An Introduction to Flaxseed Dosage Information
The best
flaxseed dosage has not yet been determined. In fact, "dosage" may not be the best term, since flaxseed is simply a food product. Yet, because many people add flaxseed to their diets solely for the health
benefits of flaxseed, it may be helpful to discuss reasonable and possibly effective intakes for flaxseed.
Flaxseed is not exactly the same as
flaxseed oil, which does not contain some of the active components of flaxseed. The information in this article does not apply to flaxseed oil.
Reasonable Flaxseed Dosing
In studies of flaxseed for
high cholesterol or
menopause symptoms, flaxseed "doses" of 40 to 50 grams (of flaxseeds) per day were usually used. These studies often used flaxseed in baked goods, such as breads or muffins. Since most of us don't own a scale that measures in grams, a dose of two to four tablespoonfuls daily is often recommended. If you prefer a flaxseed product other than plain flaxseeds (such as flaxseed flour), the dose may be different.
A lower dose may be sufficient if you are taking flaxseed to treat or prevent
constipation. It is reasonable to start with one tablespoonful a day and increase slowly and as necessary.
Instead of thinking of a daily "flaxseed dose," it may be best to just try to find ways to incorporate flaxseed into your diet. Whole, ground, or powdered flaxseeds can be incorporated into baked goods or mixed with other foods or drinks (such as orange juice). Also, many commercial baked goods that contain flaxseed are now available. Some people like mixing whole or ground flaxseed into foods such as yogurt or oatmeal. Flaxseed has a slightly nutty taste that fits well with many other foods.
