20 Health Benefits Of Flaxseed Oil And Side Effects

You will find 20 amazing health benefits of flaxseed oil for males, females, and kids and its side effects in this article.

What is flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil, is a yellowish oil obtained by pressing seeds of the flax plant¹.

This oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids essential in the human diet².

In particular, flaxseed oil is high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) omega-3 fatty acids¹.

Furthermore, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is low, making it very beneficial to health^1,3,4,5.

Composition of flaxseed oil⁶:

Compound	Family	% of content
Palmitic acid		5,1
Stearic acid		4,8
Oleic acid	Ω-9	22,3
Linoleic acid	Ω-6	14,0
α-linolenic acid	Ω-3	53,5

Omega-3 fatty acids and methylation

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids regulate several enzymes involved in the methylation cycle^7,8.

What is the methylation cycle?

The methylation cycle is a process that regulates gene expression and protein function⁹.

It also neutralizes heavy metals via glutathione production⁹.

As such, it plays an essential role in your body.

Role of omega-3 fatty acids in methylation

Your body converts a part of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in flaxseed oil into DHA and EPA, the omega fatty acids found in fish oil³.

ALA, DHA, and EPA regulate enzymes in the methylation cycle^7,8, thereby decreasing homocysteine levels^7,8,11,12.

This attribute makes flaxseed oil very beneficial to health, as high homocysteine levels are associated with a wide range of diseases^13,14.

20 Health benefits of flaxseed oil

Here are 20 amazing health benefits of eating flaxseed oil for males, females, and kids:

1. Weight loss

Studies have shown that flaxseed oil helps to decrease weight and waist circumference¹⁵.

Also, it reduces total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglyceride levels¹⁵.

Linseed oil, indeed, regulates lipid metabolism and reduces fat accumulation in the liver thanks to its high alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content¹⁶.

ALA regulates, namely, genes associated with obesity via DNA methylation^10,17,3.

2. Treatment of diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (the most common type) is characterized by insulin resistance and high insulin and blood glucose concentrations^18,19.

Research indicates that flaxseed oil prevents insulin resistance and reduces insulin and blood glucose levels thanks to its high content of ALA^20,21,22.

3. Protection of cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular disease are conditions that involve the heart or blood vessels, such as²³:

Heart failure
Coronary artery diseases
Myocardial infarction
Stroke
Aortic aneurysms
Venous thrombosis

Heartbeat respiratory rate cardiopulmonary synchronization diaphragmatic breathing sleep insomnia.

Cardiovascular disease and cholesterol

Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis risk are directly related to blood cholesterol profile^3,17,24.

By reducing triglycerides, total, and LDL cholesterol levels¹⁵, flaxseed oil protects your cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease and blood sugar

Furthermore, increased blood sugar is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases³.

By reducing insulin levels and increasing nitrite concentration, flax oil also diminishes cardiovascular disease risk ²¹.

4. Reduction of cancer

Flaxseed oil has extraordinary anti-cancer benefits.

It reduces, namely, several types of cancers such as:

Brain cancer²⁵
Breast cancer^26,27,28
Colon cancer^29,30
Skin cancer³¹
Cervical cancer³²

A study has shown that flaxseed oil decreases cancer cell growth while slightly increasing the proliferation of normal cells⁵.

Breast cancer reduction is possibly due to linseed oil’s high ALA content²⁷.

However, linusorbs, natural peptides found in flax oil, also seem to play a role in the death of cancer brain cells²⁵.

5. Promotion of skin health

Flaxseed oil has multiple benefits for the skin.

A study involving 26 women revealed that flaxseed oil supplementation improved skin condition and diminished skin sensitivity³³.

It decreased, to wit, skin roughness and scaling while increasing skin hydration and smoothness³³.

6. Improvement of bone health

Consumption of flaxseed oil results in higher bone:

Mass³⁴
Density³⁵
Strength³⁶

Besides, a study suggests that flaxseed oil decreases estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis³⁷.

7. Protection of gut health

Flaxseed oil has amazing benefits for your gut microbiota.

It, namely, decreases levels of gut bacteria that are typically high in diabetic and alcoholic individuals^22,38.

Conversely, it increases the number of gut bacteria usually low in diabetic and alcoholic people^22,38.

8. Eradication of fungi

Flaxseed oil also has antifungal benefits thanks to its linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid content³⁹.

Linseed oil is also a powerful tool to get rid of Candida albicans^77,78.

9. Elimination of parasites

Among the multiple benefits of flaxseed oil, we count its anti-parasitic properties.

Flax oil has a suppressive effect on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite responsible for malaria⁴¹.

These effects are due to its high level of ALA⁴¹.

Symptoms of liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) in humans. — Flaxseed oil eliminates liver flukes (*Fasciola hepatica*).

Dietary linseed oil also significantly reduces the number of Strongylidae worms⁴² and liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica)⁴³.

10. Improvement of kidney function

Flaxseed oil improves kidney function caused by hypertension by lowering blood pressure^44,45.

This effect is due to its high ALA content^44,45.

