Background
The alpha-linolenic acid and other chemicals in flaxseed oil seem to decrease swelling, which is why some people use it for conditions that involve inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Flaxseed oil is used for heart disease, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Flaxseed oil has different effects than whole or ground flaxseed. See Flaxseed for more information.
Safety Safety definitions
When applied to the skin: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when used short-term. Flaxseed oil has been used safely on the wrist for up to 4 weeks.
When applied into the eye: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when applied into the eye short-term. Eye drops containing flaxseed oil have been used safely for up to 3 months. Redness and itching may occur in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 6 weeks during pregnancy. But using flaxseed oil during the second or third trimester has been linked with an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if flaxseed oil is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe for children when taken by mouth, short-term. Flaxseed oil has been safely taken by mouth for up to 3 months by children about 7-8 years old.
Surgery: Flaxseed oil might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
- Bipolar disorder. Taking flaxseed oil by mouth doesn't seem to improve symptoms of mania or depression in children with bipolar disorder.
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking flaxseed oil by mouth doesn't seem to reduce cholesterol.
- Obesity. Taking flaxseed oil by mouth doesn't reduce body weight, body mass index, or waist size in overweight adults.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Taking flaxseed oil by mouth daily doesn't seem to improve symptoms of pain and stiffness in people with RA.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Ezetimibe (Zetia)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid. Taking flaxseed oil and ezetimibe together can prevent the body from absorbing alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil. If you are taking ezetimibe, talk to your doctor before taking flaxseed oil.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Flaxseed oil might lower blood pressure. Taking flaxseed along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Flaxseed oil might slow blood clotting. Taking flaxseed along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Flaxseed oil might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Linum usitatissimum (Flaxseed) ext. 125 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 50 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 7.5 mg equiv. riboflavin 5.63 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 5.36 mg equiv. pyridoxine 3.42 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. 200 mg
- Choline bitartrate 100 mg
- Potassium iodide 100 μg equiv. iodine 74.9 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 93.3 μg equiv. molybdenum 62.5 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.2 mg equiv. zinc 10.1 mg
- Reynoutria japonica ext. 20 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 216.1 μg equiv. folinic acid 200 μg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250 μg
- Curcuma longa ext. 32 mg
- Selenomethionine 187.5 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 400 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 1 g
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 333 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 333 mg
- Inulin (Dietary fibre) 800 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 3 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium lactis 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium longum 1 billion CFU
- Cynara scolymus powder 500 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 200 mg
- Malus (Apple) 200 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf & sprout) powder (Kale) 100 mg
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple) 240 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 67 mg
- Beta glucan 50 mg
- Resveratrol 10 mg
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple oil) 65 mg
- Oryza sativa (Rice bran) 500 mg
- Pea protein isolate 1 g
- R-alpha lipoic acid 67 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 400 µg
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 5.3 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 567 µg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 434 µg
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) 1.7 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 0.8 µg
- Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D) 3.8 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 333 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 100 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 8 mg
- Copper gluconate 225 µg
- Potassium phosphate dibasic 104 mg
- Folic acid 67 µg
- Biotin 10 µg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 14 mg
- Magnesium citrate 42 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 10 mg
- Chromium picolinate 10 µg
- Calcium citrate 132 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 1.4 mg
- Selenomethionine 30 µg
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 1.7 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 500 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis powder 68 mg
- Taraxacum officinale ext. 33 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 200 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra powder 67 mg
- Crataegus monogyna ext. 29 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 67 mg
- Vitis vinifera ext. 67 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 67 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum powder 21 mg
- Lentinula edodes powder 21 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 500 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 67 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 1 g
- Centella asiatica ext. 67 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 67 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 67 mg
- Arctium lappa ext. 21 mg
- Rosa canina powder 168 mg
- Lycium barbarum 33 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 167 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 83 mg
- Carica papaya (Papain) 250 mg
- Lecithin 725 mg
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp) 8 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Thaumatin
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Xanthan gum
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 150 mg
- Malpighia glabra ext. 267 mg
- Theobroma cacao powder 100 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) flour (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Marine collagen peptides 250 mg
- Lepidium meyenii (root) powder
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR-32)
- Bifidobacterium longum (BL-05)
- Zinc
- Cannabis sativa powder 520 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 370 mg
- Wheatgrass powder
- Sunflower lecithin
- Citrus limon (juice) (Lemon)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Apple pectin
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Garcinia mangostana (fruit) powder
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Carica papaya (fruit) powder
- Vaccinium macrocarpon (fruit) powder
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui berry)
- Silybum marianum powder
- Astragalus membranaceus (root) powder
- Equisetum arvense (herb) powder
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Camellia sinensis powder
- Withania somnifera (root) powder
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (root) powder
- Echinacea purpurea (root) powder
- Melissa officinalis powder
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf) powder
- Zingiber officinale (root) powder
- Rosa canina powder
- Vaccinium myrtillus (fruit) powder
- Ulmus rubra (bark) powder
- Mushroom powder
- Kakadu plum powder
