Flaxseed Oil Health Benefits

Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil is the oil extracted from the dried, ripe seeds of the flaxseed plant. Flaxseed oil is usually clear or slightly yellowish in color. The scientific name of flaxseed or linseed plant is Linum usitatissimum, which is a member of the genus Linum and the plant family, Linaceae. Flaxseed oil is widely used as a supplement, mainly due to the fact that it contains essential fatty acids known as, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids should be 1:2 in a healthy diet. But, modern American diet contains too much of omega-6 fatty acids in comparison to omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil contains more omega-3 fatty acids, which is why it can help to balance the amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. Apart from this, flaxseed oil is supposed to have many other health benefits. The various types of flaxseed oil health benefits are discussed below.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

As mentioned already, flaxseed oil contains essential fatty acids, that our body cannot synthesize on its own. It contains omega-3 essential fatty acid, known as alpha linoleic acid. Alpha linoleic acid is the precursor to two other omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are the fatty acids that can be found in fish oil, and most of the health benefits of fish oil are attributed to the presence of these two fatty acids.

Both EPA and DHA are known for their immense benefits for the heart and the cardiovascular system. Apart from the cardiovascular system, the immune system, circulatory system, the joints and cartilage of the body and even the nervous system can benefit from flaxseed oil. The most important and noteworthy flaxseed oil health benefits are described below.

• Flaxseed oil is the richest source of omega-3 essential fatty acids among the various vegetable oils. This oil can lower the level of cholesterol, especially the bad LDL cholesterol in blood. The level of triglycerides can also be lowered by flaxseed oil.
• By lowering the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, flaxseed oil can boost the health of the heart and the cardiovascular system.
• This oil can help to prevent the development of atherosclerosis, which is one of the most important flaxseed oil benefits. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits within the arterial wall and is an important risk factor for heart and cardiovascular diseases.
• Sufficient intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids may prove helpful in regulating the level of blood pressure. So, flaxseed oil can be beneficial for individuals having hypertension as well.
• Flaxseed oil can also provide protection against conditions like, angina.
• Omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties, for which flaxseed oil can help to control inflammatory conditions like, lupus, gout and arthritis.
• Flaxseed oil can also be beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease. This oil can help to reduce the inflammation of the intestine and promote its healing.
• Flaxseed oil can help to alleviate symptoms like, dry eyes associated with the autoimmune condition, Sjogren's syndrome.
• Due to the presence of essential fatty acids, flaxseed oil can prove very effective in alleviating skin conditions like, eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. These are the main flaxseed oil benefits for skin. In addition to these, this oil can promote the growth of healthy hair and nail as well.

Apart from these, flaxseed oil can be immensely beneficial for women. The important flaxseed oil benefits for women include, improvement in uterine functions, regular menstrual cycle, alleviation or reduction of menopausal symptoms and reduction of the risks of breast cancer.

Possible Side Effects of Flaxseed oil

The side effects of flaxseed oil are not very serious. A few minor side effects of flaxseed oil include, diarrhea and bloating, which can be experienced if this oil is taken excessively. Some people can be allergic to flaxseed, and therefore, can experience allergic reactions after using this oil. Individuals having bleeding disorders, as well as those taking blood thinning medications should consult a physician before taking flaxseed oil, as this oil can raise the risk of bleeding in such individuals. Preliminary research on flaxseed oil has expressed a concern that its long term use may raise the risk of prostate cancer. However, this side effect has not been established till now. The effects of flaxseed oil on pregnant and breastfeeding women are not known with certainty and so, they should confirm with their physician before using this oil.

Hope by now, you have got a fair idea about flaxseed oil health benefits, as well as its side effects. Another interesting fact about flaxseeds is that they contain lignans. Lignans are phytoestrogens, which have many health benefits including, cancer prevention. However, the oil extracted from flaxseed usually does not contain lignans. But, lignans can be found in some brands of flaxseed oil, as these can be added during the production process. Flaxseed oil can be introduced to the diet in many ways, but this oil is not fit to be used as a cooking oil, as heating reduces its nutritional value.