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Botanical

Flaxseed

Flaxseed, also called linseed, is the seed of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. It supplies fiber, lignans and the plant omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Also listed as Flaxseed Oil, Flax Seed, Organic Flaxseed Oil, Flaxseed Powder

CardiovascularEssential HealthHair & SkinLongevityGut Health

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

ConstipationStrongA3 studies
Blood pressureCardiovascularStrongA3 studies
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularModerateA3 studies
Essential HealthModerateA3 studies
Skin textureHair & SkinModerateBNo linked study
Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
All 9 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is flaxseed?

Flaxseed, also called linseed, comes from Linum usitatissimum. The seeds supply fiber and the plant omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA); flaxseed also contains lignans, a group of plant compounds. 1 2 3

Why can it change bowel movements?

With water, the seeds form a gel called mucilage. This softens stool and helps it move through the bowel. 1

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Flaxseed's ratings.

Effect of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review, and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.2023Influence of Flax Seeds on the Gut Microbiota of Elderly Patients with Constipation2022Effects of Flaxseed on Blood Lipids in Healthy and Dyslipidemic Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.2021Flaxseed for Health and Disease: Review of Clinical Trials.2020Effect of flaxseed or psyllium vs. placebo on management of constipation, weight, glycemia, and lipids: A randomized trial in constipated patients with type 2 diabetes.2019
All 10 studiesEvery publication linked to Flaxseed

Why people take it

Essential Health18.5%
Immune Support16.1%
Gut Health12.1%
Energy10.9%
Detox8.3%
Cardiovascular6.2%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is flaxseed oil the same as the seeds?

No. Oil, lignan extracts, and mucilage are distinct preparations; findings for one do not establish equal effects for the others. 4

Does flaxseed lower LDL?

The 62-trial review found an average reduction of about 4.2 mg/dL, a modest change. 3

Is more raw ground flaxseed better?

BfR limits adult intake to 15–20 g daily because of safety concerns, rather than recommending larger amounts. 2

Does it replace fish oil?

It supplies ALA; conversion to the EPA and DHA found in fish oil is limited. 5

When should constipation be checked?

EMA advises professional assessment if constipation persists after three days of using linseed medicines. 1

Sources

  1. Lini semen European Medicines Agency