Pregnant Women Consuming Flaxseed Oil Increase Risk of Premature Birth

Research conducted by Professor Anick Bérard has found that the risks of premature birth quadruple if flaxseed oil is consumed in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, women consuming the actual flaxseed are unaffected.

Bérard set out to conduct one of the largest studies ever undertaken on by analyzing data from 3354 Quebec women. The first part of the research established that close to 10 percent of women between 1998 and 2003 used natural health products during their pregnancy.

"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 numberof premature births jumps up to 12 percent," says Bérard. "It's an enormous risk."

The correlation existed only with flaxseed oil, yet women consuming the actual flaxseed were unaffected. Even if more studies must be undertaken to verify these results, Bérard recommends caution when it comes to consuming flaxseed oil while pregnant.
Source:
Anick Bérard, et al. Pregnant women consuming flaxseed oil have high risk of premature birth. University of Montreal. October 2008.

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