Flaxseed oil is commonly used as a supplement to promote heart health. This page from the eMedTV archives describes how flaxseed oil works, explores the effectiveness of these products, and explains what you should know before trying the supplement.
Flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that may provide a few different health benefits. This part of the eMedTV Web site explores the potential benefits of flaxseed oil and explains whether flaxseed oil products are helpful for children.
It is important to know that flaxseed oil does not provide all the health benefits of flaxseed. This eMedTV page explains what else you should know before using flaxseed oil. Safety warnings and precautions for flaxseed oil are also included here.
Many people wonder, "Does flaxseed oil work?" This segment from the eMedTV library explores the effectiveness of flaxseed oil for rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, heart disease, constipation, and menopause symptoms.
Potential side effects of flaxseed oil include diarrhea and loose stools. As this eMedTV page explains, side effects usually occur when you consume too much flaxseed oil. Problems that are potentially dangerous are also listed in this article.
Generally, a flaxseed oil "dosage" of one or two teaspoonfuls is recommended for a variety of uses. This eMedTV resource discusses reasonable flaxseed oil dosing guidelines and offers some safety precautions for using the product.
Warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel may cause drug interactions with flaxseed oil. This article on the eMedTV site describes the possible effects of flaxseed oil drug interactions and lists other products that may cause a negative interaction.
A flaxseed oil overdose may increase your risk of bleeding. As this eMedTV page explains, you should watch for any signs of bleeding if you have taken a large dose of flaxseed oil. These signs include easy bruising, tarry stools, and vomiting blood.
When consumed in normal amounts, flaxseed oil appears to be safe for pregnant women. This eMedTV article provides more information on pregnancy and flaxseed oil, and discusses the possible risks of taking high doses of flaxseed oil during pregnancy.
Not much research has been conducted on flaxseed oil and breastfeeding. As this eMedTV Web page explains, however, normal amounts of flaxseed oil are probably safe for use while breastfeeding. It is not known if higher doses are safe.
