3 Simple Ways to Start Your Day with CHIA

• Add to your morning milk, juice or smoothie
• Sprinkle on your oatmeal or cereal
• Sprinkle on top of the jam, cream cheese or peanut butter you put on your toast or bagel

^{Have you had your chia today? ®}

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Eating Chia Increases Blood ALA and EPA Content

A study just published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition reported on the changes in the blood of women consuming chia for 7 weeks.

The milled chia was consumed at 25 grams per day. Unfortunately it contained only 16% ALA vs the normal 20% of the oil content found in good quality chia.

ALA and EPA contents in the blood increased starting at week 2. By the end of the test, blood ALA and EPA contents had increased significantly (138 and 30 percent, respectively).

What else does this study demonstrate? ALA is converted to EPA, and that both fatty acids increase in the blood when chia is consumed. So the study confirms earlier findings as to how consuming chia can change blood composition for the good.

Just think what high quality chia could do if consumed regularly?

Have you had your chia today?®

Obesity and Chia

A recent study in Australia with obese rats was conducted to assess chia's potential benefit in helping to protect the heart and liver.

Following the first 8 weeks of the trial in which rats were fed a high carbohydrate high fat diet, chia was added at the rate of 5% of the ration. Rat weight and plasma composition was recorded after 8 weeks of chia supplementation.

At the conclusion of the trial ALA, DHA and EPA contents of the plasma significantly increased compared to the control group.  In addition, the rats showed improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, as well as reduced cardio and hepatic inflammation without changes in blood pressure.

The authors concluded that chia as a source of ALA induces lipid redistribution associated with cardioprotection and hepatoprotection.

What does this mean: Chia can provide heart and liver protection, especially when dealing with obesity.

Have you had your chia today? ^®