11. Protection of liver health

Dietary flaxseed oil reduces liver injury resulting from chronic alcohol consumption³⁸.

It also attenuates non-alcoholic liver disease induced by a high-cholesterol diet^46,47 or high blood pressure⁴⁴.

Furthermore, linseed oil also reduces liver hepatitis⁴⁸.

12. Removal of heavy metals

Flaxseed oil has amazing benefits for heavy metal removal.

It reverses, to wit, oxidative damage caused by:

Cadmium^49,50
Arsenic⁵¹
Lead^52,53

Bentonite heavy metal metals detox cleanse.

The mechanism is the following:

Glutathione is an antioxidant synthesized in human cells^54,55 capable of preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals, peroxides, and heavy metals⁵⁴.

Studies have shown that flaxseed oil supplementation increases glutathione levels^47,48.

13. Relief of constipation

Research reveals that flaxseed oil improves the frequency of evacuation and the consistency of stools⁵⁶.

14. Reduction of inflammation

Studies report that flaxseed oil reduces inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome, a chronic disease with inflammatory states^57,58.

Furthermore, linseed oil also reduces arthritis⁵⁹.

15. Promotion of brain health

Flaxseed oil has excellent benefits for brain function.

It has, namely, neuroprotective effects on functional motor recovery following a brain stroke⁶⁰.

Linseed oil also improves cognitive function and reduces Alzheimer’s disease^61,62,63,64.

Moreover, research reported that supplementation of flax oil and vitamin C reduces hyperactivity in ADHD children⁶⁵.

16. Relief from depression

Studies revealed that flaxseed oil improves depression status by inducing antidepressant-like effects^66,67,68.

17. Reduction of eye dryness

Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition in which eyes are dry⁶⁹.

It can also include symptoms, such as irritation, redness, discharge, and tired eyes⁶⁹.

Researchers have shown that the consumption of flaxseed oil reduces eye dryness in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome⁷⁰ or meibomian gland dysfunction⁷¹.

18. Lowering of blood pressure

Studies report that flaxseed oil reduces blood pressure thanks to the effect of ALA^72,44.

19. Reduction of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which there is a buildup of atheromatous plaque in the artery wall⁷³.

It may lead to coronary or peripheral artery disease, stroke, or kidney problems⁷³.

Research demonstrated that dietary flaxseed oil reduces atherosclerotic plaque formation⁷⁴ and atherosclerosis⁷⁵.

20. Lessening of menopause symptoms

During menopause, the amount of estrogen and progesterone hormones produced by the ovaries decreases.

A study shows that flaxseed oil can mimic the action of estrogen⁷⁶.

This effect may be due to its high content of fatty acids, phytoestrogens, or antioxidants⁷⁶.

As such, it can be a potential hormone replacement therapy for menopause⁷⁶.

Flaxseed oil dosage

How much flaxseed oil per day?

Take one teaspoon of flaxseed oil one day out of three. Then, with time, you can increase the dosage and take it daily.

How to use flaxseed oil?

If you mix flaxseed oil with cottage cheese and ground flaxseed according to Dr. Johanna Budwig’s recipe, you will amplify its health benefits.

Flaxseed oil goes rancid, and as a result, loses its health benefits quickly. For these reasons, keep it refrigerated and put the lid back on soon as you have used it.

What form of flaxseed oil is best?

We recommend avoiding capsules and buying organic cold pressed flax oil in a glass bottle instead.

Generally, brown flaxseed oil contains more alpha-linolenic acid than golden flax oil⁴⁹.

Where to buy flaxseed oil?

You can usually find organic flaxseed oil in a glass bottle at your local supermarket.

It is also available online at Amazon, iHerb, etc.

Flaxseed oil side effects

The side effects of flaxseed oil are the following:

Flaxseed oil can make you feel tired and dizzy, in the beginning, due to its cleansing effect on the liver. With time, on the contrary, it will make you feel more energized and focused.
Also, if you take too much flax oil, it can make you feel bloated and constipated. For these reasons, it is best to begin with a small dosage and progressively increase the amount.

These Side Effects Are Known As A Herxheimer Reaction. Here Is To Prevent This Reaction.

Summary: 20 Health benefits of flaxseed oil and side-effects

Flaxseed oil has amazing health attributes thanks to its high content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content.

These omega-3 fatty acids play, indeed, a crucial role in the methylation cycle, a process essential in your body.

Here are 20 health benefits of flaxseed oil for males, females, and kids:

Weight loss
Treatment of diabetes
Protection of cardiovascular health
Reduction of cancer
Promotion of skin health
Improvement of bone health
Protection of gut health
Eradication of fungi
Elimination of parasites
Improvement of kidney function
Protection of liver health
Removal of heavy metals
Relief of constipation
Reduction of inflammation
Promotion of brain health
Relief from depression
Reduction of eye dryness
Lowering of blood pressure
Reduction of atherosclerosis
Lessening of menopause symptoms

Furthermore, the side effects caused by flaxseed oil are due to its liver cleansing effect and disappear over time.