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Panax ginseng powder
- Curcuma longa (root) powder
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf)
- Thaumatin
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Protease
- Phyllanthus emblica (fruit) powder
- Morindae officinalis (fruit) powder
- Marine algae
- Malpighia glabra (fruit) powder
- Medicago sativa 200 mg
- Sambucus nigra (fruit)
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
- Hordeum vulgare powder 200 mg
- Salvia hispanica (seed) powder
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 1.58 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 1.58 billion CFU
- Pea protein isolate 9.4 g
- Marine algae 500 mg
- Sunflower lecithin 200 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 100 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 100 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 100 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 100 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 100 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 40 mg
- Ribes nigrum powder 200 mg
- Vitis vinifera powder 200 mg
- Malpighia glabra powder 100 mg
- Lycium chinese powder 100 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 100 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 50 mg
- Taraxacum officinale powder 30 mg
- Apple pectin 200 mg
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium) 100 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 70 mg
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 30 mg
- R,S-alpha lipoic acid 20 mg
- Beta glucan 11.5 mg
- Dunaliella salina 8 mg
- Lutein 2 mg
- Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids) 400 µg
- Potassium phosphate dibasic
- Magnesium gluconate
- Calcium citrate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Zinc gluconate
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Thaumatin
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Manganese gluconate
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Selenomethionine
- Retinyl palmitate
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Folate
- Chromium picolinate
- Cholecalciferol
- Fucus vesiculosus powder 97 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana powder
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)
- Copper gluconate
- Calendula officinalis powder
- Biotin
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 100 mg
- Carica papaya 50 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 100 mg
- Malus (fibre) powder (Apple) 963 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural caramel flavour
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2)
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha Inchi protein)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Cucurbita pepo (seed)
- Sunflower seed
- Millet
- Quinoa powder
- Chia (seed)
- Molasses (Cane juice)
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Natural flavours
- Medicago sativa
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) flour (Flaxseed)
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG))
- Bambusa vulgaris (fibre)
- Cichorium intybus (root) (Chicory)
- Malus (fibre) powder (Apple)
- Glucomannan powder
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium)
- Prunus domestica powder (Prune)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Apple pectin
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Pea protein isolate
- Malus (Apple)
- Apple pectin
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Sunflower lecithin
- Marine algae
- Wheatgrass powder
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Zingiber officinale
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Cynara scolymus
- Ribes nigrum
- Vitis vinifera
- Malpighia glabra
- Vaccinium myrtillus
- Camellia sinensis
- Rosa canina
- Centella asiatica
- Silybum marianum
- Rhodiola rosea
- Rosmarinus officinalis
- Withania somnifera
- Taraxacum officinale
- Lycium chinese (berry)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract
- R,S-alpha lipoic acid
- Beta glucan
- Ubiquinol-10 (Coenzyme Q10)
- Dunaliella salina
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Potassium phosphate dibasic
- Magnesium citrate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Zinc citrate
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Selenomethionine
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Retinyl palmitate
- Cholecalciferol
- Copper gluconate
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Folate
- Chromium picolinate
- Panax ginseng
- Fucus vesiculosus
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf)
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)
- Biotin
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Lentinula edodes (fruiting body)
- Ulmus rubra (bark inner) powder
- Hordeum vulgare
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium)
- Theobroma cacao
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Manganese gluconate
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2)
- Fallopia japonica
- Amylase enzyme
- Protease
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Bacopa monnieri
- Salvia officinalis
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Medicago sativa
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Green banana
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Malpighia glabra
- Beta vulgaris
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Lycium chinese
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Apple pectin
- Rubus idaeus (berry)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Lycopersicon esculentum
- Arctic sea algae
- Sea salt
- Sunflower seed extract
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Malus (Apple)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Natural flavours
- Silybum marianum
- Equisetum arvense
- Centella asiatica
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Melissa officinalis
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Zingiber officinale (root)
- Withania somnifera
- Aloe barbadensis (leaf)
- Panax ginseng
- Pumpkin powder
- Sweet potato powder
- Sunflower seed
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Grifola frondosa (mushroom)
- Lentinula edodes (mushroom)
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Mesquite (pod) powder
- Thaumatin
- Prunus salicina (Queen Garnet plum)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Pea protein isolate
- Vaccinium corymbosum powder
- Rubus idaeus powder
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
- Natural flavours
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium)
- Sunflower seed
- Quinoa powder
- Amaranth powder
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-valine
- L-glutamine
- Levocarnitine (L-carnitine)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Fagopyrum esculentum powder
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Medicago sativa
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Chlorella vulgaris
- Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Spinacia oleracea
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Rubus idaeus
- Punica granatum
- Beta vulgaris
- Lycium barbarum
- Malpighia glabra
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Natural flavours
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Apple pectin
- Green banana starch
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30)
- Arctic sea algae
- Sea salt
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Sunflower seed extract
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Silybum marianum
- Centella asiatica
- Glycyrrhiza spp. (root)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Melissa officinalis
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Zingiber officinale (root)
- Aloe barbadensis (leaf)
- Panax ginseng
- Pumpkin powder
- Sweet potato powder
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Grifola frondosa
- Lentinula edodes
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Mesquite (pod) powder
- Thaumatin