Researchers are not sure why the high-dose group did not have any changes. While flaxseed oil may have a positive effect in people with prediabetes, larger and more comprehensive studies are needed to make firm conclusions.

In one meta-analysis , flaxseed and its derivatives decreased circulating C-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation. However, these results were only present in adults who were obese. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , it is usually safe to consume flaxseed oil in limited amounts.

Possible adverse effects include:. There is little information on whether or not flaxseed oil is safe to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding. The United States Food and Drug Administration FDA do not regulate flaxseed oil as a dietary supplement.

If someone wants to take flaxseed oil for a specific health condition, it is best to talk to a doctor first to make sure there are no possible interactions with their current medications or treatments.

Flaxseed oil is sensitive to light and heat, so it is best to buy it in an opaque or dark glass bottle to protect it from the light and store it in a cool, dark place. The taste of flaxseed oil is mild. People can drink a spoonful straight or incorporate it into dips and sauces.

People can also use flaxseed oil instead of other oils or butter for cooking. Flaxseed oil is sensitive to heat, so cooking with it will change the nutritional properties. For those who do not want to add flaxseed oil to food, it is also available in capsule form as a supplement.

Flaxseed oil does not have the same nutritional value as whole flaxseeds. However, it is still a good source of ALA, which is one type of omega-3 fatty acid. Adverse effects are rare and typically mild.

Incorporating flaxseed oil into a healthful diet is fairly simple. It provides an omega-3 boost and may have some additional benefits, such as decreasing cholesterol and fighting inflammation. Flaxseed oil supplements are available in some health food stores and online. It can be hard to understand the relationships between lipoproteins, cholesterol, the diet, and a person's lifestyle.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What are the benefits of flaxseed oil? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What is flaxseed oil? Benefits Possible risks How to use Summary. How we vet brands and products Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

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Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest Flaxseed oil may reduce cholesterol and fight cancer. Benefits of flaxseed oil. Possible risks. Share on Pinterest Adverse effects of flaxseed oil can include gas and bloating.

How to use flaxseed oil. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Whether you choose whole or ground flaxseed, just keep it in a cool, dark place.

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A new study from Iowa State University's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center NWRC may give men a way to combat high cholesterol without drugs -- if they don't mind sprinkling some flaxseed into their daily diet.

Suzanne Hendrich, an ISU professor in food science and human nutrition, led a study that examined the effects of flaxseed lignan in 90 people diagnosed with high cholesterol. The results showed that consuming at least milligrams of flaxseed lignans per day about three tablespoons decreased cholesterol in men, but not women, by just under 10 percent over the three months that they were given the flaxseed.

While Hendrich admits that's considerably less than the expected outcome from cholesterol-lowering drugs -- approximately 10 to20 percent for three months, depending on the individual -- it's still enough to make flaxseed a more natural option for some men.

So this potentially would be something to consider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17 percent of Americans suffer from high blood cholesterol -- a fat-like substance found in the body that can clog arteries and contribute to heart disease.

Hendrich developed the study with ISU master's student Kai Ling Kong and doctoral graduates Zhong Ye, Xianai Wu, and Sun-Ok Lee to determine whether the main lignan in flaxseed, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, could lower cholesterol.

They'll be presenting results of the research at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting at Experimental Biology , April , in Anaheim, Calif.

The study's 90 subjects -- which included twice as many men as women -- all had high cholesterol, but no other underlying health conditions. The participants were divided into three groups and were randomly assigned to daily consume tablets that contained zero, , or milligrams of flaxseed lignans for 12 weeks.

It's the flaxseed lignans -- a group of chemical compounds found in plants that are known for their protective health effects -- that may help lower cholesterol, according to Hendrich. These compounds are converted to their bioactive forms by gut microbes.

Hendrich reports that they made a healthy conversion in the subjects in this study, with no adverse health consequences. While the study found that the flaxseed lignans lowered cholesterol in men, it did not produce a significant change in women.

It's really hard to know why [there was no effect in women] and whether these substances are counteracting, possibly, some testosterone in men, which of course women don't have.

It's definitely something we'd like to investigate further. Hendrich reports the flaxseed lignan tablets used in this study are not currently available in the U. to her knowledge. In the absence of tablets, she says flaxseed can also be sprinkled on cereal, or added in a muffin mix or bread, although whole seeds are not very digestible.

