Flaxseed Oil & Rosacea

Rosacea, a condition characterized by red patches across your nose and cheeks, is a common, yet non-life-threatening health complaint among Americans. The American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, states that over 14 million people in the United States have rosacea, and that many of these people are between the ages of 30 and 50 and possess Celtic or Scandinavian heritage. Before using flaxseed oil or other dietary supplements to help treat your rosacea, meet with your doctor to discuss all relevant treatment options.

About Rosacea

Rosacea can affect anyone, notes the National Rosacea Society, although people who possess fair skin and who tend to blush easily may be most commonly affected. The Society also notes that more women than men develop rosacea. The cause of this condition is unknown, but certain factors may play a role, states the AAD, including genetics and family history, immune system overreaction, H. pylori bacterial infection and the way in which your body processes protein.

Plant Information

The seeds of the flax plant, or Linum usitatissimum, are used to make oil that in turn is used for medicinal purposes. The flax plant is indigenous to the land between the Mediterranean region and India. Flax, an annual plant, possesses thin stems, slender leaves and pale blue flowers, and it can grow to a maximum height of about 4 feet. The fruit of the flax plant contains the seeds. Important nutrients contained in flaxseed oil include vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and E, essential fatty acids and amino acids.

Flaxseed Oil Actions and Uses

Flaxseed oil has long been used for medicinal purposes, including providing the essential fatty acids that are needed to help control your rosacea, notes certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Flaxseed possesses numerous beneficial health actions, including anti-inflammatory action, which is important in reducing the skin redness associated with this condition. More clinical research evidence may be needed to evaluate the efficacy of flaxseed oil in treating your rosacea.

Considerations

Rosacea may lead to certain health complications in some individuals, including rhinophyma -- an accumulation of tissue on or around your nose. In most cases, a combination of conventional allopathic treatment methods and complementary alternative measures may be optimal in treating this potentially stressful and embarrassing condition. To gain a better understanding of how flaxseed oil and other supplements may help treat your rosacea -- and to better understand the risks and limitations of supplements for this health purpose -- meet with a healthcare professional who specializes in clinical nutrition.