Flax Seeds Side Effects – Find Out Now

• 1. Strong Laxative Effects
• 2. Allergic Reactions
• 3. Hormonal Imbalance
• 4. Complications During Pregnancy
• 5. More Reasons to Watch Out…

Flax seeds are widely endorsed as highly nutritious food – and they sure are. They’re one of the best sources of Omega 3 fatty acids for vegans. Being rich in fibre, they help with digestive problems and weight loss. And they’ve got loads of the good stuff, like lignans, vitamins, mucilage, antioxidants, and magnesium. In recent years, these glossy little seeds have risen to popularity as health supplements and now find themselves in muffins, oatmeal, and various kinds of health formulas. But among all this hype, it’s easy to forget that downsides exist! Take note of these 5 flax seeds side effects:

Noteworthy Flax Seeds Side Effects

1. Strong Laxative Effects

Thousands of people take flax seed capsules for weight loss and digestive troubles like diarrhoea and constipation. These medicines do help, but if you take it in incorrect proportions, you are quite likely to experience the adverse flax seed capsules side effects on your digestive system. Since these nutty seeds are high in fibre, they are strong laxatives and can therefore induce diarrhoea – putting you in a very uncomfortable position! In addition to fibre, these seeds also have mucilage which doubles this side effect on your system. So if you suffer from digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome…or simply have  a week digestive system, be careful.

2. Allergic Reactions

Do you have an allergy for a certain grain? Or are you generally prone to allergies? If yes, then you must know that allergic reactions are among the flax seed meal side effects. These little seeds can create huge reactions including a drop in blood pressure, vomiting, nausea, and even anaphylaxis. And even if you are not allergic, be cautious if you work with flax seed powder frequently since it can lead to asthma when inhaled regularly.

3. Hormonal Imbalance

Another well known benefit of flax seeds is their ability to bring about hormonal balance in women. These seeds are in fact the highest source of lignans, which mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. If you have too much of these, it can drastically upset your menstrual cycle and have serious consequences ending up in loss of fertility – there are chances of developing uterine fibroids, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and even certain kinds of cancers. If your body is already prone to experiencing hormonal ups and downs, you should consult your doctor regarding how much is safe for you to consume, to avoid these flax seeds side effects.

4. Complications During Pregnancy

Another reason for women to be wary! Pregnant women are generally advised to altogether avoid flax seeds since, as we said earlier, they can mess up your hormone levels. Flax seeds have the potential to trigger menstruation, which means that they put you and your baby at very serious risk. Moreover, they can lead to premature delivery and unhealthy infant body mass index.

5. More Reasons to Watch Out…

There are more flax seed side effects. They interact with medication by inhibiting absorption of their ingredients and altering the effect of blood thinners and blood sugar regulators. They’ve also been found to hamper blood clotting which can be quite dangerous. Too much of flax seeds can also result in blocking of the intestines and macular degeneration.

The Verdict

There can be some grave flax seeds side effects, but these mostly happen when you take too much. So, how much is enough? Experts suggest that a spoon a day will let you reap all of these seeds’ wonderful health benefits while staying safe from their side effects. So go ahead, include them in your diet but remember that balance is ever so important, as Ayurveda always says!
Note: This article is solely for the purpose of sharing information. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Ingredients discussed can interfere with certain medications. So before using anything to treat yourself, always consult your doctor.