Flax Seed Oil Linked to Premature Births

Filed in archive Childbirth , Is it Safe...? , Pregnancy and Nutrition , Second Trimester , Third Trimester on October 28, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Stefanie Timmermann

A new study of more than 3000 Quebec women emphasized to pregnant women to be cautious in consuming natural health products during their pregnancy. That a product is natural does not necessarily mean that it is safe. For example, the consumption of flax seed oil has been highly correlated to premature births.

"In the general population, the average rate of premature births is 2 to 3 percent. But for women consuming flaxseed oil in their last two trimesters that number jumps up to 12 percent," says Bérard. "It's an enormous risk."

The correlation existed only with flaxseed oil, not actual flax seeds. Indeed, these data needs to be confirmed in other population, but the study authors recommend to be extremely careful when it comes to consuming flaxseed oil.