You might think that everyone who has diabetes would know about a seed that is superior to other plant and marine sources of essential omega-3 oils. It is also high in antioxidants and fiber. Besides that, it is high in protein and lipids, is low in sodium, and has fewer net carbs than most other grains.
But we have more misinformation about it than we have knowledge.
The seed is called chia (Salvia hispanica) and is a member of the mint family. It originated in Mexico’s central valley.
Before the Spanish conquest, chia was a big part of the Aztec and Mayan diets and was the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. But the conquerors came close to wiping out chia. Maybe that was because of the Aztec custom of cutting images of gods made from chia dough into pieces and eating them after their religious ceremonies. That was too close for comfort to the practices of the conquering religion.
Over the past few decades, commercial production has resumed in Latin America. Much of the credit for this needs to go to Wayne Coates, Ph.D., who retired just two months ago as a research professor in the Office of Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Together with Richardo Ayerza Jr., Dr. Coates wrote the definitive book on the subject, Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs (The University of Arizona Press, 2005).
Dr. Wayne Coates (image used by permission)
Their work led to the commercial cultivation of chia in Peru.
Chia is 16 percent protein, 31 percent fat, and 44 percent carbohydrate of which 38 percent is fiber. Most of its fat is the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20 (2007).
Exactly how much of chia’s fiber is insoluble and soluble is hard to pin down. But about three-fourths is insoluble and one-fourth soluble. Still, chia’s soluble fiber has a much higher viscosity than other dietary fibers such as beta-glucan and guar. This means that it has significantly increased intestinal transit time, delayed gastric emptying, and a slower rate of glucose absorption.
For all its power chia is a remarkably mild tasting seed. I add it to everything from salad to yogurt to eggs and ground bison. I enjoy its nutlike flavor and sometimes eat a handful of whole seeds straight from the container. Chia is a tasty, interesting, and healthful addition to my diet.
But for such a little-known food we can find a remarkable amount of stuff on the Internet that just isn’t true. Dr. Coates helped guide me through this morass.
I don’t have any interest in the recipes for chia that I found in the book by James F. Sheer, The Magic of Chia (Berkeley, California, Frog Ltd., 2001). But essentially all of those recipes call for soaking the chia in a glass of water to form a gel. Is that really necessary?
It’s not, Dr. Coates replied. “They were believers in soaking, but all that does is bring out the soluble fiber. It doesn’t do anything more magical than that. There is no documented reason to make a gel to use it. I personally just put it on my salad every night and eat it that way.”
I also wondered if we might need to grind chia seeds, since flax seeds require grinding. Does grinding chia make it more bioavailable?
“Not really,” Dr. Coates replied. With flax you have to grind it, because it has a hard seed coat. Chia doesn’t, so you don’t need to grind it.
I persisted. It seems to me that the chia is more palatable when I grind it. So is there any reason not to?
“No, there is definitely no reason not to, except for the hassle of doing it,” he answered. “Grinding will not hurt anything, and if in fact you do grind it, the nice thing is that it has natural anti-oxidants so it won’t go rancid like flax.”
What about cooking? I broiled ground chia on my bison burger last night. Does cooking destroy anything of the chia?
Again, that is not really a problem, Dr. Coates replied. “Whether ground or whole there is no detrimental effects. Of course, the higher the heat there will be some destruction, but not a lot. I think it is slightly better to add it at the table.
“Now, if you cook with chia oil, it isn’t stable, because the antioxidants are in the seed and the seed coat,” he says. So don’t use chia oil for cooking, he adds, just as you wouldn’t use flax oil for cooking, because both of them will oxidize.
Then, I asked Dr. Coates what his take on Salba was. A company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has begun to promote it heavily.
I told him that I just ran across an article by Vladmir Vuksan and his associates about Salba. The article is “Supplementation of Conventional Therapy With the Novel Grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L.) Improves Major and Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes: Results of a randomized controlled trial,” in Diabetes Care, November 2007, pp. 2804-2810.
“It’s a joke,” Dr. Coates replied forcefully. “Salba is just the white chia. You can go to our website where we compare white versus black chia.”
Then, what about organic chia? I told him that I ran across a source of chia that purports to be certified organic.
Dr. Coates replied point blank, “There is no certified organic chia. That is another falsehood. But the chia is never sprayed with pesticides because insects never bother it. So there are never any chemicals on the outside of the seed. It is harvested with combines mechanically and it is mechanically cleaned. We don’t irradiate it; we don’t do anything to it. It is natural.”
Then, I said that I heard that you can take too much fish oil and I wondered if you could take too much chia.
“You can OD on fish oil and algae oil,” Dr. Coates replied. But there are no know restrictions or limitations on chia. You can eat a cup a day. You cannot OD on ALA. Your body takes the ALA and converts it to fish oil.”
But doesn’t ALA convert to fish oil with less bioavailability than the fish oil itself?
“There is a big argument about how much ALA gets converted,” Dr. Coates replied. “Your body is going to convert what you need rather than converting extra. So you are going to convert differently from what I am going to convert. That’s why nothing has come out about what percentage is converted.”
This is clear enough now for me. I will continue eating at least three or four teaspoons of chia every day. And most of the time I will eat the little seeds whole. I will stick with the more common and much less expensive black seeds. I will cut back a little on my fish oil and increase the number of chia seeds I eat every day.
This is a mirror of one of my articles that Health Central published. You can navigate to that site to find my most recent articles.
156 responses so far ↓
1 james // Feb 13, 2008 at 8:50 pm
chia seeds are great and i own the book that wayne co-authored and it is a wonderful, unmatched resource for info on chia. i order my seeds from The Chia Seed and i believe they come from wayne’s company because the package says they are manufactured in sonita arizona. either way i am very pleased and the seeds are great quality. i also don’t have to pay for shipping which is a huge plus!
2 Asha // Mar 8, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I’ve never heard of Chia before except in the context of a “Chia pet” which involved coating a clay animal figure with a paste of seeds. The hook was that the clay figure would grow “fur” rapidly. Is this the same Chia seed?
3 Carol // Mar 14, 2008 at 10:27 am
Good article. Answered most of my questions about chia seed. Thank you.
4 steve simpson // Mar 18, 2008 at 6:54 am
Hi,
In this article on chia seeds, you have said “that it has significantly increased intestinal transit time”. Increasing time would mean that it takes longer for chia seeds to complete the digestion process. Is this what you mean?
Steve
5 Karen Vaughan // Apr 16, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Chia is great. You can sprout it, as with the pet, or eat it whole. It sticks to the ceramic pet because of that fiber. I always use the black seed because it is easier to find and is cheaper. The intestinal transit time is the time it takes to get through the intestine, completing the digestive process. The soluble fiber also means that it will help diabetics who get diarrhea from their meds because it absorbs water, and will help people with dry constipation because it makes the stool moist with the gelled water.
6 Elaine // Apr 29, 2008 at 7:39 am
I ‘ve recently read about concern regarding the ALA in flaxseed encouraging/causing prostate and breast cancer. I understand chia seeds contain more ALA than flaxseed. So, is chia seed good for you?
7 David Mendosa // Apr 29, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Dear Elaine,
That would be a stretch. “There is limited research of the effects of flaxseed or alpha-linolenic acid (which is in flaxseed) on the risk of developing prostate cancer. This area remains controversial.” This is according to The Natural Standard as quoted on The Mayo Clinic site (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed). The Natural Standard grades this evidence as “D,” its next to lowest grade. And, of course, this is about flax seed, not chia seeds, and I already had other concerns about flax seeds, one of the reasons why I don’t eat them.