Ground flaxseed meal can also provide the desired cholesterol-lowering lignans, according to Hendrich, but it will oxidize over time and could potentially affect the flavor of the foods that it's in. She points out that the oxidation of the product also would diminish the flaxseed's omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent heart attacks, so freshness is important in the product's impact.

The ISU researcher hopes to publish the study in a professional journal. Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fibre.

Two tablespoons of flaxseed provides about 4 g of total dietary fibre — a significant amount to boost your daily fibre intake! What is the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids? A: The Institute of Medicine set the Adequate Intake of ALA at 1.

No recommended intake level has been set by the Institute of Medicine for the omega-3 fatty acids EPA or DHA. The reason for this is that ALA is the only true "essential" omega-3 fatty acid in our diet.

An essential nutrient like ALA is one that must be obtained from foods because our bodies cannot make it. Because EPA and DHA can be made from ALA, they are not considered "essential" nutrients in the strictest sense.

Eating 5 g of flaxseed oil less than a tablespoon or 8 g of milled flaxseed one tablespoon daily provides enough ALA to meeting the Adequate Intake. How does flaxseed benefit athletes and sports training? A: The omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic ALA , is an essential fatty acid found in flaxseed that helps to improve the metabolism of fats, which is especially helpful for endurance sports, such as marathons.

When a runner "hits the wall" and their glycogen stores are used up, the body begins burning fats. In this case, efficient burning of fats makes a difference in performance. ALA also improves response time. Electrical impulses move from the brain to muscles across cell membranes, which are rich in ALA when consumed in the diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as ALA, are the most efficient fatty acids in allowing these electrical impulses to move from cell to cell. Thus, response time is improved. ALA also aids in muscle repair at the cellular level. Omega-3 fatty acids present on the cell membrane significantly affect the speed and quality of tissue repair.

How does flaxseed promote healthy, radiant skin? A: Flaxseed has a unique and healthy fatty acid profile in the oil with 57 percent as ALA, giving the seed a very favourable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 0.

Flaxseed therefore provides a very important source of omega-3 for skin health. Flaxseed naturally contains a very active and stable antioxidant system that protects its oil content of ALA. The antioxidant system in flaxseed represents the interaction of a group of compounds working synergistically.

Flaxseed contains several bioactive compounds such as lignans, phenolic acids, anthocyanin pigments, several flavonols and flavones, and phytic acid — all known to have antioxidant activity.

These powerful antioxidants can reduce the activity of cell-damaging free radicals that are generated through oxidation in the body and thus, can help protect the skin from damage.

I've heard that I need to grind whole flaxseed. Why is that? A: While whole and ground flaxseed have the same nutritional content your body gets more benefit from ground flaxseed.

That's because the goodness in flaxseed is wrapped up in a hard, shiny seed coat that's hard to crack, even with careful chewing. Grinding or roasting flaxseed breaks this seed coat making all the nutrients easier to digest. Flaxseeds are easy to grind at home using a coffee grinder, food processor or blender.

You also can buy ground or "milled" flaxseed in most stores where whole flaxseed is sold. Is there a difference between flaxseed and flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil is the purified fat that results from the cold-pressing of flaxseeds. Because it is the fat portion of the seed, it contains high levels of omega-3 ALA percent on a per weight basis in comparison to percent from whole or milled seed.

Flaxseed oil doesn't have the fibre and protein found in the rest of the seed. What is flaxseed oil and what types are available? A: Flaxseed oil results from pressing the oil from the seed.

There are two types of flaxseed oil available — conventional and organic. These types of flaxseed oil differ in the way the seed is grown, but the nutritional content is the same. How much flaxseed should I eat each day? A: To get the full health benefits of flaxseed, we recommend eating 2 tablespoons about 16 g of ground flaxseed per day.

If you are concerned about, or have been diagnosed with, high blood cholesterol levels, Health Canada recommends eating 5 tablespoons 40 g of ground whole flaxseed over three eating occasions in the day.

When using ground flaxseed, because of its high fibre content, increase the amount you eat slowly, starting with about one-half to one tablespoon per day and working up to the higher levels. Is flaxseed safe for children and toddlers?

A: Flaxseed is a natural plant source of vital nutrients and is considered safe for healthy people of all age groups. We recommend no more than one-quarter tablespoon daily for young children.

