Welcome back! Last week, we talked about complaining and how it can affect brain function. If you missed that blog and would like to catch up, click HERE.
This week, we are going to talk about flaxseed. While there are numerous reasons to take flaxseed or flaxseed oil, there are also some precautions that you don’t often hear about. Let’s talk about those today…
Let’s start with the facts
What exactly is flaxseed?
Flaxseed is a plant-based food that provides healthful fat, antioxidants, and fiber. It can provide many health benefits. People grew flax as a crop in ancient Egypt and China. In Asia, it has had a role in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Today, flaxseed is available in the form of seeds, oils, powder, tablets, capsules, and flour.
What is flaxseed made up of?
The nutrients in flaxseed include lignin, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), or Omega-3.
Why is it touted as a good thing to eat?
Because there are a lot of things that flaxseed can impact within our bodies. Research has indicated it can reduce the risk of cancer, The American Heart Association states it improves cholesterol and heart health, The arthritis foundation believes it helps reduce joint pain and stiffness, research has indicated it may reduce hot flashes, and improve blood sugar levels, and ongoing testing is looking good for it to reduce the impacts of radiation.
But wait, there’s more!
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a tablespoon of ground flaxseed weighing just 7g contains:
Energy: 37.4 calories
Protein: 1.28 grams
Fat: 2.95 grams
Carbohydrate: 2.02 grams
Fiber: 1.91 Grams
Calcium: 17.8 mg
Magnesium: 27.4 mg
Phosphorus: 44.9 mg
Potassium: 56.9 mg
Folate: 6.09 Micrograms (mcg)
Lutein and zeaxanthin: 45.6 mcg
A teaspoon of flaxseed also contains traces of various vitamins and minerals, but not in significant quantities. It also provides lignin, tryptophan, lysine, tyrosine, and valine, as well as healthful fats, which are mostly unsaturated.
A warning
People should try to avoid whole flaxseed and eat it ground as the intestines may not absorb the nutrients in whole flaxseed.
Red Flag Warning
Even after these many benefits, it does have its portion of disadvantages. Flax seeds or flaxseed oil cannot be consumed with certain medicines and people having some medical conditions. The side effects of flax seeds with them can lead to adverse reactions which can be very harmful for the health.
Flax seeds interfere with the absorption of medication in the body, which reduces the effect of medicine and has different side effects. Side effects depend on the type of medication you have taken. Not only has this flaxseed oil also made the person with certain medical conditions more severe as it does not let medicines work.
Which medications?
- Blood thinners
- Aspirin
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen
- Insulin
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Medicines that alter estrogen levels
- Medicines that are for constipation
- Blood pressure lowering medical drugs
Are there any other issues with taking it?
Yes. If you have the following medical issues, you may want to rethink taking flaxseed:
People Suffering from Intestinal Conditions
Those who have any problem regarding their intestines should avoid taking flaxseeds. If people with such conditions consume flaxseed oil, then it can increase their bowel movements. Not only this, it can even lead to diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Hence it is best for people to stay away from flaxseeds if they have intestinal problems.
Patients of Scleroderma
It is a long-lasting disease that affects your skin, tissues, and internal organs. This disease has its effect on the lungs and kidneys. Taking flaxseeds or consuming flaxseed oil in excessive amounts without any liquid can lead to intestinal blockage. This can be very dangerous for patients suffering from scleroderma.
Expectant Mothers
Women who are trying to conceive should avoid taking flaxseeds. Flaxseeds can actually induce the menstrual cycle as it affects the estrogen levels in the body. Women who are having flaxseeds can pose problems while conceiving and may not be able to conceive too even after trying hard. Therefore expecting mothers should be very aware of what they are eating.
Having Allergic Reactions
There are chances that eating flaxseeds can cause allergies in some people. But it is mostly when you consume it in excessive amounts. So it is kind of a side-effect that happens on the body. People can suffer from swelling, redness, hives, vomiting, itching, and nausea if they ingest too much of these seeds.
Medicinal Hazards
Flaxseeds even after being so healthy can actually be harmful in some conditions. As mentioned above flaxseeds absorbs medicinal qualities and can also block the digestive tract. This can cause several health conditions which can impact the health of a person.
Blood Pressure
Well, it is true that it does help in lowering blood pressure but it cannot go with any other medical supplements. If you are consuming flaxseeds or flaxseed oil then you can’t take medication for the same or for even some other medical conditions. Taking medicines along with flaxseed can have an adverse effect on your health.
This is a list of those medical conditions which does get affected by flaxseeds but can be regulated in some. If you have these medical conditions then you must consult your doctor before taking flax seeds or flaxseed oil. The health conditions include-
- Bleeding conditions
- Bowel obstruction
- Diverticulitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Inflammatory Bowel movements
- Low blood pressure
- Prostate cancer
- Underactive thyroid
I’ve heard it contains cyanide
It does, but in all of my research, and I did do a ton of research on this topic, I couldn’t find anything to substantiate the belief that flaxseed has dangerously high amounts of cyanide in it, and you’re unlikely to find high amounts in the flaxseed you would buy at the store.
At the end of the day
Please, I’m begging you, before you start a new dietary routine, check with your doctor. If you don’t think they are able to direct you, find a naturopathic doctor or a nutritionist. You should undergo a review of your body, your medications, your diagnosis, and your eating habits before adding a new routine to your daily plan.
Be safe. Be well.
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As always, this blog is not a replacement for sound medical advice. I am not a doctor. Please make an appointment to see your healthcare provider and put a good plan in place that works for you and the needs of your body.
That’s all I have for you this week, dear reader. I’ll see you back here next Wednesday to share another cup of coffee. Until then, be good to yourself and each other.
Mind, Body, Spirit…Osteopathic Doctors treat the whole person, not just the ailment. Is your PCP a DO? Would you like to learn more about Osteopathic Physicians? Click HERE!
I have not seen any Greger video or blog discussing these warnings. He would not be promoting the use of the processed flax seed oil as this blog combines them in the same sentence. I trust that if there was evidence to back up the claims of this blog about the dangers of flax seeds that Dr. Greger would have taken it off his Daily Dozen list. So I would like to see the evidenced based peer reviewed articles on ground flax seeds (not flax seed oil) that support the claims in this blog. In the interim I will continue to encourage everyone (except those with a true allergy} to consider adding 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds to their daily intake regardless of their medical conditions or pill intake. Let me see the documentation before I make different recommendations.
Hi Dr. Ross,
I became interested in this during a visit with my friend who has breast cancer, and whose doctor warned her against taking flaxseed due to a hormone disruption. I found this to be of concern and noticed the Susan G. Komen foundation also put out an alert about it.https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/survivorship/complementary-therapies/flaxseed/#:~:text=Hormone%2Dsensitive%20cancers%20or%20conditions,have%20one%20of%20these%20conditions.
If you look for the concerns, they are there. I don’t know why Greger wouldn’t be letting people know, especially folks who take blood thinners, that there are some things to be aware of before taking flaxseed. This is why a doctor’s visit prior to ingesting is recommended.
Warmly, Linda Tate