Flaxseed Safety

Be sure to review flaxseed safety guidelines before consuming any flaxseed products. Flaxseed could worsen certain medical conditions, including cancer or diabetes, so make sure to tell your healthcare provider about existing conditions you have before trying flaxseed. It is also important to know that flaxseed may increase triglycerides, interact with certain drugs, and cause problems in people with a bowel obstruction or esophageal stricture.

 

Is Flaxseed Safe?

 Flaxseed is a probably safe for most people when consumed in normal amounts. You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking flaxseed (especially at high doses) if you have:
 
  • Diabetes
  • A bleeding disorder
  • Cancer (or a history of cancer)
  • A bowel obstruction (blockage) or esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus)
  • High triglycerides
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
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.
 
(Flaxseed Safety Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;