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Chia Seeds Are a Super Food

                 By Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D.

Chia seeds have been recorded back to 3500 BC where the seeds were cherished by the tribes of Central America. Through time Chia seeds were forgotten and maze and corn took their place. In 1991 a number of eminent researchers took it upon themselves to re-discover a number of foods; the Chia Seed was one of them. The Chia seeds are small in size, about the size of a pin head.   There are two seed colors, white and black. Some people are claiming that the white seeds are more potent, but this is not the case. Both seeds are essentially the same. The scientific name for the Chia seed is Salvia Hispanica. The Chia seed comes from the Salvia Hispanica plant, it’s a type of sage in the family of mint.

Chia seeds can be bought in any outdoor marked in Nicaragua and the nutritional value of these seeds is unbelievable.  They are considered to be one of the top ten healthiest seeds on earth.

The seed is an embryonic plant itself and the origin of nutrition. A plant goes to great lengths to produce each seed and fill it with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential oils and dormant enzymes. If you’re looking for a high quality, nutritious and filling snack, seeds are tough to beat.  It is impossible to eat a raw seed and not derive nutrition.  So lets look at the nutrition found in Chia Seeds.

Serving Size = 1 Tsp

Consider these facts about Chia seeds:
– 2.5 times more protein than kidney beans
– 3 times the antioxidant strength of blueberries
– 3 times more iron than spinach
– 6 times more calcium than milk
– 7 times more vitamin C than oranges
– 8 times more omega-3 than salmon
– 10 times more fiber than rice
– 15 times more magnesium than broccoli

How to Eat Seeds 
There is only one way to derive nutrition from seeds and that is to eat them raw. Once they are exposed to heat, they produce toxic substances and the vitamin, mineral and essential oil profiles are denatured. By roasting a seed, its classification moves from a living food to a dead food. There is no seed on earth that can withstand roasting or heating without breaking down its nutritional components. Always remember, eat seeds naturally…eat them raw. This also means they can be soaked, ground or mashed, especially if a seed’s shell or coat is too difficult to pierce with the teeth. Note: Chia seeds do not have a shell and can be eaten as they are.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have been recommended for alternative treatment of cancer. Chia Seeds can boost your energy levels and provide essential nutrients in your body which are the basic building blocks required to help in cancer treatments. This seed is also an excellent source of vitamin B-17.

Chia Seeds have been scientifically proven to have immense nutritional and medicinal importance as a result Chia seeds are recommended regularly by doctors and the dieticians all over the world.

Being rich in essential fatty acids, chia seeds reduces high blood pressure and is best for cardiovascular health.  Chia seeds health benefits for diabetics have an ability to stabilize blood sugar levels.  The anti-inflammatory properties of chia seeds are beneficial for arthritic patients. It has been found to be effective in reducing the pain and inflammation, associated with the condition.  Chia seeds boost metabolism and also promotes lean muscle mass. It is one of those foods, which is rich in nutrients and is filling, but is low in calories. So, chia seeds are used for weight loss and weight maintenance programs.  One of the most important chia seeds health benefits is that they help in improving the function of the brain. The essential fatty acids promote efficient nerve transmission.

Chia seeds are known to increase the energy production in the body. The energy produced by these seeds lasts longer allowing one to perform day-to-day tasks without getting tired and stressed.   The omega-3 fatty acids in the chia seeds also help you maintain the health of your heart as omega-3 fatty acids are good for body as well as the heart. It is the highest vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids.   Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for better absorption of fat soluble vitamins, such as, vitamin A, vitamin d, vitamin E, and vitamin K, etc.   The protein and calcium content in chia seeds also help you build muscles and strengthen the bones and hence gifting you with a great physique if combined with regular exercise regimen.   The antioxidants along with minerals and vitamins keep you youthful and improve the condition of your hair and skin making you look younger.   Once soaked in water, these seeds can also be beneficial for those trying to lose weight as the soluble fiber in the chia seeds makes one feel full faster thus controlling the excessive food intake and cravings for fatty foods.    Eating water soaked chia seeds is also known to cleanse the digestive system by eliminating junk build up from the intestines. It also helps you get rid of toxins in the digestive tract.

Chia Seeds stay fresh for so long. At room temperature, they’ll stay fresh and ready to eat for over two whole years! And that’s all without a single chemical or preservative. This amazing ability is not found in other seeds like flax or sesame, because those seeds don’t have the same rich anti-oxidant content.