8 Natalie // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I just found out about chia seeds in my local health food store. I’m going to start putting chia seeds into my diet everyday. I wanted something to help with digestion, bloating stomach, fiber and maybe to lose a couple pounds. Chia is good for all of the above? Do you recommend a cleanse? and what is your concerns about flax seeds?
9 David Mendosa // May 1, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Dear Natalie,
Yes, chia seeds will probably help you with all of those issues. It has helped me.
But I do not recommend a cleanse and never have been a believer in them.
I haven’t been able to investigate flax seeds as much as I would like. But I know that you have to be very careful that they don’t go rancid.
Best regards,
David
10 rockwell // Jun 5, 2008 at 10:58 pm
hey in response to the first comment from james, i’ve also been buying my chia seeds from thechiaseed.com and they’ve been fantastic! i can’t say enough good things about chia and i think every one of your readers, david, needs to try chia seeds. thanks for such a wonderful resource!
11 Samantha // Jun 27, 2008 at 4:06 pm
For all those who enjoyed David’s interview, here is another recent interview of Dr. Wayne Coates that is quite interesting:
http://www.naturalnews.com/022780.html
This interview between Dr. Fred Liers and Dr. Coates shows how he has helped popularize this healthy superseed. Enjoy.
12 David Mendosa // Jun 27, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Dear Samantha,
Thank you for discovering and posting the link to this very helpful interview.
David
13 Angella // Jun 30, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I love what you say chia seed can do. my biggest concern however is: when i was on flax seed it made me bloated. i actually gained weight. i use to take it at bedtime too, and i was pretty regular. but i had to come off it because of the weight gain. will chia seed cause this.
14 David Mendosa // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Dear Angella,
I have never heard of any reports that chia seeds cause bloating. Try them!
David
15 Carrie-Ann // Jul 1, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Angella, I could never consume flax because the discomfort was just not worth it. I would bloat, get cramps and be miserable for a couple of days. Chia does not do this. I’ve been eating the black chia seeds for a few months now and I keep a container of them in my drawer at work to help stave off the occasional 10am or 3pm meltdown. Just be sure to drink water with them!
16 Miguel Castro // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Good article, but I am concern about the “gastroparesis” that is common on those with Diabetes II. If Chia increases Intestinal transit time and delayed gastric emtying that will be an added complications for those with gastroparesis. This pseudo obstruction requieres a diet low in fiber and avoid anything that delayed the gastric empty capacity.
So I think that more research has to be done.
Miguel
17 charley // Jul 22, 2008 at 10:19 pm
well i had to take the advice of james and rockwell and check out thechiaseed.com and i am very pleased with the chia seeds they sent me. have you ever heard of and or purchased from them david?? i’ve been skeptical about buying them online but since james mentioned that he thinks they are coming from the same place wayne is associated with i gave them a shot. any thoughts david? i love your site by the way!
18 David Mendosa // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:03 am
Dear Charley,
Thank you so much!
I haven’t used this source, but I will sure keep it in mind for my next chia seed order.
By the way, I buy a whole lot of stuff on line and often from companies that I have never heard of before. Never had a problem. And it sure saves time and gasoline!
Best regards,
David
19 Krill Oil // Jul 25, 2008 at 1:24 pm
[...] Comments David Mendosa on Chia Seedscharley on Chia SeedsDavid Mendosa on Splenda or Stevia ?rathan on Splenda or Stevia ?Miguel Castro [...]
20 Drew // Aug 5, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I’m using about an ounce, 2 T., of chia seeds per day and think that they’ve been a great addition to my diet. But, I also take fish oil and am now wondering how much I should reduce that, or perhaps I should eliminate it altogether. What are others doing.
Also, are chia sprouts as healthful as the seeds?
21 charley james // Aug 6, 2008 at 8:28 pm
David, thanks for the reassurance of buying online! I am definitely getting more into it and with gas prices, the risk is worth it. Thanks again!
22 Acai Berry Detox // Aug 24, 2008 at 11:22 am
I’m always into discussions on anything organic, so this read made me feel at home.
I’ll bookmark the site and subscribe to the feed!
23 Leon // Sep 8, 2008 at 8:34 am
I want to respond to Angella, as others have said chia seed are easier to take, (no grinding needed) plus you don’t seem to get the bloating. I get Chia Seeds from http://www.nuchiafoods.com, I use them because they also have a Chia Seed flour that is really good.
24 Ariadne // Sep 10, 2008 at 9:10 am
Angela,
The chia seed when put in the right amount of water turns into a gel like substance. When you take the chia, whether you eat it in your salads etc or drink in your juice, you will find that as you drink more liquid you feel more full, and that is because the chia is expanding in your stomach. It is not a bloated feeling, but a full one. You are also don’t get as hungry. You may find that you have less air in your stomach and therefore, less gas. The chia loves liquids, so any liquids, acids, etc in your stomach, the chia will absorb and neutralize it.
The website that I purchase my chia from and it also has a lot of historical and nutritional information is http://www.nuchiafoods.com.
Hope the info helps.
25 Marvin Armendinger // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:33 am
Anyone out there have diverticulitis, and take Chia seeds?? Appreciate your reply.
Marv
26 Leon // Oct 25, 2008 at 11:36 pm
David,
You mentioned above that you “already had other concerns about flax seeds, one of the reasons why I don’t eat them”. I am curious as to what your concerns are as you have recommended the seeds in other posts on your website.
Thanks.
27 David Mendosa // Oct 26, 2008 at 8:07 am
Dear Leon,
My concerns were something that Dr. Coates told me about flax seeds. But I have never been able to verify those concerns and Dr. Coates was never able to substantiate his claims that flax seeds were bad in any way for us. So I have subsequently started to use flaxseed oil for my salad dressing (it cannot be heated safely, however, since that is something that I can verify). I still don’t use flax seeds, but at this point I think that they probably are safe.
Best regards,
David
28 Leon // Oct 27, 2008 at 9:45 am
Now you’ve peaked my interest. Who is Dr. Coates and what concerns did he voice about flaxseeds?
29 David Mendosa // Oct 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
Dear Leon,
Dr. Coates sells chia seeds. I interviewed him for the article above.
He told me that you can get too much of the precursor to omega 3 oil from flax seeds. That’s what I have not been able to substantiate.
David
30 Leon // Oct 27, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Hmm, i’ve found a bit about flax have antinutrionals and how flax is banned for human consumption in France etc from this website, but who knows really. I am eating sardines 2-3x per week now to get my omega-3
http://equinexia.jimdo.com/chia_seed_versus_flaxseed.php
31 David Mendosa // Oct 27, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Dear Leon,
I also eat sardines regularly. I really like the Portuguese sardines in organic olive oil from vitalchoice.com . I probably have 8 or 9 cans of them a week!
Best regards,
David
32 Jason // Nov 13, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I love chia seeds as porridge. I will now try them in my salads.
If you eat chia at a meal when taking supplements, does the fiber affect the absorbtion of the supplements?
33 David Mendosa // Nov 13, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Dear Jason,
I think that the chia seeds will slow down the absorption of the supplements. Slow down, not prevent.
David
34 Heather // Dec 5, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I don’t really like making the gel for the chia seed and I am new at this all together but, I’m concerned about colon blockage if I just take the seeds dry about 3 teaspoons total in the morning with a bottle of water to wash them down, any thoughts???
35 David Mendosa // Dec 6, 2008 at 12:54 am
Dear Heather,
I think that in light of problems with taking guar gum (a different product, but similar in that it expands a lot too), you have a legitimate concern. It is a question of how much liquid that you take with it. The guar gum problem was with supplements, that some people took with very little water. It is also a question of the amount of chia seeds that you take and what you take it with. Certainly, I would not advocate taking chia seeds without food, like on your eggs for breakfast, and not 3 teaspoons all at once. Be moderate.
