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.

Have you had your chia today?®

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.

Have you had your chia today?®

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.

Have you had your chia today?®

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). 

Have you had your chia today?®

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.

Have you had your chia today?®

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.

Have you had your chia today?®

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?®

FDA guidelines for claiming omega3 content in foods - chia can be considered a high source of omega3 (ALA)

In January of 2016 the FDA issued new guidance rules for what claims can be made for the omega3 nutrient content of foods. 

Specifically claims for DHA and EPA are not allowed, with the FDA stating: "We are prohibiting the nutrient content claims for DHA and EPA set forth in the three notifications because they are not based on an authoritative statement that identifies a nutrient level to which the claims refer, as required by the FD&C Act."

However they did allow nutrient content claims for ALA (the type of omega3 found in chia) with HIGH being allowed for ≥ 320 mg of ALA per RACC (≥ 20% of 1.6 g/day) and GOOD SOURCE for ≥ 160 mg of ALA per RACC (≥ 10% of 1.6 g/day) where RACC stands for: "reference amount customarily consumed".

Thus one can easily say that according to FDA guidelines, chia has a HIGH content of omega3 per 15 gm serving, since it contains approximately 2900 gm of ALA which is almost 10 times the required amount.

Have you had your chia today?®

ALA omega3 (the type found in chia) can help prevent fatal heart attacks

A study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has concluded that ALA (the type of omega3 found in chia) can reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks. This study also supports the fact that the omega3 found in fish (DHA and EPA) can also reduce the effect of fatal heart attacks. The authors stated that the ALA marker was associated with a 9% reduced risk of a fatal heart attack, while the EPA and DHA marker was associated with a 10% reduced risk.

Clearly this refutes earlier studies that had said consuming ALA was ineffective in regards to reducing coronary heart issues.

Vitamin E (an antioxidant) intake should be increased when consuming PUFAs - not necessary with CHIA

A recent study reported in the British Journal of Nutrition stated that people need to increase their Vitamin E intake when eating PUFAs (Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids) to prevent oxidation of these fatty acids in the body. Actually consuming high levels of PUFAs without consuming sufficient Vitamin E can lead to Vitamin E deficiency in the body.

This study comes on heels of recent recommendations of the need for people to increase their PUFA intake levels, while decreasing their saturated fatty acid intake.

Here is where chia comes into play.  It has natural antioxidants so increasing intake of Vitamin E is NOT needed. 

This is good news for two reasons:  Firstly ingesting other items when eating can be bothersome, and secondly ingesting too much Vitamin E can be dangerous as it is actually toxic at high levels.

So we say "Have you had your chia today?®

Lactating women should restrict flaxseed intake.

Lactating women should restrict flaxseed intake: Researchers Say, as reported by Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn+ , 04-Sep-2015

Flaxseed intake during lactation should be limited as it may change maternal adrenal function, research in rats has suggested.

Link to her article: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Lactating-women-should-restrict-flaxseed-intake-Researchers

This research was just reported in the British Journal of Nutrition. Link to abstract: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9942682

What can we take away from this?

Flaxseed has been shown to have several issues, particularly in lactating and pregnant women, and young children as well.  This has not been the case for chia, so make the switch to chia, should you now be consuming flaxseed.

azCHIA says: Have you had your chia today?®

Pregnant women typically do not get enough omega3

A recent report from the University of Alberta in Canada says that only 27% of pregnant women get enough omega3, and then only 25% consume enough omega3 at 3 months postpartum.

This is a serious concern. Omega3 during pregnancy is important for eye and brain development in the fetus, and postpartum women need sufficient omega3 for their recovery.

So what can be done? Yes there are marine sources of omega3, but contaminants are a concern and consequently these should be consumed in limited amounts.

A plant based source of omega3, like chia, is the solution. Not only is contamination a non-issue, it is a sustainable supply of omeg3.


So azChia says:  Have you had your chia today? ®

#pregnancy #omega3 #health

Omega-3 fatty acids may help fight prostate cancer - new findings

A new study conducted by Washington State University which was published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in February 2015 found that omega3 fatty acids provide a novel mechanism for the suppression of cancer cell proliferation and in essence inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. This finding challenges a 2013 study which claimed omega3s increase the risk of prostrate cancer. These results are very encouraging but the researchers caution that although promising, more research on dosage required is needed to confirm the efficacy of such a treatment. #prostate #cancer

Chia Seeds Nutrition Has Worked For Centuries

Chia was an important crop during pre-Columbian times until the discovery of America when cultivation decreased. From that time until the late 1990’s, only a small amount of chia was cultivated in its native Mexico. During pre-Columbian times, chia was one of four main crops the Aztecs and was a key component of their diets. The Aztecs grew chia, beans, amaranth and maize in a sort of primitive hydroponics system to produce the nutritious crops that contained the nutrition which meets that of the ideal diet today.

