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?®

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?®

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?®

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?®

Chia can help with diabetes and weight loss

A recent study, reported in the Journal of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, which utilized 60 people half of which were in the control group, showed that consuming 30 grams of chia a day for 6 months reduced C-reactive protein, waste circumference and weight. 

This study once again demonstrates that daily consumption of chia can have significant health benefits not only in those suffering from diabetes, but also those that are overweight.

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.

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

Soy and Breast Cancer - be cautious when eating soy

Cancer Treatment Centers of America has made the following statements regarding soy and breast cancer:
The debate arises over a component in soy called isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens or plant estrogens. For years, researchers have speculated about the safety of plant estrogens in women at risk for, or with a history of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

A recent study revealed that soy protein supplements may affect genes in a way that is not good for women with breast cancer.

Interestingly, they say for men with prostate cancer, the isoflavones in soy may be beneficial,.


The Mayo Clinic says:
Soy should be used cautiously in people with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, or hormone-sensitive conditions such as endometriosis.
So bottom line, why take a risk. Stay away as much as possible and eat chia to get your fiber and protein.


azChia says: Have you had your chia today?®

#soy #breast cancer

Eating too much tuna can be a problem

In the June issue of consumer reports there is an article about the levels of mercury in tuna, given the fact that the FDA is now debating the limits people should consume. The article suggests limiting canned albacore tuna to no more than 4.5 oz per week, canned light tuna to 13.5 oz per week. It also notes that Ahi tuna (both yellowfin and bigeye) which are frequently used in sushi is high in mercury, and hence should be avoided, while other types of tuna should be limited based on the type. In particular, pregnant women should avoid tuna altogether. Another concern is orange roughy and marlin should be avoided for the most vulnerable groups.

So to get your omega3s and eliminate the worry about mercury contamination, eat chia.

AZChia says GOT CHIA?

#tuna #omega3 

How important is fiber in our diets? - Chia Seed is a great source

A study just published in BMC Public Health Journal reported that if Americans would increase the fiber in their diets, health costs would decrease significantly.  The authors stated that "Accumulating evidence indicates that greater dietary fiber intakes reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, weight gain, obesity and diverticular disease as well as functional constipation.  The authors estimate that at least a $2 billion savings in health care costs could be achieved among adults with only a 3 g/day increase in fiber was undertaken by only 50% of the population.

Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber and contain on average 34% dietary fiber of which 4% is soluble.

Given that chia seeds have been classified as a food by the FDA this means one can consume as much chia seed as one would like.  The only caveat is that if you are on a low fiber diet, increase your consumption of chia seeds slowly since loose bowels could result with a rapid increase.

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.

How to Make Your Own Recipes for Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a versatile food that adds omega3 fatty acids, protein, fiber and antioxidants to your diet. In addition to being able to sprinkle the seeds directly onto a wide range of foods to take advantage of these benefits, there are also numerous ways to enjoy chia seeds in recipes that can improve a healthy diet even more. You will find over 100 recipes at AZChia that tell you how to introduce chia into all types of recipes so as to add the nutrients that chia contains, and also provides tips for using chia as a substitute for ingredients that are not as healthy such as eggs and saturated fats. The result is a greater diversity of healthy foods and delicious tastes that suit almost anyone.

One example of an easy chia seed recipe  is to use a brownie mix that calls for 2 or 3 eggs. Instead, use three egg whites with 3 teaspoons of whole chia seeds. Other than increasing the liquid used and cooking time by a few minutes, the recipe is prepared in the same way as one would normally do it. This gives you the option to use a low cost brownie mix or any other kind of packaged baking treat as a healthy snack that doesn’t have the whole egg or oil added to it, which adds cholesterol or unhealthy fats to your diet. With so many choices available as to how you use chia seeds, there is no reason that everyone cannot get the added nutrition that makes chia the world’s healthiest whole food.

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

Chia Varieties, Chia Strains? - not factual terms

there are over 100 chia varieties 

there are variants of the most potent strains of chia  

I can tell you without reservation that after having worked on chia for more than 20 years, that there are essentially only 3 kinds of chia being grown commercially.

They are: Solid black, mottled grey black, and white or cream.

Note that the last two comprise what is generally being grown and sold today as black chia, and are the source from which essentially all chia originated.

These 3 "types" have been referred to as: varieties, selections, strains, to name a few terms used.

Truly the best description as to what these should be called are germplasm lines.

In no way are they varieties nor strains. People have been simply using these “buzz” words as marketing tools.

The following technical definitions are provided by a very well qualified plant scientist. Use them to help you decide.

Wayne


Cultivar: A cultivar is a cultivated variety. This is a bred and released line which has something different from others which will give growers certain characteristics repeatedly. In other words, a cultivar is a group of plants selected for desirable characteristics that can be maintained by different propagation techniques. This, although not very recent, is a newer term for what we used to call varieties. To the point, cultivars have characteristics that are easily distinguishable from other cultivars, and the characteristic is uniform/stable under repeated propagation. The plants in a cultivar may not all be genetically identical, but they breed true for the desired characteristics. Even though we all use these terms, Variety, Selection and Strain can be confusing, ambiguous and often interchanged, which just adds to confusion among non-plant breeders. We all talk about “improving strains,” for instance, but strain can mean different things to different people, so perhaps best to avoid these terms.

Variety: This is a released line that is genetically different and should breed true for whatever traits it has been bred for. The term variety is also confused because in botanical hierarchies, there can be varieties found under species that have nothing to do with plant breeding. Selection: Selection is really a technique where a new or desired trait is chosen by a plant breeder, and really depends upon the mode of reproduction for the plant. These techniques can range from single-plant selection, to half-sib selection, to full-sib selection, to mass selection, among others, all depending upon the plants reproductive biology. In many new/alternative crops, much improvement has been done by either mass selection, where the best plants are selected for a trait, and their seed bulked and then planted the next generation; or single-plant selection, where individuals with desired traits are selected and their progeny tested for the trait. Unfortunately, the progeny of these techniques are often just called selections, and that name can stick for quite some time.  

Strain: Here is an example of how terms get confused from the Vegetable Seed Saving Handbook, under the section title of How to Select a New Strain from an Existing Variety: “The easiest way to create new plant varieties is by simple 'selection.' Selection means allowing only plants that show desirable traits to produce seeds. If any plants don't show the traits you are looking for, you prevent them from pollinating the plants you have selected.” Strain is a word we all use, but its exact meaning is often dependent upon context.

Germplasm: Is all of the genetic resources for a species (plant or animal).

Germplasm line: Is a breeding stock that is maintained to preserve genetic diversity from which selections can be made (a valuable resource for breeders). Germplasm lines can be land races, open pollinated varieties, exotic accessions, wild species, etc., and are usually in a germplasm collection (e.g., USDA or a seed company). Whether from an individual or a group of plants, a germplasm line contains enough genetic diversity from which selections can be made, and often have a specific marker genotype (e.g., black seed or white seed). A plant breeder would take a germplasm line, make selections and make it uniform for the desired traits.