Linseed oil, also called flaxseed oil, is manufactured from the seeds of a slender, erect and annual herb in Southeast Asia. It is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are thought to protect against breast cancer, study findings have suggested. If you have breast cancer, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian before using linseed oil supplements.
Breast Tumors
Linseed oil also contains lignans, antioxidant compounds that might reduce breast cancer risk by inhibiting the production of estrogen. Lignans can bind to estrogen receptors that lie inside the cells and mimic the action of estrogen in the human body, thereby inhibiting the formation of tumors in the breast, according to 2010 information from the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.
Clinical Trials
The results of observational trials have been mixed, but on balance suggest that higher regular linseed oil consumption is associated with reduced breast cancer, according to Colorado State University. In an observational study, eating muffins containing 25 g of linseed oil daily over a period of 40 days significantly reduced the growth of breast tumors in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
Therapeutic Dosage
The typical recommendation is 1 to 2 tbsp. or one to two capsules daily, according to the UMMC. People often use linseed oil in liquid form, which contains around 7 g of alpha-linoleic acid per 15 mL and approximately 130 calories. Use a dose of 7.2 g of linseed oil when it is intended as a substitute for fish oil.
Side Effects
Nutrients in linseed oil often interfere with the absorption and function of oral medications and other nutrients, so avoid the use of linseed oil when using prescription drugs. Linseed oil has blood-thinning properties and thus could increase the risk of bleeding if it is taken with prescription blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and warfarin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
