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Health Benefits of Chia and Flax
By Jordan Rubin – ExtraOrdinary Health Article
 Remember the catchy Ch-ch-ch-chia chant? Well, move over chia pets.
There’s a new chia in town, and it’s packing an impressive nutritional
wallop in everything from nutrition bars and supplements to infant
formulas and baby foods.
Why all the buzz about chia?
For starters, chia provides the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty
acids, which has been shown to support cardiovascular and brain
health, among other benefits. In fact, the omega-3 fatty acid found in
chia is known as alpha linolenic fatty acid or ALA—an essential fatty
acid that people must consume in their diets because the body cannot
make it. (You may have also heard of the fatty acids EPA and DHA. The
body manufactures those from ALA.)
But that’s not all. Chia also contains natural antioxidants and
phytonutrients, has no cholesterol, is low in saturated fat, has no
toxic or “anti-nutritional” factors, and is sustainable and
environmentally-friendly.
Add that to the fact that chia seeds offer a balance of omega-3 to
omega-6 fatty acids, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber to support
digestive health, and a source of high quality protein, and you have
some pretty amazing nutritional factors.
The truth is that chia is one of the best functional foods—foods
providing one or more health-promoting components—in the marketplace
today. It often shares the spotlight with flax, which has similar
qualities as chia.
And there's good reason why it shares the spotlight with flax.
Flaxseeds are also rich sources of the essential fatty acid ALA. They
contain antioxidants and offer a good source of digestion-supporting
fiber, as well as magnesium. Flax, too, has grown in popularity
recently, although its use dates back at least 3,000 years.
Flax is a favorite of many people, but for some vegans and
vegetarians, it has been the seed of choice because it, like chia,
offers a high-quality, non-animal source of omega-3 fatty acids.
 But whether a person chooses chia or flax, it’s a win-win situation.
Some people, however, choose both and get the benefits of this dynamic
duo.
Note from Christine:
The
Super Seed fiber formula by
Garden of Life
contains both the ground Chia and Flax seeds. It is a tasty fiber
formula that I take every day because it is an excellent source of
dietary fiber and it contains a whole food blend of seeds, sprouted
grains and legumes that provides both soluble and insoluble fiber.
For more information on Super Seed, Click Here.
The statements contained in this article have not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information
contained here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent
any disease. Suggestions and ideas presented in this article are for
information only and should not be interpreted as medical advice,
meant for diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers
are encouraged to consult their health care provider before beginning
any cleanse, diet, detoxification program, or any supplement regimen.
The information in this document is not to be used to replace the
services or instructions of a physician or qualified health care
practitioner. |
