Flax is a plant source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. Flaxseed oil and flaxseeds have been popular nutritional supplements since the 1980s and are marketed as a natural remedy for many conditions and diseases. Few studies have examined the safety of flaxseed use in humans, but the Mayo Clinic's guide to drugs and supplements notes that flax products have been well tolerated and that people have used them without significant reports of side effects.
You should speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new therapy, including using supplements, and consult your doctor immediately if you experience side effects.
Gastrointestinal
Because flaxseed may act as a laxative, some people taking it may suffer from abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, gas or increased bowel movements. Check with your doctor if you experience any of these common side effects when using flaxseed. If you have been diagnosed or have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, you should not use flaxseed, according to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website.
Respiratory
Contact your doctor or another medical professional immediately if you experience side effects such as difficulty breathing or chest tightness when using flaxseed, recommends the website Drugs.com.
Hormones
A study on the "Effect of Flax Seed Ingestion on the Menstrual Cycle" published in a 1993 "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" found that a woman's menstrual period might be altered if she consumes flaxseed products daily.
Because flaxseed has estrogen-like effects, it may result in a worsening of conditions such as uterine, ovarian and breast cancers; uterine fibroids; polycystic ovary syndrome; and endometriosis, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database of the National Institutes of Health. Women who have hormone-sensitive conditions should probably avoid using large amounts of flaxseed.
Skin
Get medical attention immediately if when using flaxseed or flaxseed oil you experience any of the severe side effects listed on Drugs.com, such as rash, hives or itchiness; swelling of the face, mouth, lips or tongue; or slightly blue, gray or dark purple skin discoloration.
Psychological
Taking flaxseed or flaxseed oil by mouth may cause a person with bipolar disorder to experience mania or hypomania, according to MayoClinic.com.
Blood Sugar
The MayoClinic.com website warns people with diabetes to talk to their doctor before taking flaxseed products, because the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and flaxseed oil may elevate blood-sugar levels.
Bleeding
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil may increase the risk of bleeding and cause a decrease in blood clotting. In a 2010 medbrief on the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee website, patients are advised to be cautious about or refrain from using flaxseed products if they have bleeding disorders, are using prescription drugs known to increase bleeding risk or are preparing to undergo surgery or medical and dental procedures.
Toxicity
Raw flaxseed or parts of the flaxseed plant can raise blood levels of cyanide, a toxic chemical. However, the Dietary Fiber Food website says that toxicity has not been reported if flaxseed is prepared properly and used at the recommended dose.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Effect of Flax Seed Ingestion on the Menstrual Cycle
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus: Flaxseed
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
- Dietary Fiber Food: Flax Seed: Safety Issues and Side Effects of Flax Seed
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