Chia Seeds have amazing health benefits that you should all know about. They are a rich source of:
1. Omega 3 “good fats” such as alpha-lipoic acid
2. Protein
3. Fiber
4. B-vitamins, especially Niacin, aka B3
5. Minerals (Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Phosphorus, Manganese)
6. Antioxidants like quercetin
Chia seeds come from a plant known as Salvia hispanica, a member of the Mint family. A native to Mexico and South America, chia seeds were the power food of the Aztecs.
I recommend 1-2 TBSP daily, soaked in water or ground like flax seeds and sprinkled on your food. The oil from the chia seed is also found in capsule form. 2 capsules 2 times daily with meals is a great substitute for fish oil with similar benefits for lowering bad cholesterol & hsCRP and raising good cholesterol. Another way to eat chia seeds is in sprouted form. Remember “Chia Pets,” –the living knick knack from the 70’s? Well, now they are back in style and healthier than ever.
The high soluble fiber content of chia seeds has the health benefit of balancing blood sugar, aiding elimination for both constipation and diarrhea as well as liver/gallbladder stagnation. The good fats are beneficial for your heart and blood vessel health and as an anti-inflammatory. The protein helps diabetics keep blood sugar low and is perfect for vegan and gluten free diets. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants and hypoallergenic, so they are also well suited for anti-inflammatory diet plans, which I recommend to most of my patients.
For more fun facts about Chia seeds, Wikipedia is a useful resource with more scholarly links for those of you who like peer-reviewed research studies published in reputable medical journals to back up the above health claims.
May all the spring seeds you sow grow and thrive!
Margaret Philhower, ND
www.drmargaret.org
