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Constipation treatment usually includes dietary changes and drugs taking. According to the National Institus of Health, the use of flaxseed oil for constipation is a healthy way to ease the problems and to benefit the body on the whole. Flaxseed oil doesn’t harm your digestive system, doesn’t include any chemicals and even has some benefits for your cardiovascular system.
Just add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your morning juice or smoothie or add it to your salads. There are a lot of flaxseed oil recipes . You may take flaxseed oil with any drink as flaxseed oil adds little flavor to it and this will help you eliminate constipation. You won’t get the immediate results as harsh laxatives give, but you won’t have the rapid and unexpected need to use the bathroom or extra gases either.
Activity of flaxseed oil for constipation
Flaxseed oil is a lipid. Therefore, it causes a gallbladder response. When flaxseed oil reaches the duodenum, a significant quantity of bile is released from the gallbladder, especially if it is consumed on an empty stomach. Bile emulsifies the ingested fats enlarging their contact surface that makes enzymes work more effectively. At the same time bile works as a natural laxative. It makes stools moist and slightly irritates the colon mucosa.
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Flaxseed and flaxseed oil
However, the laxative effect of flaxseed oil is not strong enough and we may need a lot of this oil to get rid of constipation, which can be dangerous as more than 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily may have a strong adverse effect.
When we compare the composition of flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, we see that flax seeds contain fiber and lignans that are absent in flaxseed oil. It is fiber which leads to the strong laxative effect. When flaxseed oil is pressed from flax seeds, fiber is left behind. Consuming ground flax seeds can help bulk up the stool and solve the constipation problems.
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Fragile oil
Flaxseed oil may help reduce constipation. But flaxseed oil becomes rancid very rapidly. It may become harmful within few days after opening as a result of:
- Temperature (even room temperature may lead to oxidation)
- Contact with air
- Light
If you make up your mind to use flaxseed oil for constipation, ensure that you keep it properly in a refrigerator and don’t overdose it. Or you may replace it with more stable oils, olive oil for constipation, for example.
Always consult your doctor if you need laxatives for more than 1 week as in this case laxatives lead to temporary relief and you need to find the cause of your problem.
