Can flaxseed make you sick??

[acatalina]

I bought some flax seed and made some muffins this week.
Since ,
I have been in the bathroom , cramping,my stomache and intestines really hurt.Like a vice squeezing them.
Has anyone else had this happen?
Either it is that or i have a stomache flu.
This usually doesn't happen to me. I am discousted this week.
It has been a long horrible week. I am starving and when i eat i get sick.
Now i am scared to eat!!!
Help!!!
Has anyone had this happen to them?
Anne

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=8227804&uid=3969941

 

[CurlyQ]

I can't eat flax seed for that exact reason. It makes me crampy and really gassy (TMI, I know). It's recommended that you eat flax seed in very small doses starting out and gradually increase as your body gets used to it - didn't happen for me but others have said it worked for them. That being said, you could have a bug of some kind. You'll have to test it out when you are feeling better. Maybe you could try adding a pinch to some cereal and see how you feel afterwards.

HTH - feel better!

 

[kathryn]

It sounds like your body reacting to a sudden increase in fiber intake, perhaps. As CurlyQ said, the usual recommendation for adding flax is to start out with a little at a time and gradually increase the dosage.

Did you use ground flax or whole flax? The ground flax would pass through more easily, I think. Whole flax comes out the same way it goes in, unless you are careful to chew it.

Is this a new muffin recipe? Are there other high fiber sources in it (like bran?). Maybe it's one of the other ingredients that is problematic, or a combination of flax and another ingredient.

(YOur 'symptoms" can also be related to a detox crisis, when your body is getting rid of toxins, but that's not usually something associated with flax.)

Don't be "disgusted" with yourself, but do try to figure out what is going on.

The "whenn I eat I get sick" part of your post makes me think that maybe you have some kind of bug. You could try the BRAT diet (which is what is recommended when people have gastrointestinal viruses, as it is more easily digested: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast...BRAT). Or try some vegetable broth.

 

[candi]

Could you possibly be having an allergic reaction to flax seed? I am extremely allergic to sesame seeds. Just a thought.