Omega3 and Prenatal Depression - new correlation

A new study found that women with prenatal depression had lower omega3 levels in their blood.  This further substantiates that omega3 is an important food component that must be consumed during pregnancy. As chia is the highest plant source of omega3 its consumption during pregnancy should be considered essential.

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Omega3 deficiencies in teenagers can yield to anxious adults

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reports that omega3 deficiencies in adolescent mice has led to behavioral problems in adulthood. The implications here are that the same could hold true in humans and hence consumption of omega3 fatty acids, such as those found in chia could be very important.

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Increasing omeag3/omega6 ratios can improve fetal health

A study just published in Clinical Nutrition indicated that increasing the omega3/omega6 ratio in the diet (either by cutting omega6 consumption, increasing omega3 consumption or doing both) from mid pregnancy onward can improve fetal health. This improvement was demonstrated by increased fetal growth including increased weight, length and head size.

Pregnant women: Have you had your chia today?®

New study shows ALA is important for brain function

A study just published in Nutritional Neuroscience, which was conducted at the University of Illinois using 100 people between the ages of 65 and 75, showed that ALA along with SDA and ETE were important in increasing fluid intelligence. This is the ability of the brain to cope with new novel situations via the process of inductive and deductive reasoning.

Hence this study shows that the shorter chain omega3 fatty acids are important to humans. Results of this study show that consumption of chia, which is the highest plant source of ALA (Alpha Linoleic fatty acid), can lead to improved brain function.

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Importance of Omega3 in pre and post natal depression

A new study confirms the importance of omega3 in helping to tackle pre and post natal depression was recently published in Biological Psychiatry. The study was a meta-analysis of 12 other studies and not only showed how important omega3 was, but also pointed to the fact that higher omega6/omega3 ratios were as big of a concern.  So the key here is to increase omega3 consumption (a great source being chia) while reducing omega6 consumption (soy etc). 

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Omega3 intakes of pregnant women in the US are low - cause for concern

A study that looked at food intakes of more than 7000 women of childbearing age showed their intake of omega3 fatty acids to be way below recommended levels.  Of the study groups, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations were found to be more susceptible to potential deficiencies. Additionally white participants had the lowest intakes compared to Hispanics and blacks.

Why is this a concern? Omega-3 fatty acids play critical roles during fetal growth and development, with increased intakes associated with improved maternal-fetal outcomes.

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Omega3 could decrease mortality rates in postmenopausal women

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at omega3 scores in postmenopausal women over a 15 year period.  The authors found that women with the highest omega3 blood scores were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause, than those with the lowest omega3 levels.

So once again consuming chia with its high omega3 content can help to reduce mortality rates.

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Chia oil consumption increases DHA content of breast milk

A study conducted in 2015 showed that consumption of 16 mL of chia oil from the third trimester of pregnancy through the first six months of nursing increased the ALA content of breast milk while reducing the LA content.  Additionally, DHA content increased during the first three months of nursing. 

Given the fact that DHA is fundamental for brain and visual function in humans, this study would suggest that consuming chia, chia oil in particular, can lead to healthier babies.

Have you had your chia today?®