Best regards,
David
36 Harold // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I was given this website as to get more information about Diabetes. I just found out. I am a 35 year old man who lives in Wisconsin-The home of beer and cheese. Does anyone know of some good websites besides this that I can get more information on Receipes and Diabetes in general. All my doctor gave me was 12 print outs about what I can and can not do. I asked and he provided nothing else.
37 David Mendosa // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Dear Harold,
Once you finish reading the one thousand or so articles and two books that I have written about diabetes, there are many other fine websites dealing with it.
First, please start with my article at http://www.mendosa.com/advice.htm
I do list, link, and describe the most important diabetes websites at another of my web pages, http://www.mendosa.com/genl.htm
The best one is the only one that predates mine (from Feb. 1995). It’s the U.S. Government’s NIDDK site.
Best regards,
David
38 Walking Canes // Feb 14, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Great post!
39 Debbie // Feb 23, 2009 at 3:57 pm
i have been eating chia for 3 weeks now,love the energy it gives me ,the full feeling and stamina that i get is amazeing.i get my chia from getchia.com great service,no shipping cost and the best prices .if you buy a three pound bag it only cost $9.33 a pound and my order came super fast.
40 Linda // Mar 15, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I’m not clear from my reading…will chia seeds slow gastric emptying or speed it up? If it slows it down, then it would not be good for someone with delayed gastric emptying. Is this correct?
41 David Mendosa // Mar 15, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Dear Linda,
You are probably right, but I don’t really know. Does anyone reading this know the answer?
Best regards,
David
42 Lydia // Mar 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm
After reading a lot of positive information about the effects fo chia seeds, I decided to test them. The effect on me and my husband however is quite negative. Yesterday I made the gel and we took 3 tbsp (as was written in the instructions that came with the seeds) with our supper. We couldn’t sleep well because our intestines were moving and making some noise. In the morning we took 2 tbsp with breakfast. Today all day we felt very uncomfortable, full, with stomach cramps, and worst of all there was no bowel movement. We both generaly have regular BMs 2 times a day. Looking for some explanation of what happened, I found this forum. Maybe our experience is too little to draw conclusions, but it seems that chia seeds are not very good if you have regular gastric emptying, let alone delayed gastric emptying. Or could it be some incompatibility between our diet and the chia seeds? We drink a lot of water – about 2 liters every day, and eat at least 5-7 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables, with every day intake of cottage cheese and flax oil, no red meat. Is it possible that chia seeds are not apropriate with such kind of diet ?
43 nena // Mar 28, 2009 at 10:29 am
Have you heard of the Budwig cottage cheese/flax oil diet? Supposedly prevents and/or cures cancer. It’s a mixture of cottage cheese (or yogurt cheese) with flax oil, and flax seeds. I have recently read so many potentially harmful things about flax (like it promotes estrogen related cancers) that I would like to substitute chia oil and chia seeds. has anyone tried this? and if so, where do you find chia oil?
Thanks!
44 David Mendosa // Mar 28, 2009 at 11:14 am
Dear Nena,
I have heard of Dr. Budwig, but know nothing about that diet.
While I continue to eat chia seeds every day, I haven’t used the oil. But I did a Google search just now for “chia oil” and immediately came up with many results.
Best regards,
David
45 Sweden // Mar 31, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I’m getting rid of fat eating chia seeds gel
46 L. Flores // May 13, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Mr. Mendoza,
I don’t know if you’re aware that Dr. Coates is working to distribute the best quality chia that there’s in the world to help improve the health and wealth in the world. Please see the sites that I list below, directly with Dr Coates:
Part 1 7:29 min. Dr Coates gives some general information about Mila
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGrCOD5zGlQ&feature=related
Part 3 1:27 min. Advantages of Mila with respect to other types of chia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jc8o6DkZbw&feature=related
Part 4 2:14 min. Explanation of how Lifemax is offering the highest quality of Chia and nutrition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYlqCagpeZY&feature=related
Part 6 3:33 min. Explanation of process of micro slicing and how this affect and preserve the original nutrients
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tMjFsyBTQ4&feature=related
Part 9 1:11 min. Dr Coates shares his vision about Lifemax and Mila
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-9ZGRXdlWo&feature=related
Diabetes is common in my family (both sides), so I need to take preventive measures. This product arrived by chance to my hands, and I’ve taken Mila for 3 months. The results are amazing. So amazing, that the medical community is starting to look into that. There will soon be a publication about this, I still don’t know the name of the journal, but improvements have been incredible in many cases, not only for diabetes, but for heart disease, depression, digestion, etc. I encourage you to take a close look to this blend of seeds, specially from the medical perspective.
If you, or anyone else wants to try one month supply of Mila for free (just pay for shipping) for you to notice the difference with respect to other chia seeds, please email me to lilia.e.flores@gmail.com.
For more information, visit: http://delangel.lifemax.net/ look in product, and select Mila. For questions use my email address above to contact me directly.
I’m helping Mila to arrive to the hands of those who need it the most.
Sinc.
L. Flores
47 Tony Donayre // May 17, 2009 at 10:45 am
Your information says that tanks to Dr. Coates there is commercial production of chia in Peru.
I would like to know where in Peru is chia grown.
Tony in Lima
48 L. Flores // May 18, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I’m looking for that information. I’ll get back to you asap.
Thank you,
Lilia
49 Junie Licaros // Jun 2, 2009 at 6:43 am
Can you send me more information on white chia seed i.e nutritional values and benefits
Thanks
50 David Mendosa // Jun 2, 2009 at 7:12 am
Dear Junie,
Please read what I wrote about Salba in this article. You can also follow the links there.
Best regards,
David
51 MB // Jun 2, 2009 at 9:36 am
Wow, Mila is $55 for 16 oz? How do they justify charging that much? Is there any kind of proof that the product is worth the extra charge compared to other chia/salba products?
52 David Mendosa // Jun 2, 2009 at 9:54 am
Dear MB,
Good question! Maybe the answer is that they sell it through multi-level (network) marketing, which always ups the price.
Best regards,
David
53 Kate // Jun 17, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I started using chia when I had a sample at Whole Foods one day…I was feeling a bit dragged down that day, and about 35 min later was definitely feeling a bit perkier. I continued to use them off and on and when I found out my boyfriend had Crohn’s looked into the possibility that it might benefit him. We ground the chia up until it was a fine powder and he takes 2 tsp mixed with juice 3x per day with meals (he doesn’t let it swell up completely, just a minute or two)’…I cannot tell you the difference it has made in his life. He used to have miniflares at least 3x per month even with his regular medication. Now, he will occasionally have a flare, but that is likely only after he has had a social night out on the town or eaten something that triggers a flare. He and I have both taken it when we feel bloaty or when food just doesn’t sit right, and it clears that right up as well. The chia seeds have definitely made an impact on our lives. I am now just starting my horses on it as well (I breed show jumpers) to see how they do on it as a part of their daily diets. Great info source here! Thanks!
54 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I want to clear up some things that I feel Dr. Coates is a little underinformed about. Nothing to him, I respect him a great deal and I’m sure we’ll meet as I am pursuing my PhD in Physiology from UA.
1. It isn’t necessary to make a gel, but the reason one would is that the seed will get hydrated in your gut, but to do so would use your body water. If you hydrate the seed you are letting the hydration happen before it enters your body, which would be especially useful if it is part of a water deprived recipe like salad dressing for example. I think that if the seed enters your body that was in the form of a gel for a while it would be easier to break down and absorb by your body as compared to whole unhydrated chia. This may help people with gut issues who don’t want to grind the grain. I do agree with you that it doesn’t make much difference either way.
