Chia Seed: Lots of Good Stuff in a Small Package

It is an ancient seed once prized by Aztec warriors who would never entertain a conquest without it and considered it a Superfood for endurance. It is a whole food source of pure Omega3, and just recently Dr. Oz featured this dynamic little seed on Oprah recommending it for dietary fiber and omega-3’s.

And you thought chia was only used to sprout “hair” on terra cotta likenesses of sheep, Uncle Charley and Homer Simpson.

Chia, known formally as salvia hispanica, is a remarkably nutritious seed that is power packed with omega-3’s, omega-6 and loaded with high-ORAC antioxidants, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and many trace minerals.

While it is a staple among hikers and mountain climbers, chia seed taken everyday can easily become a dietary essential for anyone who suffers from PCOS by enhancing your energy, stamina and endurance.

Pound for pound, this tiny little seed – about 1 mm in diameter – is chocked full of proteins, oils and dietary fiber. About 34 percent of chia is oil, and 64 percent of that is omega-3, an essential fatty acid.

It’s important to know that our bodies do not produce omega-3. We can only ingest it by eating cold water fish like herring, salmon and sardines or spirulina, pumpkin or chia seeds.

The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of an omega-3 source weekly.

More importantly, chia absorbs more than 12 times its weight in water, prolonging hydration and helping the body regulate body fluids and the absorbtion of nutrients and also maintaining electrolyte balance.

Researchers also believe the gel that forms when chia begins to absorb moisture creates a barrier of sorts between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes, slowing the conversion of carbs to sugar. The decreased conversion rate is the primary factor in increased endurance without the highs and lows, peaks and valleys, normally associated with the process.

PCOS symptoms range broadly, and rarely will one find one “magic pill” for the condition. So it is vitally important to start at the beginning, where the rubber meets the road, with a well balanced, healthy diet.

Incorporating chia, with its abundance of protein, fiber and essential oils, is sound addition to anyone’s diet, no less for those that suffer from PCOS.

Now, go water Uncle Charley’s head.

The Complex Nature of B Vitamins

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of vitamin B complex, primarily because vitamin B is not one compound, but eight different vitamins your body uses, quite literally, from head to toe.

Turkey, liver and tuna are excellent sources of B complex, and these water-soluble compounds can also be found in whole, unprocessed foods such as molasses, lentils, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, tempeh and c hile peppers.

As with most vitamins and nutrients, if you’re eating a wholesome, healthy diet, you can expect to get the B complex vitamins you need. If you’re not eating right, however, you need to consider other sources.

New Chapter's Coenzyme B Food Complex™ delivers 8 different nourishing probiotic vitamins as well as 11 stress-balancing, soothing and restorative herbs and mushrooms cultured for maximum effectiveness.

Thiamine (B1) is absolutely essential for daily function. Every part of your body, especially the heart, needs it to make energy.

Riboflavin (B2) assists in the production of red blood cells, helps the nervous system to function properly and activates B6 and folic acid to make them more effective.

Niacin (B3) has been shown to be an effective treatment for high cholesterol and helps breakdown and release energy from carbs, fats and proteins.

B5 is converted to pantethine, which can lower triglyceride and to a lesser extent reduce blood serum cholesterol levels, benefiting those with high triglyceride levels and Type 2 diabetes.

B6 is needed to produce the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, so its cognitive attributes are particularly important. There is also strong evidence that B6 can significantly lower chances of heart disease, and it has been linked positively to treatments for PMS, childhood asthma and Alzheimer’s disease.

B12 is important for metabolism and maintaining a healthy nervous system and cognitive function. It is necessary for calcium absorption, and research indicates that the body’s ability to absorb B12 declines with age. It should be noted that B12 is not available from plants, which is a considerable concern for those on vegetarian and vegan diets.

Biotin (B7) is required for the formation of certain nucleic acids and glycogen, and important enzyme in the digestive and energy-producing process. It is also necessary for healthy hair and nails.

Supplementation of folic acid, or B9, is recommended during pregnancy, and research also shows its use may slow the effects of age on cognitive functions and the brain. Its key function is metabolizing fatty and amino acids, and it also helps in the production of red blood cells.

The B complex vitamins also reduce the effects of stress on the body.
So which one do you want to do without? Oh, and by the way – and we’re not making eye contact with anyone here – but a study found in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that an over-abundance of alcohol intake reduces vitamin B levels in the body.

Just thought you might want to know before Friday night.

So think about what you’re eating. If you’re not getting your vitamin B, you’re not getting a lot of things your body needs.

Jim Mayfield is the lead shipper and writer for The Organic Affair, online retailer of natural, organic whole food vitamins, supplements, and organic teas. Visit us at www.theorganicaffair.com.