Of late, various seed oils are being assessed critically on their health benefits and their usage is being expanded accordingly. One such oil that has caught the eye of all health buffs across the globe is Linseed oil, which is much more typically known as flaxseed oil. However, some countries like America differentiate between the two. The benefits of linseed oil and benefits of flaxseed oil are nearly the same though.
What Is Flaxseed Oil?
Flaxseed oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is deemed fit for human consumption as the acids and related chemicals in it help to decrease inflammation. The benefits of flaxseed oil are plenty.
We throw light on every facet of this oil to better understand its benefits on our skin, hair and health.
Flaxseed Oil Nutrition Chart
Flaxseed oil is widely sought after for its incredibly high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids; alternate sources of which are fish and chicken. thus Linseed oil is highly recommended for vegetarians. For easy reference, we offer its nutrient chart below for the serving size of 1 tablespoon or 15 ml.
Amount Per Serving% daily Value
Calories120
Calories from Fat120
Total Fat14g – 22%**
Saturated Fat1.5g – 8%**
Polyunsaturated Fat10 g – Ɨ
Monounsaturated Fat2.5g – Ɨ
Flax Seed Oil typically includes Ɨ
Omega-3(Alpha-Linolenic Acid)7.6g – Ɨ
Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid)1.9g – Ɨ
Omega-9 (Oleic Acid)–
** Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Ɨ daily value not established
Apart from Omega 3 essential fatty acids, the oil has Lignans which are touted to have about 8000 times much more antioxidant properties that any other available plant derivatives.
Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed Oil has been used because centuries, especially in Mediterranean region for its remarkable benefits of health skin as well as hair. At this point, it needs to be stated that this oil is never cooked. The oil is best taken as drizzles over salads or for oral consumption. thanks to its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, making it a part of your daily diet is no torture! To reap its benefits, it is taken internally and even applied externally but never put on flame. For even more enlightening, Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Inglaterra here is the list of its benefits on our skin, hair and health.
[Also Read: Flax Seeds Weight Loss]
Benefits Of Flaxseed Oil For Skin
To reap the benefits of Flaxseed Oil, it can be easily added to skin care products like face wash, shower gels, moisturizers, sunscreen, face-packs etc. or simply be applied topically on any area. few of its leading benefits are:-
1. Healing of the skin
How it works– thanks to its high level of omega-3 fatty acids and high anti-inflammatory properties, linseed oil can accelerate the speed of wound healing and can easily reduce skin irritation, inflammation, redness or rashes if any.
How to use-Topically applying a few drops of Flaxseed Oil tobring in relief.
2. combating common skin problems
How it works– Acne, psoriasis etc. mostly erupts due to skin inflammation but the alpha-linolenic acid in the oil can efficiently take care of it.The omega-3 content of the oil nourishes the skin cells and boosts the immunity system. They open the clogged skin pores and facilitate and accelerate detoxification of the skin. The lignans of the oil are touted as asphytoestrogens which include anti-estrogenic properties. This aids in balancing the activity of the estrogen hormones which is the root cause of all skin problems. Trust Flaxseed Oil to kiss away all such woes!
How to use– The oil can be applied to the skin once or twice a week, kept for about 15 minutes and rinsed off well! The change in skin conditions is bound to leave you happy! You can also ingest its capsules daily or its loose oil as per recommended dosage to reap the benefits internally.
[Also Read: Flaxseed Oil for Moles Treatment]
1. Reduces cholesterol
How it works– Of all available oils in the market, linseed oil has the highest number of omega- 3 fatty acids. This is incredibly essential as it, along with fibers and lignan, lowers the bad cholesterol i.e. LDL as well as triglycerides level from the blood. The oil is abundant in both soluble and insoluble fibers. The soluble fibers also aid in blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the blood
How to use– Ingest the oil or its capsules daily as recommended by the producer or your doctor.
2. prevents cardiovascular diseases
How it works-Because of lowering the blood cholesterol as well as triglycerides level in the blood, the oil helps in controlling the blood pressure and all associated diseases of the heart. regular consumption of the oil reduces the risk of heart attack and strokes. often high level of triglycerides and cholesterol, lack of exercises, oxidative tension and various other elements result in clogged arteries. This affects the blood circulation and is the root cause of all heart conditions. regular consumption of the oil de-clogs them and keepsthem strong, elastic and flexible. It also helps promote regular heart beat. The oil is unrivaled in its cardio-protective abilities.
How to use– as per manufacturer’s or doctor’s instructions.
Source: freshdesignpedia.com3. Relieves inflammation
How it works– Inflammation is often triggered by the deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids which is the essential nutrient for combating it. The ALA and the lignans of the linseed oil decrease inflammation in the body by blocking the release of few pro-inflammatory agents. It also reduces the inflammation in the inner lining of the intestines.
How to use– as per manufacturer’s or doctor’s instructions.
4. maintains bowel health
How it works– With its high content of mucilage, linseed oil is an effective laxative and takes care of irregular bowel movements or constipation problems. Mucilage is a slimy compound which offers a protective covering to the digestive tract and provides a slimy effect. This makes the stool soft and easy to pass out of the body. Simultaneously, its fiber part helps in resolving diarrhea issues as well! The oil is known to cure various inflammatory bowel disorders like the colitis and Crohn’s disease.
How to use– as per the manufacturer’s or doctors recommended dosage.
5. improves digestive health
How it works– While the linseed oil does have less fibers than the seeds, it still regulates the bowel movement and makes the entire digestive system robust. It is especially helpful in avoiding colon cancer and any other colon disorders.
How to use– as per the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.
