flax seed oil and bruising?

[nan]

i may have to have some oral surgery and i was wondering if flax seed oil causes more bleeding or bruising. would you recommend stopping flax seed capsules a couple of weeks prior to the surgery just to be on the safe side? i know with blood thinners and some other meds they want you to stop prior to surgery..at least a week.

My oral surgeon didn't seem to be famiiar with the possible side effects of flax seed oil and bleeding and bruising, but i have read some web sites and it seems like it is a possibility. however, i thought it best to ask an expert, rather than rely on a website. your thoughts are appreciated. i have been taking 3000 mg per day (3 capsules). i don't know if it helps, but i keep taking it. thank you again. n

[Robert Latkany MD]

Based on some early studies flaxseed oil cna reduce the clotting of blood so until we know more think of it as a blood thinner and stop it about 7 to 10 days before any surgery. We need further more conclusive studies to know for sure.