What is the nutrient profile of ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil? A detailed nutrient breakdown of flaxseed and its oil is found in the below table. How can I add flaxseed into my diet? A: Flaxseed is added to many products on today's grocery shelves because of the omega-3 fats, lignans, and fibre found in the seed, all of which help deliver a unique and nutritious health boost that aids in overall wellness.

Here are some ways to use flax:. Can omegaenriched eggs help me meet the recommended dietary intake for ALA? A: Hens are fed flaxseed to produce omegaenriched eggs.

One omegaenriched egg provides on average 0. By itself, one omegaenriched egg provides about one-quarter to one-half of the Adequate Intake of ALA, depending on your age and gender.

If eaten on a regular basis, omegaenriched eggs make a substantial contribution to your need for omega-3 fatty acids. While the omega-3 content may vary substantially between different brands, the caloric value and protein content of omegaenriched eggs are similar to that of regular eggs.

Is flaxseed organic? A: There are a few companies that offer organically grown flaxseed, labeling the seeds and oils with an "organic" symbol.

The "organic" symbol is a mark which is earned when companies have met the requirements of organic food production. You can expect to pay a premium for organic flaxseed.

Any flaxseed that you buy from a reputable retailer is perfectly safe to eat, organic or not. Is flaxseed genetically modified?

Genetically modified flaxseed is not legal for sale in Canada or the US. Although a genetically modified flaxseed variety was developed in the s, the variety has been deregistered and ordered destroyed. Can I eat too much flaxseed? A: While flaxseed provides numerous health benefits, it is possible to get too much of a good thing.

Cooking or baking with flaxseed is a perfectly safe practice. However, when raw flaxseed is added in large quantities to diets that do not contain a healthy mix of foods, health problems can develop. Like thousands of other plant seeds, flaxseed contains moderate amounts of natural compounds called cyanogenic glucosides.

In an unbalanced diet containing too much uncooked flaxseed, cyanogenic compounds can build up in the body, leading to unpleasant and, on occasion, life-threatening reactions. Such a buildup has been documented in populations relying solely on a staple such as cassava in their diet.

In these cases, the illness-causing deposits were not blocked by enzymes supplied by other foods in the diet. A balanced diet containing 50 g approximately ¼ cup of flaxseed daily does not increase glucoside buildup.

In addition, cyanogenic compounds are made harmless by cooking. I am on blood thinners. A: Warfarin brand name Coumadin® is a common medication used to prevent blood clots.

Since warfarin can interact with some foods and over-the-counter supplements, it is important to tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements that you take. Vitamin K is one of the nutrients with which warfarin can interact. For people taking warfarin, better control of blood clotting is achieved when dietary vitamin K intake remains fairly constant from day to day.

The Institute of Medicine has set the Adequate Intake value for vitamin K at µg per day for males and 90 µg per day for females. Flaxseed contains 4. The omega-3 alpha-linolenic content of flaxseed oil has also been suggested to affect the international normalized ratio INR; a measure of blood clotting when taking warfarin.

However, the research is limited and the amount that may pose a risk is uncertain. If you are taking warfarin, it is best to keep your diet as consistent as possible each day. Flaxseed is a healthy addition to the diet of patients taking warfarin, but should be consumed in moderation and a similar amount should be eaten daily.

Patients on warfarin are encouraged to have their INR monitored regularly and to speak with their healthcare professional before making any substantial dietary changes.

I have diverticular disease. A: Diverticulosis is the formation of tiny pockets, called diverticula, in the wall of the large intestine. Many people with diverticulosis do not even know that they have it.

However, some people experience symptoms due to diverticular bleeding or diverticulitis infection of the diverticula. In the past it was recommended that people with diverticulosis avoid seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn because it was believed these foods might get caught in the diverticula.

However, research shows that these foods may actually protect against diverticulitis. Thus, flaxseed is generally considered safe for people with diverticular disease. A high fibre diet is recommended for people with diverticulosis.

Katherine Zeratsky , a Mayo Clinic dietitian, says flaxseed is high in healthy fat, vitamins and minerals. But that's not all. Most Americans don't get enough fiber.

Zeratsky says fiber is for digestion and heart health. And for people with diabetes, it can help regulate their blood glucose. Try adding it to your smoothies. And if you like the taste and the texture, without overdoing the calories, [that] is a good way to start.

Whether you choose whole or ground flaxseed, just keep it in a cool, dark place.