thank you and God Bless
-Michelle
@Michelle:
Hi Michelle, Flaxseed oil contains anti-inflamatory properties that can help joint pain and arthritic sufferes. It might help a little towards your back pain but I’m not sure how effective it would be.
Consuming ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil isn’t going to harm you and it will certainly improve your overall health not matter what, and will benefit your cardiovascular system.
The number of studies regarding the health benefits of flaxseed oil and Omega-3 are growing all the time with new discoveries being made. Anyone of any age – including your pets can benefit from it.
I am buying cold pressed flaxseed oil from Holland and Barret. Is this a good quality oil?
Thank you
@Fiona:
Hi Fiona,
Yes organic, cold pressed flaxseed oil that contain lignans is the best quality you can get.
Make sure to keep it refrigerated or even store it in the freezer.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and went through surgery, chemo and radiation. I am OK now but always watching closely my diet. I was taking flaxseed oil on a daily basis starting right after my surgery. I believe it was very beneficial to my recovery. I stopped taking it after getting this advise from a diatitian specilized in cancer nutrition. I have doubts it would provoke a recurrence but I thought perhaps I can have a break and see if there are more pros and cons to decide if flaxseed oil is good for me. Can you point to some recent studies related to this issue?
@Helena
I have never read anywhere in any medical research that flaxseed oil could provoke any reacurrence of cancer. There are suggestions that men with prostrate cancer should get their essential fatty acids from fish rather than the ALA in flaxseed oil, although a lot more research is required to substantiate this.
Two resources that might interest you are:
1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/flaxseed-oil-000304.htm
2. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed
I have just finished a flaxseed oil Q & As article that might provide you with some more information.
After an allergy test I found out I am allergic to fish, so had to stop my fish oil for my heart and high cholesteral. My doctor recommended flax seed oil, but I do not know how much to take. How much flax seed oil should I take each day. I take the oil in a spoon. Should I take a teaspoon or more?
Hey Sarah,
It’s interesting that a lot of doctors are now recommending flaxseed oil as a natural remedy for high cholesterol. It warms my heart to know they haven’t just got the prescription pad out and told you to take statins.
If you have high cholesterol that you want to lower, then a couple of tablespoons a day wil help. You should get a cholesterol reading now and take another one a few months down the line to see how much it has changed. I expect you’ll be pleasantly suprised – and no nasty side effects through pumping statin drugs through your body!
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Dear Sarah :
How are you ? My daughter is four years old. She got asthma and bad eczema . Can she takes flaxseed oil ? How much she should take on daily basis? Do you know where can I find some information about the benefit of flaxseed oil in young children ?
With warm regards
HK
@ HK Lai
Yes flaxseed can be beneficial to your daughters conditions. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds, notably, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium and vitamin E which has been shown to reduce asthma in children. A note of caution: wheat may need to be avoided, as it is a common food allergen associated with asthma.
Vitamin E helps nourish and protects the skin. Your daughter’s eczema should benefit from this too.
Start off with small doses of 1 teaspoon of ground flaxseed (rather than flaxseed oil) per day and slowly increase the amount.
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil, provide the same benefits to everyone – young and old.
Hope this helps
Hello! I was diagnosed with endometesiso 6mths ago and ive been getting lupron depot injections. I receive them every 3mths. My last injection is next Friday. The only reason i’m taking the shot is to better my chance of getting pregnant. The Lurpon is really doing damage to my hair. SO I WANT TO KNOW WILL FLAX SEED OIL BENEFIT ME?
@ Sara
For the benefit of anyone who may be confused with your comment, I presume you are taking Lupron medication to treat your endometriosis. As apposed to taking Lupron in order to become pregnant.
If your hair is being damaged by the Lupron, then taking flaxseed oil may help restore some of the moisture to your hair and scalp, keeping it from drying out.
Flaxseed oil won’t interfere with your medication and will also provide you with a number of other health benefits on top of treating your hair.
I do hope the endometriosis is successfully treated and you are able to become pregnant in the future.
Sarah
Thank You So Much!
Hi there,
I just saw two types of Flaxseed oil brands at a market here in Pattaya, Thailand (I work in Bangkok) and the bottles said must be kept below 25 degrees Celsius … The bottles were just on the shelf, not in a fridge … I assume the air-con keeps the store at 24 degrees or lower all day, everyday … Are they safe to buy?
Btw, they were imported from australia and also said refrigerate after opening …
Thanks,
Alex
i m suffering from hair loss… will flaxseed oil help? if so how to use it??
Hari, flaxseed oil can certainly help to keep hair and scalp nourished, by I wouldn’t rely on it to prevent hair loss. I have not uncovered any research to suggest otherwise.