Chia is an ancient superfood that is not very well known, except for the annual advertisement for Chia Pets around the Holidays.
Raw chia seeds are often called "runner's food". Chia is a nutrient-rich superfood that provides sustained energy for your body. Packed with more than 8 times the omega-3's found in salmon, this small seed as big nutritional value. With more antioxidants that blueberries and more fiber than oatmeal, the health benefits of using chia as part of a comprehensive nutritional plan for helping heal autoimmune health challenges is smart.
One key factor in helping heal the autoimmune patient is healing the digestive tract. Knowing the health of the digestive tract is important. Specific accurate testing is absolutely essential in understanding digestive system health. Fortunately Cyrex labs and Metametrix Labs provide me with excellent tests.
Some key factors in healing the digestive tract are:
- Elimination of allergic foods (based on testing)
- Elimination of immune system aggravating foods (again based on testing)
- Including immune balancing omega-3 fatty acids
- Including soluble fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria
- Reducing sugary foods - also known as high glycemic index foods
- Increasing vitamin D - known to help regulate the immune system
Chia seeds are high in soluble fiber and calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. They also produce a sugar balancing effect when eaten with foods. This is a great combination. Chia seeds can be used as substitutes for allergenic foods in recipes (for example, eggs) and can be a meal alomost all alone, as in the case of chia pudding for a breakfast cereal. I eat chia pudding at least once per week. It's YUMMY!
To further the concept of chia seeds belonging to the superfood family, consider this little seed has been purported to have:
- Two times the protein of any other seed or grain
- Five times the calcium of milk, plus boron, which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones
- Two times the amount of potassium as bananas
- Three times more iron than spinach.
- All the essential amino acids that make the a complete protein in an easily digestible form
Now you know why I am a BIG fan of chia seeds. I have additional great information and recipes, so click on the big orange link below to download this multi-page document in PDF format. You will LOVE it!
