Giving your child flaxseed oil may provide him with essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which are often lacking in kids' diets; however, fish oil is often considered an even better source, and has been studied more. Omega-3 can help improve learning and development, attention span and calm behavior, which is why it's often recommended for children with ADHD. Taken in normal doses, flaxseed oil is usually safe, but, like with any supplementation, there can be some side effects.
Diarrhea
Flaxseed oil is a laxative, and is often used for that purpose. As a result, taking too much of it can cause diarrhea, loose stools or gas.
Constipation
While many people who take flaxseed oil find their bowels working better than before, some become constipated instead. If your child has schleroderma, which is a systemic sclerosis, bowel obstruction could be a problem, so flaxseed oil should not be taken.
Bleeding
It's highly unlikely, but bleeding can occur if flaxseed oil is taken in high doses. That includes cuts that don't stop bleeding, easy bruising, or black or tarry stools. Signs of bleeding in the brain, which can be caused by a hemorrhagic stroke, include severe headache, changes in vision or speech, and numbness or weakness in one of your child's limbs. These are rare but very serious side effects which should be brought to the attention of a doctor immediately.
Allergic Reaction
If your child is allergic to flaxseed oil, she may experience a reaction to taking it. This can include hives, itching, a rash, swelling, wheezing or difficulty swallowing.
Inflammation
Flaxseed oil is often used to reduce inflammation; however, it may also increase inflammation in some cases. If you notice any unexplained swelling anywhere on your child's body, contact her doctor.
Medication Interaction
Flaxseed oil may adversely interact with some medications; check with your child's doctor before giving it to your child. It can slow down the absorption of some medications and other supplements that are taken orally, and as a result, the nutrients your child can receive from vitamins or mineral supplements, and the benefits from her medication, can be reduced. To prevent these interactions, never give her flaxseed oil at the same time as any other supplements or medications.
If your child has diabetes and takes medication to control his blood sugar level, such as insulin, flaxseed oil may affect how big a dose is required. Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin are also affected by flaxseed oil; the oil may increase their effectiveness, but supervision from a doctor is recommended.
Fatty Acid Conversion
Flaxseed oil, also called linseed oil, is high in the Omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is often found in vegetable-based sources. It's then converted into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are forms of Omega-3 that are more readily used by our bodies. If your child has diabetes or schizophrenia, he may not be able to convert ALA to EPA and DHA, so he'd be better off taking a supplement that already contains those Omega-3 sources, such as fish oil.
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