Flaxseed oil (Alsi ka tel): Benefits and side effects

The rising pollution and busy lifestyle make skin care an utmost necessity but you can’t book salon skin treatments each day, right? Flaxseed oil comes as a saviour in these situations. Believe it or not, it is one of the best oils for your skin. Ayurveda defines flax seeds as a moisturising, pH balancing and anti-wrinkle remedy for the skin. With natural remedies coming back from the ancient times, flaxseed oil has made a comeback and this time it’s not seeming to step down.

Studies suggest that regular application of flaxseed oil improves the barrier function of the skin, which is one of the primary reasons for skin sensitivity. As a repository of antioxidants, it combats oxidative stress due to the harmful UV rays, thus, delaying photo ageing.

Animal-based studies indicate that topical application of flaxseed oil improves dermatitis and eczema along with suppressing the inflammatory response which is responsible for causing swelling and redness. But unlike fish oil, it does not have any side effects in the form of immunosuppression (reduced immunity).

As per the findings of a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, ingesting flaxseed oil increases skin hydration and reduces dryness and scaling of skin in humans.

Not only this, but flaxseed oil is very useful in healing wounds. It promotes the regeneration of skin collagen by increasing fibroblast (connective tissue cells) synthesis. In vivo (animal-based) studies claim that flaxseed oil stimulates skin repair and reduces the chances of further skin damage in skin wounds. It has also been found to be beneficial in improving blood circulation and promoting skin regeneration in burn wounds.

Flaxseed oil hosts a band of nutrients and minerals which makes it an effective hair oil. Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids prevent hair loss while promoting hair growth at the same time. Flaxseed oil is rich in these. As an emollient and demulcent, it also soothes the scalp and helps to retain its moisture while it also eases scalp conditions like psoriasis and eczema.  Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids act as antioxidants and revert free radical damage, which is one of the major causes of hair loss and greying.

So, the next time you go for a hair massage, opt for flaxseed oil and notice its benefits yourself. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of flaxseed oil in your homemade hair mask.

Flaxseed oil might lack the fibre content of flaxseeds but it still is an effective laxative, which makes it an effective weight loss agent. Animal-based studies demonstrate the dual action of flaxseed oil in preventing diarrhoea as well as constipation. It softens the stools and lubricates the gut, facilitating excretion and by balancing the potassium channels, it also helps in alleviating diarrhoea.

Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids facilitate proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from the intestines along with improving the gut microflora. This implies that you will get the right amount of nutrients from your food, which in turn will lead to a balanced metabolic function.

Not only this, the hypolipidemic properties of flaxseed oil make sure that you lose all that harmful cholesterol which is one of the major contributors to obesity.

(Read more: Diet chart for weight loss)

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Flaxseed oil comprises polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids which have been found to be beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart diseases. Flaxseed oil helps in preventing this condition, as evident from research studies. Combined with its antioxidant properties, it aids in reducing plaque deposition in the arteries and thus prevents atherosclerosis. Further, flaxseed oil has effective anti-inflammatory properties, which are known to be useful in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

High blood pressure is yet another risk factor in heart diseases. Alpha-linolenic acid present in flaxseed oil has a relaxing effect on the arteries and it has been found to be effective in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensives.

With so many benefits for your heart, flaxseed oil is certainly the perfect choice.

Omega-3 fatty acid is not the only good thing about flaxseed oil, it also contains plant hormones namely phytoestrogens. Apt to their name, these hormones act like the female hormone estrogen and assist in balancing these hormonal levels in women. This would not only alleviate abnormalities in the menstrual cycle but also aid in reducing uterus-related problems and in improving fertility. Additionally, it may be helpful in remedying hot flashes in menopausal women.

In a clinical study, 60 women with PCOS were given 1000 mg flaxseed oil two times a day for a period of 12 weeks. Marked improvement in metabolic parameters was noted at the end of the designated period. The study did not mention any effect on the hormonal profile. However, in a single case study, the lignans present in flaxseeds were reported to improve hormone levels in PCOS along with reducing hirsutism.

In the absence of confirming evidence, it is best that you refer to a doctor to understand the benefits of flax seeds for women health.

A lot of us are aware of the cardiovascular benefits of flaxseed oil but do you know it is as good for your brain? The alpha-linolenic acids present in flaxseed oil get converted into EPA and DHA inside the body, both of which are essential in modulating brain functions and in assisting neurotransmission (transfer of signals between brain cells). Flaxseed oil is especially studied for its benefits in improving borderline personality disorders and bipolar disorder. It has been found to reduce mood changes, anxiety and depression related to bipolar disorders in children.

Animal studies demonstrate that flaxseed oil supplementation may be effective in managing brain ischemia (tissue damage due to oxygen reduction).

Flaxseed oil is also being studied for its benefits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though, the result isn’t conclusive.

The may also have some use in the treatment of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. However, more studies are needed to draw any satisfactory evidence.

(Read more: How to improve brain power)

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder characterised by an inability of the body to produce or utilise insulin which leads to high blood sugar levels. When it comes to the anti-diabetic effects of flax oil, the evidence is quite contradictory. While some studies claim that regular consumption of flax oil aids in reducing blood glucose levels, others suggest that it does not have any significant effect. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce the risk of diabetes in both normal and pre-diabetics. Though it has been suggested to improve insulin resistance, the exact mechanism remains unknown.

Furthermore, flaxseed oil is claimed to reduce the breakdown of sugars in the intestines, slowing its absorption and maintaining the blood sugar levels.

Not only this, as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, flaxseed oil assists in reducing diabetes complications. In pre-clinical studies, flax oil administration has been found to improve diabetes-associated brain dysfunction and foot ulcers.

However, due to lack of clinical studies, it is advisable that you refer to a doctor to know about the benefits and safety of flaxseed oil for diabetes.

Cancer is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity. Essentially an overstimulation of cell growth, cancer can disrupt the normal body functions and weaken the immune system making them more prone to diseases. Recently there is an increased trend towards cancer prevention with the help of dietary interventions.

Several studies suggest the benefits of flax oil in preventing cancer and tumour formation. Flax oil consumption has been found to inhibit the spread of lung cancer and breast cancer and promote apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells. It also reduces the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Preclinical studies suggest that flaxseed oil reduces ovarian cancer risk by inhibiting the expression of the inflammatory genes that play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. Additionally, the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed oil is found to reduce the size of colon tumours much better than corn oil.