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Linseed oil

Linseed is the seed of the plant Linum Usitatissimum. The oil from these seeds is used to make medicine. Linseed oil is used for many different conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and high cholesterol levels. Other uses include trying to treat osteoarthritis, anxiety, benign prostate enlargement, vaginal infections, dry eyes, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some people use linseed oil as a laxative for constipation, to aid weight loss and to prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer. Linseed oil is also applied to the skin to soothe skin irritations or soften rough skin. In food, linseed oil is used in margarine and as an oil for cooking. In industrial production, linseed oil is used as an ingredient in paints, varnishes, linoleum and soap, as well as a waterproofing ingredient. Linseed oil easily breaks down into its chemical components when exposed to light, heat or air. For this reason, linseed oil should be stored in an opaque or dark bottle protected from heat. Linseed oil can also be stored in the refrigerator.

How does linseed oil work?

Linseed oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid. The alpha-linolenic acid and related chemicals found in linseed oil appear to reduce inflammation. For this reason, it is believed that linseed oil may be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

How effective is linseed oil?

Linseed oil may not be effective for the following conditions:

  • High blood lipid levels. Some research shows that taking linseed oil does not significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. Daily intake of linseed oil over a 3-month period does not appear to improve symptoms such as pain and stiffness, nor does it have any effect on laboratory tests that measure the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

There is insufficient scientific data to draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of linseed oil for the following conditions and applications:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There is some evidence that taking linseed oil may improve attention, impulsivity, restlessness and self-control in children suffering from ADHD.
  • Arteriosclerosis. There is evidence that increasing the amount of linolenic acid in the diet may help prevent hardening of the arteries. Linseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid, which is why some people assume that linseed oil should protect against arteriosclerosis. Even if this assumption is plausible, there have not yet been any scientific studies that have proven the correctness of this assumption.
  • Breast cancer. Scientific studies have shown that women who have higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid in their breast tissue are less likely to develop breast cancer. Scientists think that a high intake of linolenic acid in the diet could protect against breast cancer. Linseed oil is a source of linolenic acid, but it is not known whether increased consumption of linseed oil actually helps prevent breast cancer.
  • Heart disease. There is evidence that people with existing heart disease who get more alpha-linolenic acid in their diet have a lower risk of dying from heart disease. Linseed oil is a source of alpha-linolenic acid, but no scientific studies have yet directly investigated the effects of linseed oil consumption on heart disease. It is also not known whether linseed oil supplements have the same effect as linseed oil from food.
  • Diabetes. Scientific research suggests that flaxseed oil does not lower blood sugar in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
  • Dry eyes. Some preliminary research suggests that taking linseed oil may reduce irritation and symptoms of dry eyes. A specific product containing fish oil and linseed oil may reduce dry eye symptoms and increase tear production.
  • High blood pressure: Early study results suggest that linseed oil supplements may help lower blood pressure in men with normal blood pressure but high cholesterol levels. However, further research is needed to see if linseed oil can also lower blood pressure in people who suffer from high blood pressure.
  • Prostate cancer. The results of studies on the role of the linseed oil ingredient alpha-linolenic acid in prostate cancer are contradictory. Some epidemiological studies suggest that a high dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Other studies suggest that a high intake of alpha-linolenic acid or high alpha-linolenic acid blood levels are not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, although additional alpha-linolenic acid may exacerbate existing prostate cancer. The source of alpha-linolenic acid appears to be important in this context. Alpha-linolenic acid from dairy products and meat has been positively associated with prostate cancer, whereas alpha-linolenic acid from plant sources such as flaxseed or linseed oil does not affect prostate cancer risk.

There is also insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of linseed oil for anxiety, constipation, cancer and vaginal problems, as well as its use to support weight loss.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of linseed oil in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Linseed oil is probably safe and harmless for most adults when used in reasonable amounts over a short period of time. High doses of 30 grams per day and above may cause loose stools and diarrhea. Allergic reactions have also occurred in some people while using linseed oil. Some men worry that taking linseed oil could increase their risk of prostate cancer due to the alpha-linolenic acid contained in linseed oil. Science is still deciphering the role that alpha-linolenic acid plays in prostate cancer. Some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid may exacerbate existing prostate cancer, but other studies have failed to find such a link. Regardless, the alpha-linolenic acid found in linseed oil does not appear to be a problem. Alpha-linolenic acid from plant sources such as linseed oil does not appear to affect prostate cancer risk, although alpha-linolenic acid from dairy products and meat has been linked to prostate cancer in some studies. Not enough is known about the safety of linseed oil applied to the skin.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy: Linseed oil may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Some research suggests that linseed oil may increase the risk of premature birth if taken during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. For this reason, pregnant women should avoid linseed oil.

Breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable information on the safety and safety of linseed oil during breastfeeding, so breastfeeding women should err on the side of caution and avoid linseed oil until more is known.

Bleeding disorders: Linseed oil could increase the risk of severe bleeding in patients with bleeding disorders. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before using linseed oil if you suffer from a bleeding disorder.

Surgeries: Linseed oil appears to increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop using linseed oil two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining linseed oil with the following medications:

Medications that slow down blood clotting Linseed oil could slow down blood clotting. Taking linseed oil in combination with medications that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of linseed oil depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for linseed oil. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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