Anti-oxidants help prevent free-radical damage in your body. Free radicals lead to problematic conditions such as premature aging of the skin and inflammation of various tissues. Fight free radical damage by staying fresh and healthy with nature’s anti-oxidant powerhouse.

Which is better Flax seeds or Chia seeds?

There are a lot of differences in the two.  Chia seeds are much healthier than flax seeds and do not go rancid.  Chia has more omega 3 then flax.   Chia seeds contain antioxidants and flax seeds do not contain any antioxidants.  The dietary fibre content in the Flax is lower than Chia seeds. Chia seeds contains three times more calcium then flax.  Chia seeds have more phosphorus than flax seeds.

Flaxseeds have a thick husk that cannot be digested, so they must be ground for your body to get at those nutrients. Chia can be eaten whole or ground.  Chia has a neutral flavor. Flaxseeds have a more pronounced flavor, which limits it’s uses.  When left in water for 30 minutes, chia become a gel that can be used in place of eggs, oil and butter in cooking and baking.  Chia seeds are known for their energy giving properties. In fact, it’s a favorite with runners.

Flaxseeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release toxic, hydrogen cyanide when hydrated.  A study conducted by the University of Toronto found that up to 50 g is safe.  Though they say its safe why put any type of toxins in your body.  Chia, on the other hand, has no known toxins.  So CHIA wins hands down!

What are Essential Fatty Acids ( EFAs )?

Chia seeds, one of Nature’s perfect foods, the seeds possess 19-23% protein and the amino acids of chia protein have no limiting factors in the adult diet (i.e., they are a complete protein source providing all of the essential amino acids in an appropriate balance).  They also contain oil amounts varying between 32-39%, with the oil offering the highest known natural percentage of Omega-3 fatty acids, (60-63%). Higher levels than Flax seed, Algae and Fish Oils.  One ounce of Chia has as much essential fatty acids as 8 ounces of fresh Salmon.

So what are essential fatty acids?  This is a question many individuals ask, so I am going to try to explain it in simple language.  Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore have to be obtained from foods. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are the essential fatty acids for humans and other animals that the body must have.  They are precursors of powerful hormones that affect many biological processes.  Scientists say that the ideal ratio is from 1:1 to 5:1.  That is from 1 up to 5 Omega-6 to 1 Omega-3.   Modern diets are very rich in Omega-6, derived primarily from vegetable and animal fats, and are lacking in Omega-3 fatty acids,   So today’s typical diet has a ratio of 15:1 omega-6/omega-3. This imbalance increases the risk of coronary heart disease and also heightens the body’s natural inflammatory processes, which indirectly causes many health problems.

But it gets more complicated as there are three sources of Omega-3 essential fatty acids.  There is quite a lot of debate on the three types and which one humans need.  The first type ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is common in vegetable oils, and is especially rich in seed oils (including chia seed oil). ALA is an “essential fatty acid”, as it cannot be produced in the human body – it must be included in the diet.  I believe this omega 3 fatty acid is the most important one, because the other two forms of Omega-3: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) our bodies can make.   But many advocate getting these other two oils from fish and other animal sources.  That is why you here so much about fish oils and Omega-3.  So for me there is no debate, since our body can make these two Omega-3’s why go to an inferior animal source for these two Omega-3 oils.   And as you read earlier that roasting or cooking a seed destroys some of its nutritional value, (but not the Omega-3 according to the scientists).  But all the other nutrients found in the seed have been harmed.  So we need to be eating the seed, preferably the Chia seed and not Chia oil.  Would you believe that these Chia seed also contain Omega-6 and at a ratio of 3:2.  Talk about a SUPER FOOD, it’s CHIA SEEDS

Is Chia better than Fish oil or Fish?
Most people know that omega-3s are good for heart health. Maybe you’ve been taking fish oil supplements for years. But now that you’re hearing about chia seeds, you’re starting to wonder if  Chia is better than fish oil,  YES, YES, YES.