2. It is great that natural antioxidants let you store ground chia easily ( I love to mix a shake of ground chia into a glass of water), however you do want to store it more prudently than whole chia because it is less protected. You don’t want all the antioxidants to get used up before you eat it heh.
3. Salba: I agree that the “novel grain” part of the study title is a joke, but the people who make salba are really upfront and truthful about it. Check out their website if you want. In one of the video’s they say that the industry wants a consistent and predictable product, and the same is required for medical trials. Salba does deliver on that consistency factor. Salba is a type of chia just like yellow and red bananas are types of bananas. Different types have different levels of different nutrients and possibly a different taste. So I look at it as a good thing that they’re bringing press, credibility to this grain, and it is also a high quality supplier.
Thanks for the article, I learned alot.
55 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I checked out the Mila website and it agrees with some of my points. Also I’m sorry I said I felt Dr. Coates was a little underinformed since he certainly is not.
Thanks again
56 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Lydia, I think you just ate too much too fast. My suggestion is to start slow and work you way up in a way that’s compatible with your body. This food has a possibly different type of fiber than your used to so just take it slow and it will be great.
57 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Linda, Soluble fiber slows gastric motility and insoluble fiber speeds it up as a rule. Soluble fiber absorbs water and therefore adds bulk to stool, while insoluble fiber doesn’t absorb water and helps things move through the tract. Chia’s ratio of soluble to insoluble fiber (1 to 4) should make it just fine for anyone if they start small and slowly increase their intake.
58 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Marvin, Whole chia seeds are probably not a part of a “low residue diet” but I will say as a Nutrition major that they would be very beneficial to someone who has diverticulitis or diverticulosis. The fiber, EFA’s, protien, etc. will all help you recover in my opinion.
59 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Drew, You can probably stop taking your fish oil supplement if you continue consuming a serving of chia a day. I would recommend also eating animal sources of omega 3-s like salmon, sardines, etc. once in a while too.
60 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Drew, typically sprouts have more nutrients than seeds because a sprout is the seed + sunlight derived new nutrients. However, sprouts can have a little more not so edible compounds that make things bitter. These compounds are not harmful, but I would minimize them if I was having liver or kidney problems because it may give them a little extra work to do to metabolize and excrete them. Moderation too.
61 marcus // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Miguel, If your doctor says to have a diet low in fiber, then do it. Chia is not a low fiber food
.
62 Bernard // Jul 23, 2009 at 10:41 am
Just for the record, when the sellers of Mia claim that flaxseeds are banned in France, this is a total lie. I even communicated with a large health food store in France called http://www.BienManger.com, and the confirmed that they sell many varieties of flaxseeds (called graines de lin in French). So, when somebody actually lies about stuff like that, it makes you wonder about the integrity of the company.
63 Marcus // Jul 24, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I don’t necessarily dissagree with you Bernard, but it may be that they can’t sell it in stores in France, and online may be a “loophole”. Just like how in our system you can buy goods (even in the same state) without sales tax by buying online. Did you do research to see if large open shop retailers or vitamin shop’s sell flaxseeds? That could be a way of verifying your results.
64 Tonya // Jul 27, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Does Chia help with constipation and gas? If it does what is the best way to take it?
65 David Mendosa // Jul 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Dear Tonya,
It might help with constipation because of its high fiber content. But I’m never seen any studies showing that it might help with gas.
Best regards,
David
66 marcus // Jul 27, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Tonya, my opinion would be the same as David’s. The easiest way I’ve found to take it in reasonable quantity is to stir in the whole or crushed seed into lemonade, let it soak a few minutes, then drink. Anywhere from 1-2 tsp or a couple tablespoons, start small though.
67 Anna // Jul 31, 2009 at 5:10 pm
What is known about taking Chia seeds when one has diverticulosis – since seeds are restricted?
68 marcus // Aug 1, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Anna, The current medical treatment of Diverticulosis is a low residue diet, which restricts seeds like chia. However, new research and leaders in the Nutrition field do not believe a low residue diet is necessary, and that the high fiber foods that are typically not low residue are actually beneficial. I think the truth lies towards the middle, if the diverticula are inflamed I would defiantly recommend a low residue diet, but otherwise I wouldn’t think it would matter. I am not a doctor, so if I were you I would do a search for scholarly articles on the subject and bring them to your doctor and discuss your options.
69 Margaret // Aug 5, 2009 at 8:41 am
This is a terrific and informative thread! For more information about chia seeds, and some recipe ideas, check out my website: http://www.chiativity.org
70 Norma // Aug 10, 2009 at 3:42 pm
How much chia seeds can be used as a substitute for oil or fat for baking purposes.
71 Jason // Aug 23, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I love CHIA! I incorporate my Chia in breakfast and throughout the day meals.
http://www.JappelOrganics.com offers the highest quality Chia seed and lots of other great organic products like Bedding, Clothing, Shoes, Supplements, and more!
72 Dave Noel // Aug 28, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Ive been taking chia for two months. Other than helping me during evacuation times… i havent felt ‘BETTER’ yet. I think sometimes they slightly constipate me till it works its way through. I take one tbsp with each meal. I guess I’ll keep taking it for a few months to see how it really works. Another think im starting to take daily is GAZPATCHO soup….. boy that cleans one out….. all these veggies in a bowl.. partly predigested cause of the foodprocessor. I hate chomping endlessly on big peices fo veggies so this is a painless way of getting good vitamins.
73 Marcus // Aug 29, 2009 at 7:39 am
Dave,
I think your approaching it wrong, chia can’t solve your problems. Listen to your doctor and other wise council around you to make necessary changes in your life, that is what will really work. Chia can help your body regulate blood glucose, blood lipids, appetite, and bowel regularity a little better than normal depending on what you typically eat. If you already eat mostly vegtables and whole grains you will probably only benefit from the omega 3 oils and protien. If you eat a traditional american diet you will probably notice a better blood glucose control, blood lipid profile, appetite, and regularity. Have a good one.
74 Marcus // Aug 29, 2009 at 7:43 am
Does anyone know or can help me find info about whether or not chia contains alkaloids? I often get a bitter taste from chia and was wondering if this was from the alkaloid content. Thanks
75 Karen // Sep 23, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I just started on the Chia seed gel today and I am confused about how much is appropriate to take/eat. I like the full feeling it gives me so I am tempted to want to eat more. How much of the GEL, once made by following the standard recipe of 1/3 cup seeds to 2 cups water, is ok to eat?
76 David Mendosa // Sep 23, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Dear Karen,
Personally, I never eat chia seeds as a gel. I do eat two or three tablespoons per day — on eggs, salad, yogurt (on the rare ocassions when I eat yogurt), and many other dishes. But it’s always the seeds themselves.
Best regards,
David
77 Katie // Sep 24, 2009 at 5:50 am
Hi
This is great info for me who is starting the wonderful chia seed today.
I am vegan and looking forward to using the chia as an egg alternative in baking! I am also excitied that the seeds will provide calcium, b12 and iron especially which are difficult to incorporate into my diet normally.
I am interested in any comments anyone can make as to how much seeds/gel I should take each day as a vegan. I was also wondering if it is possible to grind the seeds before adding them to water to make a gel. I think this would make the gel more palatable as the shells would not be as noticeable (and the kids won’t know they are there either!!)
Thanks for your help and advice.
78 David Mendosa // Sep 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
Dear Katie,
Yes, you certainly can grind chia seeds, although unlike flax seeds you don’t need to in order to make them bioavailable. As I wrote Karen (above) I don’t make them into a gel. But it is a good idea in order to disguise them from your kids!
