Look out Flax!

There's a new seed in town and it's nutritional profile surpasses that of flax seed! Don't get me wrong, flax is still a valuable source of omega 3 fatty acids but the profile of the chia is nearly a perfect balance of omega 3:6. Just what the human frame needs to avoid inflammation and prevent heart disease as well as other degenerative diseases of "lifestyle". I have been adding a tablespoon of chia seeds to my morning smoothie and have noticed a difference, most notably, my monthly cycle. While this may be too much information for some, it is valuable for women. I have had very little bloat and my cycle this month I must admit was a surprise with no symptoms other than a slight headache.

As I have and continue to preach the benefits of an omega 3:6 balance, I am personally feeling the postive effects from my own dietary increase of omega 3 and my complete avoidance of vegetable oils.

What makes the Chia Seed the super food that many claim it to be?

30% of the chia seed's oil is Omega 3 oil. 40% of its oil is Omega 6 oil. This provides the nice balance those who take supplemental Essential Fatty Acids are looking for. The chia seed's substantially dense percentage in alpha-linolenic fatty acid also makes this seed a healthy dietary source of fatty acids.

You do not need to grind the Chia Seeds to digest it. It is a relatively easy to digest seed, whereas flax seeds are not. It is necessary to grind flax seeds to be able to process them in our digestive system and benefit from their oils. That is not the case with chia seeds. Chia digests easily making the almost perfect ratio of fatty acids more bio-available.

The chia seeds are great for athletes because they are highly hydrophilic. Being hydrophilic means it absorbs large amounts of water. Chia Seeds can absorb over 10 times their weight in water making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies. We've seen some horrible outcomes of athletes who have pushed too hard and received too little hydration on the field.

Studies show that eating chia seed slows down how quickly our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. This leads scientists to believe that the chia seed may have great benefits for diabetics.

The chia seed gels when becoming wet and this gel, when in our digestive systems, helps one to feel fuller longer helping the diet achieve greater success.
Chia seeds provide antioxidant activity! Don't worry about feeling too full or bloated unless one consumes more than necessary at one sitting. 1 tbs. is a nice serving providing all of the above benefits.

With high fiber and beneficial oils, chia is a valuable addition to your detoxification program as well! These valuable fibers help to attach to and pull the toxins from your system for a nice cleanse. Remember, the human liver has over 400 functions and in this toxic world, a mild liver detox program 2-4 times a year is a healthful boost to your health!

I encourage you to join me in this venture toward optimum health by adding chia to your diet! Sprinkle it on salads, in yogurt or add to your smoothie. This will be of great benefit to your children and it's an easy hide in smoothies. Give your child that added advantage of brain power! He/She could use it in this overly processed world.