Flax Oil Health Benefits

Flax oil, technically known as flaxseed oil, is made from the seeds of the flax plant. It has become an incredibly popular dietary supplement as more and more research has demonstrated the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. According to the Mayo Clinic, flax oil is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids. More research is needed to fully understand the health benefits of flax oil, but preliminary studies suggest that it may be a great addition to your diet. Always talk to your doctor before you start taking any new nutritional supplements.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), people who eat a diet rich in ALA are less likely to have a heart attack than those who don't regularly consume this fatty acid. Flax oil is one of the best dietary sources of ALA. Researchers are not quite sure why ALA may reduce the risk of heart attack, but they believe that it may act to reduce inflammation in the arteries and improve platelet function.

Evidence also suggests that flax oil may help reduce cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, by helping the body more effectively absorb cholesterol. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), several human studies have shown reductions in total and LDL cholesterol after dietary supplementation with flax oil. However, other studies have shown no effect, so more research is needed.

Several studies have also indicated that flaxseed oil may be beneficial in treating dry, irritated skin or other skin disorders. A study conducted at Heinrich Heine University in Germany showed that women who took flaxseed oil for 12 weeks reported less skin dryness and redness than women who took a placebo. In addition, Dr. Bill Sears from the University of California Irvine has found that flaxseed oil may also be successful in treating the symptoms of eczema.

In one study reviewed by the NIH, flax oil was shown to decrease the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A lack of unsaturated fatty acids in the diet may play a role in the development of ADHD, and supplementation with flaxseed oil may be recommended for this condition in the future. However, the NIH would like to see more studies on this connection before it makes any recommendations about the use of flax oil for ADHD.

Flax oil may also be a useful addition to your diet if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, flax oil may help ease some of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, like stiff and painful joints. The fatty acids in flax oil are thought to help lubricate the joints and reduce inflammation.