Chia Seeds - Pros & Cons, Benefits & Warnings - by Dr Sam Robbins

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Chia Seeds - Pros & Cons, Benefits & Warnings
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#superfoods

Today I want to discuss Chia seeds. It’s one of those “health foods” that is misunderstood.

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to the mint.

Chia seeds were an important food for the Aztecs and Mayans for thousands of years. They utilized them for their ability to provide sustainable energy. In fact, "chia" is the ancient Mayan word for "strength."

In recent modern days, the Chia Seeds are considered by many to be a “super food”. Some people even call them one of the healthiest foods on the planet.

And if you take a look at the benefits, you can see why:
Benefits & Pros of Chia Seeds
They’re very high in fiber, which is good for a healthy colon and it can keep you full for longer periods of time. This also helps with weight loss.

They high in calcium, magnesium and boron, which is important for strong bones.

When mixed with water, they form a gel that aids in digestion.

They’re high in important omega 3 fats… which I’ll discuss in further details in a minute, because it can actually be a negative aspect of this benefit, specific for chia seeds.

It’s well balanced in the macro nutrients because it contains a good ratio of fats, carbs and proteins.

It’s also good if you’re worried about blood sugar. It has a low glycemic index and load and it also contains no sugar.

… so all in all, you can see why it really is very healthy.
Cons & Warnings of Chia Seeds
So, let’s discuss some of the potential “cons” and I’ll end with a important warning.

Some people are allergic to chia seeds. Sometimes it’s subtle and other times it very evident. And I’ll tell you why this happens in a minute. But pay attention to symptoms and signs such as rashes, hives, and watery eyes. There are also those common ones which are usually related to foods in general, such as trouble in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling of the tongue.

Another problem is stomach and gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating and constipation.

Something else that most people don’t know is that Chia seeds can thin the blood and can also lower blood pressure. Which can actually be a benefit if you suffer from poor circulation and hypertension. But if you don’t, it could cause you to pass out or become fatigued.

And the biggest problem I’ve realized is that despite the fact they are high in omega 3 fats, which are typically anti-inflammatory... Chia seeds actually INCREASE inflammatory markers and this because of 2 reasons.
Poor Conversions
Omega 3 fats are best consumed from fish sources - food or oil. But vegetarian sources such as seeds, like Flax or Chia, typically only contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

ALA is not as active in the body and must be converted to two other forms of omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — to have the same health benefits as fish omega 3’s.

Unfortunately, your body’s ability to convert ALA is limited. Only about 5% of ALA is converted to EPA, while less than 0.5% is converted to DHA. And the older we get, the worse the conversions.

Thus, just because it’s “high” in omega 3 fats, does NOT mean your body converts and utilizes it. However, if you don’t want to have any fish products, then these vegetarian sources is all you’ve got - but you’ll need a higher dosage to get the same benefits of fish oils.
Higher In Lectins
The second reason for the inflammation is because they are higher in lectins.

And lectins cause inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, decrease the immune system, exacerbate autoimmune conditions and lots of other negative things.

However, Chia seeds are not super high in lectins, it’s more of a “medium high” food. So, if you want to eat them, don’t go overboard, less is best. And it’s best to soak them in water first for an hour or two.

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DrSamRobbins

[ednapacdaan]

i eat chia seeds everyday, and i also mix with juice, or almond milk for breakfast..i am so energetic the whole day, i am 58 years old and very hard working...my heart burn id gone, my bloating is gone and i feel good everyday..thanks for the info...love from philippines working in macau..

[frankwess]

I started eating chia seeds about a week ago and I feel pretty good. It's helping my digestive system and they're also giving me mental clarity.

[whitehorse]

Drinking chia seeds with lemon and honey is the most effective way to get rid of body for this clarifications Doc

[blueee]

Finally a good video to explain pros and cons of Chia Seeds, Thanks Doc!

[hanolvido]

Been using chia for a month now and it feels good. Feel energetic and lower my blood pressure too.. and decreases my weight too .. amazing.

[pokerjunky]

I just bought some 3 days ago I’m eating it with pudding and coffee it’s tasteless, I’m waiting to see how much weight I’ll lose on it lol but yay I’m 55 I heard it’s good for you 👍💕

[lelandshennett]

What’s the best way to combat the inflammation? I love chia seed water with lemon, it makes me feel really hydrated and helps digestion. But inflammation is somthing I have issues with.

[juvygabertan]

I add chia seeds on my oat meal and smoothie and I haven't feel bad in my body at all ...and I loose weight too. Thanks Dr. Sam for the info and other knowledge about pros and cons of chia seeds. God bless 😉
L❤️ve from Philippines!

[evelynrisse]

You forgot one drawback, always, ALWAYS check if any got stuck in your teeth!

[kellydysantini]

Very informative. Just bought them and had my first try in a glass of water. It’s quite good. Hope this helps with my weight loss and my digestion.

[skywei]

Thanks god finally figured out why I faced gastroinstetinal pain these days, I had already consumed chia seeds bout 2 weeks, and faced gastro uncomfortable and dont know its because of chia seeds, really caused plenty of gas.
Not so suitable for me**

[keshapowell]

This was short, but very informative. It appears that the pros outweigh the cons....for many. But I will start with 1 teaspoon for the first week...just to see how my body responds.

Nice video. Nice voice. Thank you Doc!

[christaylor]

First negative comments I've heard about chia seeds!

[wendyyew]

your voice is one in a million - strong, powerful and pleasing and a well presented video.

[ebeb]

I love chia, I grind it into a powder and add it to shakes, muffins, oatmeal, pancakes. I always feel better when I’m including chia into my diet .

[debjordan]

Very helpful, had not heard about the negatives of chia seeds. Thank you for this information.

[Ahmad-ukoo]

Currently I’m experimenting with one meal a day which includes oats, chia seeds, milk, and a spoonful of honey.

[graemecarey]

Dr. Robbins, thanks for producing a very informative video, especially the advice about soaking the seeds before use. What would you consider the maximum daily intake for a typical person who has no adverse effects?

[njorogepm]

Thank you it’s true I ate some and for sure it reacted so much and felt very so sick I had to stop it. Thanks for the information.

[birdstyle]

Thanks for this, a succinct but comprehensive breakdown. I've been eating totally clean but still experiencing gout flare ups, this could explain some of that.