Best regards,
David
79 Marcus // Sep 24, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hi Katie,
I agree with David said and think it would be a valuable addition to your diet. I used to drink about a half cup of the gel once and a while and now do about a tablespoon of ground seeds in water once in a while. It is a grain, but more of a supplement grain in its raw form (the natives roasted? it and made bread with it among other uses) . Also as a nutrition major (you’ve probably heard this but what the heck) as a vegan you might want to take a B12 supplement once in a while to help your energy and mood.
Take care,
Marcus
80 Jessica // Sep 27, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I’ve been eating Chia for just over a year now and I love it. Everyday I would put a tbls. scoop into my morning smoothie(w/yogurt, kefir, or soymilk and fruit). I noticed in a short amount of time I had more energy- and I almost never get that afternoon slump. The 3 ways i use it most now is a scoop on top of my cold cereal, mixed in yogurt, and just mixed in some diet juice. When I put it in the juice I just let it sit for about 15 minutes and stir- it never gets to a thick gel maybe because I use 1 tbls of chia and 8-12 0z. of liquid, but that is my favorite way to take Chia. Last month I decided to take Chia 2x a day- 1tbls. in morning and 1tbls later in the day- just that little bit more has made such a difference. Since taking more the skin on my face is glowing and the wrinkles starting on my forehead(I’m 36) have virtually disappeared. I almost can’t believe the change in my skin. I’ve never had any digestive problems whatsoever because of them- actually it has helped my digestive problems. I’m trying to get my mom to take these regularly as she has cancer and I believe Chia can help people heal and help fight cancer. This really is a miracle food!! Don’t know why anybody wouldn’t take it. Before Chia I used to always put ground flax seed in my smoothies and yogurt, but it was always so grainy and didn’t always taste good. Chia blends so well with everything and doesn’t affect taste of food at all. I will never go back to flax seed.
81 Trish // Sep 28, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I use whole chia seeds. A friend started selling Mila. I can’t understand the cost – yes, it is an MLM deal. What is also bothering me is the Mila propaganda. It seems to contradict what Dr. Coates said previously (ground not better than whole, recommending drinking it in water). That Mila is somehow better than Salva. And that it is a cure for everything under the sun.
Call me skeptical. I don’t believe that Mila is that different from any other chia. Their marketing really turned me off. I told my friend I could not buy it from her.
I’m still curious about whether the seeds benefit me or not. I have MS. I regularly take fish oil and eat pretty healthy so I might not notice a radical difference.
82 Marcus // Sep 29, 2009 at 10:26 pm
The seed is the same species so the main nutritional profile will be very similar mabye 10% different on a couple things like omega 3 or protien, Dr. Coates could probably tell you more accurately. I think Dr. Coates is concerned mostly with good practices in getting the seed from growth to table and new ways to help the body utilize the most out of the seed. Is there a noticeable difference? I don’t know if there are any objective studies on the nutrient absorbtion or whatnot.
83 Neil // Oct 3, 2009 at 3:50 am
Hello
Is it safe to add chia seeds on kefir with acai?
Neil
84 David Mendosa // Oct 3, 2009 at 7:30 am
Dear Neil,
I can’t image why not! Kefir is a great pro-biotic and acai, although little studied yet, is probably good for us too, as long as we use it in moderation (because of the fructose in it).
Best regards,
David
85 Neil // Oct 3, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Thanks David for your insight… I’m new to chia seeds. I was introduced to chia seeds through Mila (Lifemax) When I read the benefits of mila on their website, i was amazed with it’s health benefits but i find the price US$55(per pound) prohibitive for someone who lives in a 3rd world country like me. But after a thorough research in the internet, i came across hidalgofoods.com which sells chia seeds for US$5.36 per pound. and they also offer a wide range of health foods.
Neil
86 Vikky Cabrera // Oct 5, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hi, I came upon this thread after searching for studies on effects of chia seeds on breast cancer. Still have not found it, but this discussion is really interesting. I was introduced to chia seeds at a time when I had also decided to take stock of my health. I’ve been using Mila brand chia seeds for some 5 months now, and purchase them online at http://milachiawellness.lifemax.net .
The most visible effects of chia seeds on me were higher metabolic rate, energy and stamina, restful sleep, more supple skin, and best of all loss of 20 lbs in 5 months. I add a teaspoon of the microsliced Mila chia seeds to my iced tea, fruit, juice, soups, salad, and even tried to substitute it for a third of the tapioca in apple pie. Really delicious.
87 Matthew // Oct 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I have been very interested in Chia seeds ever since I first heard about them. I have purchased some and usually just eat them whole right out of the container.
I was wondering if you could make Chia seeds a main part of your diet (as in eating seeds for breakfast and lunch then have a normal dinner) or is it just to be used in addition to a regular diet?
88 David Mendosa // Oct 24, 2009 at 7:36 am
Dear Matthew,
Most of us, myself included, just eat them whole. But we usually add them to our salads, yogurt, eggs, etc. The only story I remember about anyone making chia seeds the main part of the diet was Sheer’s in his book “The Magic of Chia.” He tells of meeting an American Indian hiking near the top of a high peak in Southern California. The Indian was eating only chia seeds and had plenty of energy.
Best regards,
David
89 Marcus // Oct 24, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Wow thats cool, if one was going to make them a main part of thier diet I would reccommend grinding them and cooking them and making bread like products like the natives did, or mix them with an acid like lemon or lime juice. For some reason I don’t think eating very large amounts of them raw would be a good idea.
Good luck!
90 Jenna // Nov 10, 2009 at 10:28 am
Is anything known about the benefits chia has on lowering cholesterol? I was told about chia by a man that said his cholesterol lowered 20 points over 1 year. I know that fish oil helps control triglycerides so I am assuming that the same principle applies here.
I am 24 with high cholesterol, with only genetic risk factors and am wondering if I will see positive results with chia?
Thanks for the feedback.
91 David Mendosa // Nov 10, 2009 at 10:59 am
Dear Jenna,
I wish that I knew, but don’t. I do know that the total cholesterol count isn’t very important. So I assume that you are referring to your high level of LDL cholesterol. We do know that monounsaturated fats — avocados, olives and olive oil, nuts like almonds and macadamias — will lower LDL while possibly at the same time increase HDL cholesterol (which we want to increase). Eating a lot of saturated fat — as from red meat and dairy products — will raise LDL cholesterol. But medicine is in a funny place right now with LDL cholesterol because diet can indeed influence its level but testing LDL cholesterol may well be testing the wrong thing. What may well be better are testing different types of LDL, specifically small dense LDL. That’s not tested much yet, because it’s not yet easy and inexpensive to test (I just arranged to have my small dense LDL tested and will write about it in a month or two). The bottom line is that testing LDL per se doesn’t predict mortality. If you really want to dig into understanding LDL, perhaps the best thing you could do is read the posts of Michael Eades, M.D. at http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ . His most recent post is http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cardiovascular-disease/statinators-spill-the-beans/ about the problems with the statins. Another well work reading is http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/weight-loss/low-carbohydrate-diets-increase-ldl-debunking-the-myth/ ; also http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/lipid-hypothesis/low-carb-litesort-of/
Best regards,
David
92 Marcus // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Jenna,
I’m in the same boat as you and I have found my total cholesterol can fluctuate from ~165 to 230 depending on how much/healthiness of the food I eat and how much I excercise. So for me chia can help if it helps me eat less and have more energy to excercise. In a controlled experiement I would guess it would have similar effect as ala’s from walnuts plus it has the fiber which should slightly decrease fat absorbtion in the gut.
But I think it is helpful to know that most of the time (genetic or non) high choleterol is caused by saturated fat intake or even refined carbs or dietary cholesterol intake. With High cholesterol the metabolism is usually not effiecient in one or a couple of these three so if you can find out which thing(s) it is for you it could really help you lower yours. (The doctors usually reccomend lowering all three just to be safe since they can’t really test which it is).