6. helps in weight loss
How it works- High content of healthy and dietary fats of linseed oil help in curbing your appetite and making you feel fuller for a longer period of time. It also enhances the building of muscle mass which tends to burn much more calories than fat. With its laxative effect and other benefits, it helps you shed quite a few pounds with no extra effort! It also helps fight the cellulite. With age, the collagen production decreases in the body and cellulites become much more prominent! However, linseed oil boosts collagen production which helps conceal the superficial fat and connective tissues i.e. cellulite.
How to use– as per the recommended dosage of the manufacturer.
7. Controls diabetes
How it works– research has shown that the high lignan content of the oil improves insulin sensitivity and thus helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels. A research had recognized that people who consumed linseed oil for 12 weeks exhibited a significant drop in their insulin resistance brought about by the reduction in oxidative tension by its high antioxidants.
How to use– as per the doctors’ prescribed dosage.
8. prevents arthritis
How it works– Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis often leads you to experience conditions like morning knee stiffness which can in some cases be painful. The omega-3 fatty acid helps to decrease the inflammation in the knee joint, decrease stiffness, pain etc and bring about relief in the knee joint.
How to use– The best dosage is crucial here and consulting a doctor for the same is a must.
9. prevents cancer
How it works– This is possibly the most significant benefit of linseed oil. Studies and research have recognized that the oil plays a significant role in lowering the risk of developing colon, prostate or breast cancer. The oil overflows with plant sterols known as They efficiently block the totally free radicals present in our body to convert health cells onto cancerous ones. Additionally, the oil’s lignan content has antigenic properties. Lignans efficiently block the enzymes involved in hormone production and inhibits growth and spread of cancer cells. This blocks the likeliness of having hormone related cancer.
How to use– Under the doctor’s supervision.
10. treats Sjogren’s Syndrome
How it works– Characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth, Sjogren’s syndrome is caused by the disorder of the immunity system. Studies have shown that regular consumption of the linseed oil prevents the eyes from drying up and developing the syndrome.
How to use– As prescribed by the doctor.
11. Reduces hot flashes and menstrual problems
How it works– Regular consumption of oil is known to decrease the hot flashes in women by half. The oil consumption is also known to decrease menstrual cramps as well as regularize menstruation. Cramps are caused due to release of prostaglandins in the blood. Omega 3 fatty acids can slow its release toan appreciable degree thereby bringing about relief. The oil is also effective against post-menopausal symptoms.
How to use– as per the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.
Now that we have seen the various benefits of flaxseed oil, let’s go even more to see if it has any major side effects.
Flaxseed Oil Side Effects
Though linseed oil is typically well tolerated, there have been a few side-effects reported about it. Thus, it is always advisable to speak with a doctor before consuming the oil. few of the known side effects of linseed oil are:-
1. Blood thinning precautions
Due to the effects of the omega-3 fatty acids, the blood platelets can become less sticky. This is helpful in avoiding blood clotting in arteries but can cause major consequences when taken with blood thinning prescription medications like the warfarin, clopidogrel or even daily aspirin. It strengthens the effect of the medications. If any person is experiencing continuous bleeding, the oil Camiseta Ajax ought to be immediately discontinued. If any medicine is being taken, it’s best to take the approval of doctor before consuming the oil. Its best to discontinue the oil intake atleast two to three weeks before a major surgery as it can increase the risk of bleeding.
2. Precaution for diabetics
Intake of a large dose of flaxseed oil can lower the blood sugar levels. This can turn serious when taken with diabetic medicines. thus the dosage and consent should be taken from a doctor before the oil is consumed by a diabetic patient.
3. Pregnancy
Otherwise incredibly beneficial for women, linseed oil is typically not recommended for pregnant women, especially in their second and third trimester. This is because the oil can cause premature birth. It is also not recommended during breast feeding because of its hormonal contributions though no study reports have been recognized yet.
4. Allergic reactions
Few people on consuming linseed oil complain of some allergic reactions like hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat etc. However, such instances are incredibly low.
5. Gastrointestinal problems
These are often manifested much more with consumption of flax seeds rather than linseed oil. However, few complain of symptoms like bloating, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, stomach ache etc. The symptoms typically surface if a person has taken a high dosage of linseed oil like 30 ml at one go. It is typically advisable to start with small dosages and then gradually proceed to the recommended dosage.
Precautions While Consuming Linseed Oil
While there is no fixed dosage of linseed oil yet, it is recommended to always start in small dose and then increase its consumption. This becomes especially crucial if your diet has been lacking omega-3 fatty acid earlier. too much of it can disturb its balance in the blood and cause complications.
Generally, one to two tablespoons of linseed oil once or twice daily is recommended. While it is available in capsule form, its bottled version is recommended. This is because the oil can turn rancid and it is not possible to ascertain it from its capsule form. Rancid oil can cause side-effects.
Only that oil that has been marked safe for human consumption ought to be consumed. This is because a part of flax seed is poisonous and includes traces of cyanide.
It is best to intake linseed oil in several small portions throughout the day instead of Camiseta Valencia one or two large doses.
An enhanced fluid and water intake is strongly recommended with consumption of linseed oil.
Women suffering from breast cancer, uterine or even ovarian cancer and endometriosis ought to consume the oil only under the strict supervision of a doctor as it can act like the estrogen hormone in the body.
Men with prostate cancer ought to not consume it as it has conflicting research about its effect on prostate cancer.
People suffering from bowel obstruction, narrowed esophagus or inflamed bowel ought to avoid the linseed oil as well as seed consumption as its high fiber content can make the situation worse.
People under any kind of medications should always speak with their doctor before consuming the oil because of its possible interactions.
Never take the oil if it has a bad smell or a foul taste. It implies that the oil has gone rancid and will have adverse effects.
The oil ought to not be consumed during cyclosporine (Sandimmune) therapy because its omega-3 fatty acid can cause adverse reactions despite decreasing the toxic side effects of the medicine in t