Flaxseed oil is probably safe for most people when consumed in normal amounts. You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
flaxseed oil (especially at high doses) if you:
- Have a bleeding disorder
- Have any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Are breastfeeding.
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Flaxseed Oil Safety Warnings and Precautions
Warnings and precautions to be aware of concerning the safety of flaxseed oil include the following:
- Theoretically, high doses of flaxseed oil could increase the risk of bleeding. This is especially important for people who are already at risk for bleeding, such as those with a bleeding disorder.
- Flaxseed oil does not provide all of the health benefits of flaxseed, since it does not contain the fiber and phytoestrogens found in the seeds.
- Flaxseed oil can interact with some medications (see Flaxseed Oil Drug Interactions for more information).
- Flaxseed oil is probably safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women when taken in normal food amounts (see Pregnancy and Flaxseed Oil and Flaxseed Oil and Breastfeeding).