But ya I agree with David and I hope we will see more specific focused testing in the future to really give us more personalized advice as to whether we need to worry or not about our high total or LDL cholesterol.
Good luck,
Marcus
93 chiame // Dec 12, 2009 at 3:22 pm
$55 a pound for chia is a crime. I viewed the mila site, and there is nothing extraordinary about their product.
Except that you are paying TEN times the price. Why an MLM for a product I can buy anywhere.
Please save your money and buy chia elsewhere.
94 Julius // Dec 14, 2009 at 8:37 am
Mila is a scam! I am disappointed in Dr. Coates for associating himself with such an organization and the type of marketing hype they are using. Dr. Coates was the loudest voice saying that Salba was nothing more than glorified chia seeds and now he is standing behind a company that is using the same untrue marketing tactics to say they have a “super seed”. It’s all garbage! Sure, quality varies as with every type of food, but don’t be fooled!
95 David Mendosa // Dec 14, 2009 at 10:25 am
Dear Julius,
I share your disappointment in Dr. Coates.
David
96 Jill // Dec 16, 2009 at 1:27 am
I am in the process of trying to compare Mila to ground chia, and after a week on each, have to say the Mila seems more powerful – the increased energy was much more apparent – i don’t like the cost or marketing, so am perplexed – any similiar experiences?
97 chiame // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:32 am
Are just comparing whole seeds to ground seeds? Regardless, I feel bad for anyone who spends so much for chia. Do you want mila to be better for reason ie you are in the mlm, supporting someone who is, need to justify the cost etc?
98 Marcus // Dec 16, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Mila, according to my understanding, is processed differently than whole or ground chia. Mila is Microsliced, which I don’t know how well it is done, but may contribute to higher absorption rate. Also from my understanding Mila is more of a developed crop than wild chia which means they selected for traits they thought were beneficial like omega 3 content among other things, kind of like what Salba did. I agree that the price is high but there may be real reasons why people think it works differently.
99 Jackie // Dec 27, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I bought my first supply of Chia seeds today. I paid $12.30 for 500 grams which is over one pound. I got it in a health food store in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. I saw Salba for 3x the price and was told it cost more as it was organic. I just don’t believe non-organic is not as good. Hopefully I will be happy with my purchase.
100 Gwen // Dec 28, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I just started taking Chia seeds. I also take many other supplements like Maca, Colostrum, etc. I am concerned that the fiber content in the Chia will interfere with the absorption of these other supplements I take. Should I take the other supplements separate from the Chia? Mr. Mendoza, do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance and your site is super informative!!
101 David Mendosa // Dec 28, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Dear Gwen,
I am confident that you can relax about the fiber in the chia seeds. I’ve never heard that it will interfere in any way with other supplements.
Best regards,
David
102 Cassandra Miles // Jan 19, 2010 at 7:35 am
Please people if you are new to Chia seeds start off with a very small serve and maybe add water also. I was using 1 tablespoon of Chia in my breakfast for over a month but after two weeks I started to get horrible pains in the upper stomach. I had ultrasounds and tests but came back clear. After eliminating Chia the attacks dissapeared and Chia was the last thing I thought I could be sensitive to, being such a pure food.
I plan to start back on Chia in a few weeks but only in the dissolved form and maybe 2 teaspoons spread out through out the day.
My 18 yr old can eat it till the cows come home and no nasty side effects.
103 Susan // Jan 31, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I started eating chia seeds daily (1-2 tsp.) last summer. Usually I mix with water or with my a.m. green tea. Sometimes I just pop them into my mouth and wash down with water. *But if you do it that way, you need to check your smile as they are more likely to stick in your teeth!
At first I noticed I was ready to hop out of bed faster in the morning (or even go for a run!) and the gentle energy boost you feel within about an hour of consumption. They also fill you up, so you are less likely to be hungry or overeat.
I am in my 60s and have had some joint discomforts over the years. After a few weeks taking the chia seeds regularly, I have noticed greater strength and flexibility in my knee and hip joints, and the pain I felt in one hip when I exercise is gone.
There are no known negatives, nor have I experienced any. I buy 3# for $18.00 at http://natural-remedeez.com/ and give them to friends and relatives.
104 David Mendosa // Jan 31, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Dear Susan,
Any way that I eat chia seeds (except ground), they stick between my teeth. But I don’t mind, because that impels me to floss, which of course we all need to do after eating anything!
Best regards,
David
105 Tirza // Feb 3, 2010 at 7:13 am
I am so happy with chia. I use it to make great puddings, blended smooth or left whole so it’s like tapioca. I thicken smoothies with it.
Just lately I have been absolutely loving some new products I have found here in Canada. Look up http://www.ruthshempfoods.com The products can be ordered online, but are also available in stores (US and Canada) which you can find with their store locator.
They have a selection of really yummy breakfast “cereals” called “Chia Goodness”, which can be eaten warm or cold as cereal or even a desert pudding. There are several bars and other things that are amazing and not too expensive. She also has recipes and some instructional videos on the site.
I have diverticulosis and have noticed no problems. I am wondering if it the gel around the seeds that protects from irritation.
106 kate // Feb 6, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Cassandra,
I had the exact same reaction that you did after consuming chia seeds for the first time. My boyfriend is very “into” them and started putting them in everything we ate and after eating them for about 3-4 days straight (I have NO idea what amount I was consuming on a daily basis), I started getting really bad pains/bloating in my stomach – almost a week later I am STILL dealing with the discomfort. I was so worried at one point I went to urgent care because I thought something was seriously wrong with me! I’ve NEVER experienced any symptoms like this before and suddenly realized that the only thing that had changed in my diet was eating the chia seeds. Now I’m trying to drink a TON of water to get back to normal. Any idea how long it might take to get over the stomach discomfort?? I haven’t eaten any for a couple days now, but am still not feeling 100% better..
107 Cassandra Miles // Feb 6, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Hiya Kate
This probably sounds weird but it great to finally meet somebody else who had adverse reaction to chia as there seems to be no information out there about side effects.( I thought I was crazy!! Chia being such a natural wholefood was the last thing I suspected!) My doctor had no clue either as she’d never heard of Chia before. I only found out by mistake as I had to fast the morning of the ultrsound- and you guess it no pains on that day. I stopped for about 2 weeks and slowly reintroduced them. Inially 1 teaspoon dissolved in a huge glass of water after my breakfast then another teaspoon dissolved in water in the afternoon . I haven’t had any pains this time round and I am glad to be having the benefits of Chia once again. I can only put this down to Chias abilty to absorb 8 times its own weight in water. You need to counteract this with lots of fluids. I was putting the tablespoon on my cereal but no extra fliuds, only the milk in my cereal and I didn’t dissolve it first. Hope you will be feeling better soon Kate. Once you are back to normal maybe try very slowly with lots of water.
I do understand the excruiating pain you were going through. I would describe it like an attack that would last 20mins to an hour!!! My doc thought it was gallstones.
108 Cassandra Miles // Feb 6, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Sorry Kate, forgot to answer your question!! I was back to normal after aprrox. 10 days. You will feel better, not sure when for you but you will get back to normal. I was scared to try them again but here I am and no side effects this time.
109 Neil // Feb 6, 2010 at 9:52 pm
I also experience stomach discomfort whenever I eat a spoonful of chia straight to my mouth. But I’m fine when I mix it with a glass of water and lessen the amount of chia seeds (from a spoonful to 1/4 of a spoon).
I’m wondering if it’s better to take cold milled chia seeds, maybe I wouldn’t experience any discomfort.