First, one of the latest studies done by scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle linked eating a lot of oily fish or taking potent fish oil supplements to a 43% increased risk for prostate cancer overall, and a 71% increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Their report was published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Fish oil, being derived from animals, can be very high in saturated fats (as high as 30%, depending on the species of fish). Chia seed oil is much lower, at around 10% saturated fat. (Whole chia seeds contain around 3% saturated fat by weight.)
Fish can contain high levels of mercury, lead, DDE (formed when DDT breaks down),

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, which are synthetic chemicals and other toxins.
Chia seeds contain no harmful chemicals or toxins.  So again Chia wins hands down.

CHIA SEED RECIPES

Chia seeds do not have a very strong taste unlike other seeds, which is why they can be easily used in various recipes without damaging the original taste.  These seeds are so versatile that you can use them in different recipes. You can sprinkle them on salads as seasonings, add to your smoothies, muffins, pastas, noodles, pizza, etc.

Making a batch of chia gel is simple,  Chia seeds absorb approx. ten times their weight in water, so use a ratio of ten parts water to one part chia seeds. Put the water in a seal able plastic bowl and slowly pour in the seeds while whisking with a wire whisk to prevent clumps. Let stand for a few minutes before whisking again, repeat this process once, in approx 10 minutes it will be a gell, then seal the bowl and store the gel in the refrigerator. It will last up to two weeks.  Because of their gelatinous texture they can be used as an egg replacer in cooking.  Use 1 tablespoon finely ground chia seeds (grind them dry in a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder) and 3 tablespoons of water per egg in a baked recipe.

Do you enjoy making baked goods at home with less fat, but hate all the butter and oil that has to go into them? Chia gel can substitute for half the butter in most recipes! The food will bake the same and taste the same (or better) from the addition of the chia gel. All you need to do is divide the amount of butter or oil in half, and then use the same amount of chia gel to fill in. The anti-oxidants in chia can even help keep the food  tasting fresh longer. Everything from cookies to cakes to muffins, pancakes and waffles can be made with chia gel as your butter replacement.

These Chia seeds can be eaten in this gell form one or two tablespoons per day.  They may also be soaked in fruit juice or water to make a dish known as chia fresca or use the recipe below for a chia smoothie.

CHIA FRUIT SMOOTHIE
Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups of milk of your choice, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.

1 tablespoon sugar or honey

2 tablespoons chia gell

1/2 teaspoon vanilla optional

1 cup frozen fruit such as strawberries, bananas, mangoes, pineapple, blueberries, etc.

Note:  You can also mix them, I like to mix 2 mangos to one banana, tastes great.

 

Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.

 For many more Chia Recipes go to Google or You Tube

How can a seed with NO flavor help the foods you already like to taste better? First, because they have no taste of their own, chia seeds will never cover up or add to the flavor of your food. Second, when the seeds hydrate, they magnify the taste of whatever they were added to. Chia sprouts are also edible and can be used in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes, much like bean sprouts.


The Side Effects of Chia

     Chia seeds are good but at the same time there are some side effects of these seeds. One of the effects it can have on you is lowering the blood pressure, especially if you are in an older age group.  Chia seeds are actually capable of lowering blood pressure to a dangerous level. Because chia seeds contains omega-3s, which can thin the blood, if you are taking blood thinners, planning surgery or on an aspirin regimen, it is recommended that you consult a doctor prior to use.” This effectively means that even haemophiliacs should keep away from chia seeds. 

  Fish has been identified as one of the top four allergens in adults, along with peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. Anyone who suffers from a fish allergy will be effected by fish oil supplements. However, people who have allergies to mustard – a much rarer condition, but one that deserves mention – have reported being allergic to chia.    Should you have a reaction when you eat Chia seeds, then you must avoid Chia seeds completely.

They have been given the recognition of being a food item by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of USA and has also definitively been given the stamp that it has no poisonous tendencies at all. 

NOTE:  The omega-3 daily intake recommended is 4 grams. Approximately 0.7 ounces (20 grams or 2 tablespoons) of chia seed provides 4 grams of omega-3.

 Author  Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D.  is retired and lives in Granada, Nicaragua and keeps active sharing natural ways to stay healthy.   You can get a free electronic copy of his book NATURAL MEDICINE which has 47 chapters on how to stay Healthy, Happy and Holy  by going to his web site  A Natural Cure for Cancer :: Cancer Natural Cure – Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover 

His newest book NATURAL WAYS TO PREVENT CANCER can be purchased from Amazon Kindle for the next few months for only $1.99

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