Chia seed nutritional aspects were observed more than 500 years ago by the Aztecs, even without the kind of research that is used today to evaluate the benefits of various foods in the diet. Today, modern science has determined that these pre-Columbian diets were better than those eaten today. Although the natural food was forced into obscurity, chia seeds nutrition and ease of use has brought it to the forefront again. Chia offers an easy way to add omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein and dietary fiber to the diet. Thanks to the efforts of the Northwestern Argentina Regional Project in initiating a chia research and development program, new production areas and the development of commercial production practices have led to the introduction of chia as a commercially available food. Its composition and nutritional values has positioned chia to be a key player in the future for use in both human food and animal feed.

Are all carbs in foods equal? How does chia enter the equation?

The truth of the matter is, they are not.

If you look at chia for example: a serving of 25 grams of chia has 10g of carbohydrates and 10 grams of fiber.

People trying to avoid carbs in their diet would obviously say this is way too much and I am not going to eat chia. 

The issue here is that fiber is counted as carbohydrates in any analysis done on a food. So in this case the reality of the situation is that chia has no carbs that you want to avoid. Why is this so? Because fiber is not broken down into glucose.

Wayne

Omega3 and Risk of Hip Fracture in Women

A study recently published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that increasing the omega3 content of the red blood cells, and decreasing the omega6/omega3 ratio can help to reduce hip fracture risks in women. In particular they noted that a higher alpha linolenic content of the red blood cells may predict lower hip fracture risk.

Consuming chia, which is the highest plant source of omega3, has been shown to increase the alpha linolenic (omega3) content of the blood.

Thus this study points to another very good reason that women, in particular, should consume chia.

Omega3 and Prostate Cancer - Is there an increased risk from their consumption?

A study just published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute warned that omega3 intakes can lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

But here is the key to the study...........it is ONLY the long chain omega3s (DHA and EPA) that are the concern! These are found in marine products such as salmon, etc. or in the oils produced from them.

The short chain form of omega3 found in chia is ALA and there is no evidence that there is a risk of increased prostate cancer from consuming ALA.

Bottom line is that this study confirms an earlier one published several years ago in Europe that consumption of long chain omega3s (EPA and DHA) can increase the risk of prostate cancer.

So any recommendations that are made to consume these forms of omega3 should also carry a warning of the potential risks as well.

Whole Chia Seed or Milled Chia Seed - more proof they work the same in the body

A study just published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on a clinical trial in which whole chia seeds and milled chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L) were incorporated at three levels and then baked into bread.

The clinical trial found all chia amounts to reduce blood glucose levels compared to the control.  The three levels of chia, 7, 14 and 24 g showed significant main effect of dose (amount of chia), but no effect of form (milled vs whole chia). 

In each case chia reduced bloo glucose iAUCs by 20, 28 and 35% respectively.

Once again there is proof that the decision on whether to eat whole chia seed or milled chia seed should be decided on consumer preference, and not be based on myths or false claims.

Whole Chia Seed or Milled Chia Seed?

There is increasing discussion about the benefits of whole chia seed, compared to milled chia seed.

Some argue that whole chia seed will simply pass through the body leaving you with little to no benefit with all the components simply excreted.

This is definitely the case for flaxseed since it has a very hard seed coat. Unless the seed is opened, sprouted, cooked etc. and the coat opened, it will pass through the body.

Chia seed, on the other hand, has a soft seed coat. The omega3 fatty acid in the seed being protected by the natural antioxidants it contains, rather than being protected by a hard seed coat, as in the case of flaxseed.

Now some people have said I looked in the toilet and saw the seeds.  No that is not what they are seeing, rather it is the seed coat which is the insoluble part of the seed.  If one were to carefully examine the remains it would be a hollow incomplete shell.

In theory it would make sense that opening the seed would expose more of the inside of the seed to the stomach so that the benefits could be gained.  It may be true that it might act a bit faster, but that is about it.

Why do I say the seeds do not need to be milled to be taken advantage of? 

There are just way too many people that have consumed only whole chia seeds and have seen remarkable changes in cholesterol, weight loss, less joint pain, lessened glycemic spikes, more energy, etc.  I doubt these people are making up their unsolicited stories to please the world.  They are simply telling the world how well whole chia seed has helped them.

Wayne