110 Cassandra Miles // Feb 6, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Wow cold milled Chia. I only have access to the seeds. I’m not sure Neil. Maybe an expert here might know???Bakers Delight here in Australia have started to include Chia in their breads. Great for kids who won’t eat them. The seeds are whole and white( not milled) but are easily digested in this form.( for us sensitive tummy folk!)
I also wanted to mention to Kate please go to your practioner if your symptoms aren’t getting any better because I am definitely no expert!!
111 KathyB // Feb 7, 2010 at 7:13 am
Just started on Chia this week. I have high blood pressure, and want to get off my meds. Like flax, it seems easier for me to take the ground Chia in a glass of water/juice.. and incorporate Chia into baked goods for the family. Any indication on whether Chia does lower BP?
112 Dave D // Feb 7, 2010 at 9:52 am
Has anyone had bad experience with The Chia Seed (thechiaseed.com)? I ordered two bags from them on Dec 30….was charged through PayPal on Jan 4, but no seeds and can get no response from them either by email or the phone number printed on the PayPal receipt. I’m nervous that this is a ripoff site.
113 kate // Feb 7, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I know what you mean, Cassandra. I was starting to think I was crazy too! Seems like very few people have bad reactions to chia seeds. But I am definitely one of them! Thanks so much for getting back to me. Hopefully I’ll be feeling back to normal in a couple days!
114 April // Feb 11, 2010 at 11:46 am
Hey guys !, I tried chia seeds. But for me i love more the cold milled chia though both is delicious and healthy food. Cold milled is one of my favorite. I got mine last month at hidalgofoods.com
115 Janean // Feb 23, 2010 at 12:05 am
Hey guys…I have a couple of questions about chia seeds. I ordered some and got them this morning. Haven’t tried them as yet. I read on the internet about some side effects and am a little worried about it. My husband and I both have blood pressures that run from 98(me) to 120(him..sometimes a little lower) on systolic side. I am type 2 and he has CAD and abdominal aneurysm, being watched. He has coronary blockages with collateral circulation. He also has a low pulse rate…usually around 42 – 48…I have even seen it lower. He is also on a statin and aspirin therapy. I am on aspirin therapy…not sure why, the type 2 I assume. Anyway…my quesiton, I have read today that someone with low BP’s should not eat the chia. And on blood thinners. My husband is 71 and I am 64. I sure had my hopes up for the chia…especially for the low blood sugars. What should I do?
116 Buckzollo // Feb 24, 2010 at 2:07 am
Great thread! thanks everyone for your helpful comments. Cassandra and Kate welcome me to your club? I have the same symptoms. ugh! brutal bloating and stomach pains. I stopped the chia for a couple of days and felt better, but for a sour stomach. I am allergic to tree nuts and feared a reaction to chia, but now think it is dehydration. I drank one tablespoon in a mugful of hotwater and could not finish due onset of cramps for the next three hours. I am determined to make this work so I now plan to increase water intake and overtime gradually increase chia intake. I want my, I want my omega threes… Mila is killer, don’t hate.
117 Sarah // Feb 24, 2010 at 2:16 am
Hi,
I just placed an order for chia seeds from superseeds.ca because i find mila to be ridiculously expensive. How much better can they be than other chia seeds for them to charge such a ludicrous price? Has anyone tried ordering from superseeds.ca before? I just want to know if their chia seeds are good quality.
118 fiftyate // Feb 27, 2010 at 3:16 pm
i have not seen one post about chia lowering blood sugar or reducing A1C. does anyone have any specific blood sugar readings before chia and a few weeks after taking chia? thanks.
119 TinaB // Mar 18, 2010 at 8:02 am
I am wondering if chia seeds can help with hyper-glycemia…? My 20 year old daughter was under extreme stress two years ago (college junior, new job, money isses, etc) and went to the doctor. The doctor ordered a glucose blood test, she was diagnosed with hyperglycemia and told to eat better. Well, she hasn’t had any other issues (feeling faint or weak and has reduced her stress level)…and hate to say she still eats like a college student.. She doesn’t take any medications. My daughter is trying to buy health insurance, but cannot get coverage due to the previous diagnosis. Our thinking is this…maybe she could use chia seeds in her diet to regulate her sugars (and for overall better health) and retake the glucose test in hopes of having the diagnosis reversed. Any thoughts from the experts? Thanks…
120 Sandy Shumate // Mar 22, 2010 at 6:16 am
Since Dr. Coates web site is no longer in existence, is there any web site that has articles and information on his chia seed research?
121 fiftyate // Mar 22, 2010 at 11:55 am
since this is mainly a site on diabetes, has anyone had experience with chia lowering b/s and A1C. thabks fiftyate.
122 Adam // Mar 22, 2010 at 4:44 pm
There’s good info on chia seeds at http://www.ChiaSeedsDirect.com. I downloaded a free report with nutritional info and recipes. Very good prices and free shipping.
123 Vikky Cabrera // Mar 23, 2010 at 10:17 am
I usually refer to Dr. Coates through http://milachiawellness.lifemax.net which includes both transcripts and videos of Dr. Coates talking about his research and findings about chia seed.
124 Margaret // Mar 23, 2010 at 7:47 pm
My website, http://www.chiativity.org , also has transcripts and various interviews with Dr. Coates.
I am not a chia seed (or Mila) distributor, but rather, I try to maintain a list of recipes and interesting facts and information about chia seeds.
125 Glo // Mar 25, 2010 at 7:48 am
Is it necessary to grind chia seeds to get it’s benefits?
126 David Mendosa // Mar 26, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Dear Glo,
Thanks for asking. Absolutely not!
Best regards,
David
127 Glo // Mar 27, 2010 at 3:59 am
Thanks David. I appreciate your response. I’ve been using (whole unground) chia seeds for some time and am glad to know that I’ve been doing it right.
128 Cassandra // Mar 28, 2010 at 8:27 am
Kate and Buck I hope your Chia adverson has settled somewhat. I can well and truly say I am used to it now. I fill my water bottle up add 1 tablespoon of Chia and let it turn all gel. I drink this and have been feeling wonderful. If I miss my daily serve I get bloated from no evacuation. I think it has helped me keep my weight dwon also.
129 JC // Mar 28, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Is any one taking Chia for weighy loss and has any one had any positive results
130 fiftyate // Mar 28, 2010 at 6:16 pm
i have been taking 1tablespoon of chia before each meal that has more than 10 g. carbs. i have not lost a pound. chia does not curb my appetite, but does improve b/s. i have been doing this for 2 years.
131 Judith Barrie // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Been taking Chia seeds every morning, usually on my natural peanut butter on toast, just sprinkled over, I have had bladder problems which I never had before. I wasn’t able to ‘hold on’, it was am awful urgent feeling & had to go for a wee immediately or have an accident! Went the docs & got some tablets which fixed the irritation fast, has anyone heard of this happening? My daughter, a health nut, was having Chis seeds every day in greater quanties & after a while developed the same problem. Have now cut our in take to every second day & seem OK.
132 kent // Apr 2, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I have experienced many benefits of Chia, particularly the ability to run for 5 + miles with just a tsp in water. For those with GERD, ulcers, diverticulitis, I would STRONGLY suggest grinding it first! The whole seeds can solidify and clog the digestive system resulting in horrible reflux! When they are ground, however they are risk free.
