Medically reviewed by Dr. Reina Punj, MBBS, PG Diploma in Endocrinology (University of South Wales), Lead Physician, Excelgenics Clinical Panel.
Joint pain and stiffness are common and can affect mobility and quality of life. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis need assessment and treatment by a doctor. Omegaco by Excelgenics is a plant-based omega 3 supplement made from flaxseed oil, and an omega 3 vegetarian supplement option for people who avoid fish-based products. This article looks at what the research does and does not show about flaxseed oil and joints.
Clinical Evidence on Flaxseed Oil for Joint Health
Flaxseed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant omega-3. Most of the research linking omega-3 to joint health has used fish oil, which provides EPA and DHA directly. Omegaco contains ALA only, and the body converts just a small proportion of ALA into EPA and DHA (reported rates are below 15%), so fish-oil findings should not be applied to it.
Direct evidence for flaxseed oil is limited. In a small randomised, double-blind trial in 22 people with rheumatoid arthritis, three months of flaxseed oil raised blood ALA levels but did not raise EPA or DHA, and did not improve joint scores, pain, function or inflammatory markers compared with a safflower oil placebo.
A 2023 review of flaxseed oil research described anti-inflammatory activity, but this evidence rests largely on laboratory and animal work, and well-controlled human trials are limited. Taken together, there is not enough evidence to say that flaxseed oil reduces joint pain or protects cartilage.
How Omega-3s Relate to Joint Tissues
Omega-3 fats are part of cell membranes throughout the body, including joint tissues, and are involved in the body's normal inflammatory signalling. ALA competes with the omega-6 fat linoleic acid for the same enzymes, so the balance of these fats in the diet influences which signalling molecules the body produces. This is general nutritional physiology; it does not mean that taking ALA will change joint symptoms.
About Omegaco's Formulation
Omegaco contains 560 mg of cold-pressed flaxseed oil per capsule (an estimated 300 mg of ALA) in a plant-based vegetarian capsule, with no preservatives and no fish derivatives. It does not contain EPA or DHA. Take one capsule daily with a meal containing healthy fats.
Consumer Takeaway: Joint Comfort, Mobility and Your Diet
A plant-based omega 3 supplement can add ALA, an essential fatty acid, to a vegetarian diet. It is not a treatment for joint pain or any joint condition. Staying active, keeping to a healthy weight and getting medical advice for persistent pain, swelling or stiffness matter far more for joint health.
Flaxseed oil may add to the effect of blood-thinning (anticoagulant or antiplatelet) medicines, so speak to your doctor before use if you take them, including if you take anti-inflammatory painkillers for joint pain. Larger amounts can cause digestive upset such as bloating or loose stools. Avoid use in pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor advises it.
References
- Nordström DC, Honkanen VE, Nasu Y, et al. Alpha-linolenic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized study: flaxseed vs. safflower seed. Rheumatol Int. 1995;14:231–234. PubMed
- Al-Madhagy S, Ashmawy NS, Mamdouh A, Eldahshan OA, Farag MA. A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oils. Eur J Med Res. 2023;28:240. doi:10.1186/s40001-023-01203-6
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- Versus Arthritis. Flaxseed oil (complementary and alternative treatments). versusarthritis.org
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil. nccih.nih.gov
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.
