Yes! While there are not many side effects of flaxseed oil you should become aware of the few that do exist. Flaxseed in and of itself is not a dangerous supplement to take by far, and the side effects of taking flaxseed oil are minimal when comparing it to the benefits of flaxseed oil. A few of the most reported and documented side effects are loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea and certain allergic reactions such as rashes and other symptoms such as increasing the effects of those who experience bleeding disorders. The alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil supplements has proved to be safer then its counter part found in meats and other dairy sources in regards to its effects on cancer.

You can get a better understanding of flaxseed oil side effects by checking out WebMD and seeing what they have to say.

There are people claiming that some of the flaxseed oil benefits are negated unless taken with appropriate amounts of omega-6. If you should ever experience worsening of the symptoms you have begun taking flaxseed oil for you should immediately discontinue the use of the product and consult your health care specialist; there are other forms of omega-3 such as fish oil that might work better for you and the only way to find out what your body tolerates the best is by trying different supplements.

Always remember the follow the correct flaxseed dosage instructions. It is accepted that consuming anymore then 30 grams of flax per day will lead to diarrhea.

If you decide to branch out into ingesting whole flaxseed products you should be aware of the fact they are able to cause intestinal blockage and upset stomachs

For those of you who are pregnant or breast feeding you are not advised to take flaxseed in any of it forms, be it flaxseed oil pills, liquids or seeds.

Another one of the major flaxseed oil side effects to be aware of is for those of you who take blood clotting medication. Flaxseed has shown that it interacts with the blood’s ability to clot and should not be consumed by those individuals either on medication to resolve this issue or those with other blood clotting disorders.

After talking to many people and hearing so many stories and comments about this supplement, it is my personal opinion that all of what I hear is not really specific to the supplement itself; that is to say, in what I hear there are always two sides to the camp – it either changes lives for the better in about 85-90% of those I speak with, or it causes some nasty side effects in about the remaining 10-15% I speak with – these side effects seem to make the symptoms they were intending to treat amplified, however, once they seek another source of omega-3 such as fish oil they tend to do remarkably well with it, so perhaps the final verdict should rest that it depends on your body and only you will know how this supplement effects you. Keep vigilant and if something starts to not feel right, act fast to fix it. I would say that if you are a women you should especially keep extra mindful of how this supplement effects you. While it is hugely successful in helping treat women with menopause and PMS symptoms, the plant-based estrogen found in this supplement does not do well with most people and can lead to mood swings and depression in some, or even help treat it in others by acting to re-balance hormones in the body. Just be sure to pay attention to these flaxseed oil side effects and react quickly when necessary and you will be fine!

By now the benefits of flaxseed oil are no longer a secret. Flaxseed was first harvested and cultivated thousands of years ago and used as a fabric before it was discovered that using the oils of the seeds worked wonders for paints, textiles and even as a health remedy for many common ailments of the time. Flaxseed has stood the text of time and has since increased in popularity since its more primitive use as balms, elixirs and other home-based forms and evolved into the more common forms we use today such as flaxseed oil pills and flaxseed oil capsules that can be taken orally even as a liquid form for maximum benefit.

The magic behind flax oil is its relatively high amount of omega 3, with one dose of flaxseed oil in oral form enough to satisfy your dietary needs and then some. Aside from the omega 3 benefits of this wonderful healing oil, it is also complemented by rich proteins, vitamins and minerals that supply your body with what it needs to keep you feeling at your best and nothing less.

What is Flaxseed Used to Treat?

The following are known list of flaxseed oil benefits:

Acne – The main reason that flaxseed oils work so well on acne is because of the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3. Taken orally or by breaking open a capsule or by applying liquid flaxseed oil onto the skin directly, the oil will work to reduce the swelling caused by acne on the skin and rapidly reduce it.

Skin and Hair – Just like with acne, the oil of flaxseed works by reducing any inflammation on your skin and by supplying it with the omega-3 essential fatty acids it needs to shine and glow signaling a healthy looking complexion. Here’s the tip of the day: you can give your dog or cat omega-3 supplements such as flaxseed oil to make his coat SHINE (and boy, do I mean SHINE!) while reducing shedding, improving allergy symptoms and itchiness all in one, but I do recommend talking to your vet before starting your pet on. While there is no specific type of flaxseed oil for dogs, I always give mine a capsule of mine every day so they too can enjoy the benefits of flaxseed. What occurs here is that low levels of these oils, in both humans and animals, causes dry, brittle and dull hair, skin and coats; adding additional amounts of flax into the diet acts to restore the sheen and brilliance that is suppose to inherently be present.

Heart – Flax helps improve the heart by lowering cholesterol and thereby decreasing the chance of other heart related problems. It also helps with blood circulation and helps to reduce blood pressure.

Constipation, Irritable-Bowel Syndrome and Hemorrhoids – Since flax is loaded with fiber, anti-oxidants and other vitamins and nutrients, it helps to promote intestinal tract health by removing toxins, helping to regulate us by softening our stools and promoting a favorable environment for the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. Additional flaxseed oil benefits come in the form, again, of the seemingly miraculous ability of the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant-based oil to reduce intestinal inflammation and even prevent and help preexisting conditions of gallbladder stones. Since the inflammation in the intestinal tract is reduced, repair to any damages caused over a long period of time are made possible under these ideal circumstances.

Arthritis, Joint Pain, Lupus and Gout – Again, because of the superior anti-inflammatory powers of flax, it helps to eliminate the debilitating chronic pain that builds up in these diseases. It also helps to eliminate the more acute symptoms of these diseases and strides to help alleviate the pain across the board. The anti-inflammatory properties are not limited to one location (e.g the skin, bowels or any other location) but work effectively in any part of the body where inflammation may occur either acutely or with chronic persistence.

Cancer – The lecithins and lignans are anti-cancer and act as broad spectrum cancer preventatives. In regards to the lecithins, the anti-oxidant capacity helps reduce the signs of aging by removing free radicals from the body. Free radicals damage cells and are believed to be a leading cause of cell weakening and damage that leads to cancer and is also believed to be one of the leading causes of an all around sense of tiredness and lethargy.

Menopause and PMS

The benefits of flaxseed oil even apply to those women who suffer from painful cycles and flashes. Since flaxseed contains phytoestrogens (the plant version of estrogen) it is able to help bring women’s estrogen levels in order and keep them proportioned.

Prostrate health and male fertility

Even the men can benefit from flaxseed oil too as it can help treat conditions of inflamed and over-active prostrates. Sperm need their essential fatty acids to properly develop and stay strong and mobile. There is good evidence to suggest that the cardiovascular flaxseed oil benefits can help keep a healthy flow and blood circulation to the penis, assisting those with such conditions as erectile dysfunction.