Background
- Flaxseed has had a variety of health and industrial uses. Hippocrates wrote about flaxseed being a laxative; North American pioneers made flaxseed dressings for cuts and burns. Fiber from the plant is made into linen, and oil from its seeds is used in paints, among other products.
- Today, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are promoted for a variety of disorders that include stomach and intestinal complaints, such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are also promoted for heart and blood vessel disorders (for example, high levels of blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides), as well as diabetes and other conditions.
How Much Do We Know?
- A number of studies in people have investigated the health effects of flaxseed and flaxseed oil, particularly how flaxseed may affect heart and blood vessel diseases, type 2 diabetes, and menopausal symptoms.
What Have We Learned?
- Flaxseed contains fiber, which may relieve constipation. However, there’s little research on the effectiveness of flaxseed for this condition.
- Authors of a 2019 review article suggest that flaxseed may be helpful for some people diagnosed with heart and blood vessel diseases. (It is not known whether flaxseed oil might have a similar effect.)
- Research suggests that flaxseed may help with blood sugar levels in some people with type 2 diabetes. (It is not known whether flaxseed oil might have a similar effect.)
- Studies have had conflicting results on whether flaxseed helps with symptoms of menopause.
- NCCIH is funding preliminary research on the potential role of flaxseed in inflammation and its effects on the gut microbiome.
What Do We Know About Safety?
- Don’t eat raw or unripe flaxseeds, which may contain potentially toxic compounds.
- Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well tolerated in limited amounts. Few side effects have been reported.
- Flaxseed may be unsafe during pregnancy as it may have mild hormonal effects, but there is no reliable research on flaxseed’s effects on pregnancy outcomes. Some research suggests that flaxseed oil taken in the second or third trimester of pregnancy may increase the chance of premature births. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use flaxseed while breastfeeding.
- Flaxseed, like any fiber supplement, should be taken with plenty of water, as it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, cause an intestinal blockage. Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil can cause diarrhea.
Keep in Mind
- Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
