Flaxseed oil and vitamin E are both natural substances that provide some similar health benefits. Both could potentially help in reducing your risks for heart disease and certain types of cancers. Although vitamin E is an essential nutrient that your body requires for many important functions, flax and flaxseed oil aren't considered essential substances. Before you begin taking vitamin E or flax oil, discuss possible health risks, side effects and drug interactions with your doctor.
Function
Vitamin E mainly acts as an antioxidant in your body, combating harmful substances called free radicals. Vitamin E's antioxidant effects protect your body's cells from death or DNA damage, and also helps your body to utilize vitamin K and form red blood cells. Flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linonlenic acid, or ALA, which your body converts into docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. Omega-3 fatty acids help your body to control inflammation, along with promoting overall health.
Benefits
Both vitamin E and flaxseed oil may help reduce your risks for heart disease and cancer. Additionally, flaxseed oil could potentially help in treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bipolar disorder, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Flaxseed oil could help support a healthy pregnancy as well. Vitamin E supplementation can help protect against photodermatitis and sunburns, prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease, ease menstrual pain, support eye health, reduce the risk for diabetes complications, prevent preeclampsia and treat tardive dyskinesia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking vitamin E supplements can help in treating anemia and epilepsy in children and improve immune function in elderly individuals, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Talk with your doctor before taking vitamin E or flaxseed oil for any health purpose.
Considerations
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that you must consume fats to absorb it properly. Theoretically, taking vitamin E with flaxseed oil could increase your absorption of the vitamin. Also, flaxseed oil is often manufactured with vitamin E because the vitamin helps keep the oil from spoiling when exposed to heat, light and oxygen.
Warning
Both vitamin E and flaxseed oil supplements can pose some health risks for certain people. Do not take it at the same time as other supplements or drugs without an OK from your doctor. Flax oil could also increase your fasting blood-sugar levels, which may lead to an increased demand for blood sugar lowering medications for treating diabetes. Vitamin E could increase the severity of respiratory infections in elderly people and the risk for heart failure in people with diabetes or heart disease, says the University of Michigan Health System. Risks associated with vitamin E supplementation are most common when you take very high doses over long periods.
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