Filed Under ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Dangers of Flax?
by Dr. Julian Whitaker
Published 03/31
Every so often I received inquiries regarding the safety of flaxseed and flaxseed oil. For example, one newspaper article quotes Dr. Peter Gott as saying that there are possible links between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the dominant oil in flaxseed, and prostate cancer.
This is true. Although studies on this are not definitive, it was enough to make me stop recommending flaxseed oil several years ago. Whole, ground flaxseed is another story—the bulk of the research concludes that it has beneficial effects on prostate and other cancers.
Dr. Gott’s other cautions are over the top. Flaxseed doesn’t raise triglyceride or blood sugar levels—conversely, it may actually lower them. It does have laxative effects, as does any fiber source, but for most people, that’s a good thing. It could, in theory, cause bowel obstruction if you ate a lot and drank no fluids, but in the 20-plus years we’ve used flaxseed at the clinic, I’ve never seen such a thing. Nor is it particularly allergenic, although sensitive people may be allergic to most anything. Finally, if flaxseed contained enough cyanide to build up to toxic levels, I’d have dropped dead a long time ago.
Also, a recent a newsletter advertisement promoting the benefits of Salvia Hispanica L., commonly known as chia seeds, has derogated flax. While I believe that chia is a great product that boasts many of the same health benefits of flax, there is no need to badmouth tried-and-true, inexpensive flaxseed. Disregard this information.
Because freshly ground flaxseed is an excellent source of fiber and protective lignans, I stand by my recommendations to stay away from flax oil and eat up to a quarter cup of ground flaxseed daily.
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