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Linseed Oil Facts

Linseed oil is an unsaturated fat that's used for everything from polishing wood to providing your body with health boosting omega-3 fatty acid. Although it is labeled "linseed oil" when purchased from hardware stores, it is often marketed as flaxseed oil when sold in grocery stores or health food stores.

  1. Identification

    • Linseed oil is made from pressed flaxseeds. Linseed oil is also sold under the name flaxseed oil in the United States. Although flaxseed oil is considered to be one of the healthiest oils available, pediatric physician Dr. William Sears states that its short shelf life has caused it to fall out of popularity with manufacturers. A high concentration of essential fatty acids gives linseed oil its short shelf life. Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, C and E. In addition, flax seeds also contain the minerals zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, flaxseed oil contains 50 percent to 60 percent alpha linolenic acid 'AHA', which is a form of omega-3 fatty acids.

    Benefits

    • According to the MayoClinic, preliminary evidence shows that a deficiency in unsaturated fatty acids can contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In one particular trial it was shown that linseed oil could improve symptoms of ADHD, although they state that additional evidence is needed to confirm the result. Linseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is essential in lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of developing heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends reducing your saturated fat and trans fat consumption and replacing them with unsaturated fats to reduce the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.

    Precautions

    • If you are taking linseed oil as a supplement, you should only do so under the supervision of your doctor, as this oil has some potential interactions. If you are taking oral medications, linseed oil can slow down the rate at which they’re absorbed into the body. People who have schizophrenia cannot convert the ALA in flaxseed oil to a readily absorbable form, so they should get omega-3s from easily absorbed sources such as fish.

    Interactions

    • Omega-3 fatty acids such as that in linseed oil can boost the effects of anticoagulant medications, increasing the risk of bleeding. It may also increase blood sugar levels, thus increasing the need to take blood sugar lowering medications such as glucotrol, micronase, metformin and insulin. On the positive side, linseed oil can increase the effectiveness of cholesterol lowering medications such as Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor.

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