Flaxseed oil, also known as flax oil or linseed oil, is made from flax seeds that have been ground and pressed to release their natural oil.

In this article we will explore the many health benefits of flaxseed oil. 

1. High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Much like flax seeds, flaxseed oil is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to health and have been associated with benefits like reduced inflammation, improved heart health and protection for the brain against aging and can reduce inflammation. 

If you aren’t taking fish oil or getting one to two servings of fatty fish in your diet each week, flaxseed oil may be a good solution to help supplement your diet with the omega-3 fatty acids you need.

2. May Help Reduce Cancer Cell Growth

Although the current research is limited to test-tube and animal studies, there is some evidence that flaxseed oil may help reduce the growth of cancer cells.

In one animal study, mice were given 0.3 ml of flaxseed oil for 40 days. It was found to prevent the spread of cancer and the growth of lung tumors. Some test-tube and animal studies show that flaxseed oil may reduce cancer cell growth, although additional research in humans is needed.
 
3. Could Benefit Heart Health

Several studies have found that flaxseed oil could benefit heart health.

One study in 59 people compared the effects of flaxseed oil to those of safflower oil, a type of oil high in omega-6 fatty acids.

High blood pressure can harm heart health, as it places extra strain on the heart, forcing it to work harder.

Flaxseed oil may also improve the elasticity of the arteries. Both aging and increased blood pressure are generally linked to decreases in elasticity. 

These benefits are likely due to the high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil, as supplementing with it has been shown to significantly increase the amount of omega-3s in the blood. 
 
4. May Help Treat Constipation and Diarrhea  

Flaxseed oil may be effective at treating both constipation and diarrhea.

A recent animal study showed that flaxseed oil acted as a laxative to promote regularity, all while acting as an antidiarrheal agent. A study gave 50 constipated patients on hemodialysis either flaxseed oil, olive oil or mineral oil.

After four weeks, flaxseed oil increased the frequency of bowel movements and improved stool consistency. Also, it was found to be as effective as both olive oil and mineral oil. 

5. May Improve Skin Health

Flaxseed oil may also help enhance skin health.

One small study had 13 women supplement with flaxseed oil for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, they experienced improvements in skin smoothness and hydration, while skin sensitivity to irritation and roughness had decreased.

A recent animal study showed that flaxseed oil had similar positive results.

Mice with dermatitis were given flaxseed oil for three weeks. The oil was shown to decrease symptoms of atopic dermatitis, such as redness, swelling and itching 

However, no studies have looked at the benefits of applying flaxseed oil to the skin of people. Nevertheless, there are numerous anecdotal reports of improvements in smoothness and reduced irritation after applying flaxseed oil.