Chia Is The "it food" for 2013

After earning its reputation as a “hairy” pet 30 years ago, Chia is finally getting the true credit it’s due – as a superfood! I first wrote about the benefits of chia in my Fat Flush for Life book in 2009, and it’s encouraging to see that chia’s benefits have finally achieved mainstream recognition. In fact, there has been so much buzz about chia recently that ABC News called it the “it food” of 2013.
Not only can chia halt hunger, and get things “moving,” it really packs an all-around nutritional punch—more than acai, pomegranate, artichoke, or blueberries. No wonder the fearless Aztecs could subsist on just a couple of handfuls during their mile long treks as they conquered Central America!
The Aztec Miracle Food
Today, there’s a lot more we know about this legendary super seed. For one thing, it is a complete source of vegetarian protein providing all the necessary amino acids to fuel muscles and build up tissue strength.
Chia seeds are extremely nutrient dense, containing nearly 50 energizing nutrients in one small seed. They are gluten-free and very abundant in vitamin C, protein, minerals, omega-3s, omega-6s, and fiber. The soluble fiber content of chia—about 11 grams in just one ounce, to be exact—is more than one third of the USDA recommended daily amount. Chia makes you feel full for hours and can absorb more than 10 times its volume in water so that you can fill up on fewer calories!
It is also a magic bullet for regulating the bowels and can start to work in just one day. Whether you are constipated or too loose, chia can balance all types of gut grief and calm your colon.
And if that weren’t enough good news, one ounce of chia yields about 5 grams of omega-3s, making it the highest source of omega-3s gram to gram of any of the omega-3 rich foods—including flaxseed and salmon. We all know by now how vital omega-3 is in supporting healthy cardiovascular function. In fact, research at the University of Arizona finds that chia lowers triglyceride levels and raises healthy (HDL) cholesterol levels. Most interesting of all for you “waist watchers,” a study in the British Journal of Medicine shows that the omega-3 fats in chia reduce belly fat.
All-in-One Nutrition
What most impresses me about chia is that it’s an all-in-one source of minerals—Mother Nature’s natural enzyme co-factors. Just one ounce will give you nearly 200 mg of calcium—making this the highest vegetable source of this macro mineral—easily trumping 1 cup of whole milk, which is allergenic to half the world’s population. And that’s not all. Chia is loaded with magnesium, potassium, and zinc!
Power Up with Delicious Chia Recipes
After searching worldwide for the highest quality chia, I am happy to recommend UNI KEY’s Whole Chia Seeds—which have the NSRI Seal of Approval. This certification guarantees that the chia is grown under the highest safety and purity standards, with complete traceability. The harvesting and cleaning process assures both you and your family of a 99.8% pure product.
To get your daily chia fix and keep things “moving,” I would recommend two to three tablespoons per day.  Add them to your smoothies (right at the end so they don’t bulk up your blender), as well as soups, stews, dressings, eggs, and veggies.
For an especially delicious way to enjoy your chia, try this delicious Chia Crackers recipe.
This is one ancient secret you will want to share with dieters and health fans alike!
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman