Although flaxseed oil is 100% fat, that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. First, the fat is unsaturated fat, the kind that’s good for heart health.
Omega-3 fats are associated with multiple health benefits. These include a reduced risk of:
Omega-3 fats are also associated with lowering cholesterol and may even improve your mood.
“Omega-3 fats are good for your brain and good for your heart,” says Peart.
The kind of omega-3 fat in flaxseed oil is alpha-linolenic acid (APA), which is the fat you find in plants. In fish such as salmon, the omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
“Pound for pound, flaxseed oil is the richest source of ALA, that plant-based omega-3 fatty acid,” Peart notes. “It’s a good choice for vegans or people who don’t want to eat fish.”
Can potentially reduce cholesterol
A small 2015 study featuring 15 men found that taking ALA-rich flaxseed oil for 12 weeks significantly lowered their levels of small-dense LDL cholesterol particles, otherwise known as bad cholesterol.
“This kind of cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis — hardening of the arteries — which is a risk factor for heart disease,” Peart says. “The men also saw significantly lower LDL levels in as soon as four weeks of supplementing. That’s really fast.”
In addition, another 2015 study with older adults showed that flaxseed oil reduced LDL (or bad cholesterol) and boosted HDL (or good cholesterol).