133 DA // Apr 14, 2010 at 6:51 am
I LOVE CHIA SEEDS THE BENIFITS ARE GREAT! BEST PRICE AND GREAT QUALITY I FOUND IS http://www.buychia.com THEY SELL BOTH WHITE LIKE SALBA OR BLACK LIKE MILA LIFEMAX! FOR LIKE $5.00
134 Sisi // Apr 14, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Like Judith Barrie, I have bladder problems since I started taking chia seeds. I just can’t stop peeing and my water intake is exactly the same as before, nothing changed in my diet except for the chia seeds. Other than that, I’ve been having some bloating and abdominal pain. The way I take my chia seeds is a follows: I soak a tablespoon of seeds in a tall glass of water for 30 minutes and then drink it. I do that twice daily. Am I doing anything wrong? Should I be chewing the seeds and not swallowing them in a glass of water? Is anyone else having bladder problems like urinary frequency?
135 David Mendosa // Apr 15, 2010 at 5:54 am
Dear Sisi,
I wonder if perhaps your peeing a lot has another cause. It is perhaps the most common initial symptom leading to a diabetes diagnosis. So perhaps it means that your blood glucose level has gone up. Are you checking it regularly?
Best regards,
David
136 Sisi // Apr 15, 2010 at 11:50 am
Thx for the reply David…I’ll look into it. Also one more question..Can chia seeds be eaten whole or do they have to be chewed because i drink mine whole in water after soaking them for 30 minutes.
137 David Mendosa // Apr 15, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Dear Sisi,
Yes, chia seeds — unlike flax seeds — can absolutely be eaten whole. Many of us usually eat them that way.
David
138 glo // Apr 15, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Speaking of flax seeds, although ground as a rule is the way to go, if they are roasted/toasted whole will this provide some of the fiber and other benefits?
139 Alex Allaux // Apr 15, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Dear David,
I am a senior in high school and have recently read the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall which mentions the chia seeds and their use by the Tarahumara peoples. I have written some papers on the seeds and am now aiming to make a drink using the chia seeds. Do you know how long the seeds can stay fresh in a liquid? Im going to try boiling them, grinding them, and many other methods. Any anwers would be awesome. Thanks for your help.
-Alex Allaux
140 Denton // Apr 24, 2010 at 12:21 am
Cassandra, Kate, Buck, I started taking about two months ago, three teaspoons in the morning in instant oatmeal, two teaspoons in Crystal Light in the afternoon. No problems for an entire month of this , and suddenly the cramps set in immediately after eating them. It took me a while to figure out what was causing it, but the last time I ate them, I had massive cramping, diarrhea and projectile vomiting. What amount are you eating now, and have you had any return symptoms since starting back on them?
Thanks, Denton
141 Cassandra // Apr 24, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Denton I only have 1 tablespoon now in the morning seprate to my cereal and dissolved in a huge glass of water.I wait till they puff up and the I stir vigourously and drink. Of course others can spinkle away without any extra fluids and have no side affects but for us sensitve folk I don’t think we can sprinkle on cereal. I only have it separately and no more that 1 tablespoon. No symptoms since doing it this way and bowels have never been better.( sorry if TMI) Good luck Denton
142 Cheryl // May 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I just bought a jar of Salba and started with 1TBS today. I appreciate all the important facts you post: don’t need to grind, don’t need to soak, eat them plain or add them to something. I had gastric bypass 5 years ago so am now wondering how I will react to the feeling of fullness/bloating. Will post back with those results. I am hoping for help with weight loss and maintaining and to see my boyfriend’s BS come down. He can’t seem to get them under 220 and we are controlling his carbs to 30-30-20-30-20 (that’s brkfst, lunch, snack, dinner, snack). Absolutely love your site, David, and find it interesting that every good article/site leads back to you! Here’s to chia!
143 fiftyate // May 8, 2010 at 1:02 pm
if you have any problem with hemorrhoids, it is best to grind the chia seeds.
144 Nimpluro // May 8, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Just wonderful – very interesting thoughts
145 Wayne Coates // May 12, 2010 at 9:33 pm
An open letter to all interested parties:
I, Wayne Coates, have either discussed or corresponded with many individuals regarding LifeMax and Mila. I truly have enjoyed this interaction as my goal for last several years has been to spread the word about chia. After researching chia for 19 years, I can honestly say it is the best whole food available today, and is a great source of omega3, fiber, antioxidants and protein.
The Wears, LifeMax owners, have accused me of breaking my consulting contract with them, but this is not true. In fact, truth and basic philosophical differences with the LifeMax owners and staff had more to do with my termination than anything else. I have tried to resolve these issues, but they have stopped communicating with me. Also, unbeknownst to me, the Wears had been working with Dr. Bob Arnot for months to bring him into the fold, have him become the spokesman for chia, and replace me.
As I have had no direct interaction with their blending, processing or packaging operation since January, I cannot in good conscience endorse their product any longer. I have asked that all references to me, use of the videos I have made, and photos of me be removed from all Lifemax sites, blogs, etc.
I believe that chia is a great product and its many benefits don’t need embellishment of facts. I want all of you to know that I will continue with my chia research and development activities and will strive to increase the quality of chia available in the retail market today and work to improve production practices, so that chia prices can be kept as low as possible, making it readily available to the general public. Please go to http://www.drcoateschia.com for information on chia and to keep up-to-date on chia’s availability.
Regards,
Wayne Coates
146 Hetty Driessen // May 23, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I was taking Chia seeds in australia as they were readily available in every healthfood shop and loved the energy it gave me. I have moved to Peru late April, have ran out and cant find them anywhere. Does anyone know of a supply, say in Cusco? It is grown here, isn’t it?
Much appreciated
Hetty
147 Chia Fairy // Jun 25, 2010 at 4:34 pm
After reading this extensive dialogue about Chia vs Salba vs Mila (and how expensive it is) I want to point out a couple of things: A) You can’t put a price tag on your health B) if you haven’t tried Mila, you can’t compare it to store bought/in some cases animal grade chia- and therefore how can you tell the difference? Try it and compare the two so you can see the superior quality yourself! c) it is more expensive because of the micro-slicing process and the fact that it is independently tested by 2 laboratories for toxins and impurities and dirt & debris is removed from this chia (unlike the chia Calvin ordered)- also, the seed that is not up to par to be sold for $55 is sent to children in orphanages in Africa & the Phillipines who are getting more nutrition in 1 scoop than they get from any other foods they are eating. I don’t mind paying more for my chia if my money goes to causes like that . Also I feel that I’m eating the best chia on the market which I order from lifemax.net/bettina. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it and felt the difference! I also think that $55 for the highest source of Omega 3’s, the protein, the fiber, the phyto-nutrients, the calcium, the magnesium, etc is well worth it- how much do supplements containing all of those beneficial nutrients cost? And they are only 40-60% bio-available at the end of the day?
148 fiftyate // Jun 26, 2010 at 9:45 am
what is all the stir about contamination? it is either contaminated or not. there seems to be a lot of politics in the last few posts. thanks, fiftyate
149 rob // Jun 27, 2010 at 2:19 am
Hi I use chia seeds from http://www.chia4uk.com and their is alot of information about chia seeds for different ailments I personally use it for weight control and endurance running but some of my family use it for ibs and constipation which it seems to work well for.
150 Bob // Jun 27, 2010 at 1:46 pm
O.K. as some smug individuals have suggested, I have just tried 2 pounds of Life Max Mila and 1 pound each of whole chia seed and ground chia from http://www.nutsonline.com. I can affirm that I could tell absolutely NO difference in the way I felt from this experiment (other than having more money in my pocket from buying at nutsonline). I will align myself with the good Dr. Coates (the Godfather of all things chia). He has placed a spread sheet on his site of many sites selling chia, and has not left off Life Max, for your comparison. Dr. Coates has 19 years + selling the health benefits of chia to those of us willing to listen. Life Max has what? A couple of years? They are selling hype. I, like Dr. Coates, recommend you use chia in your diet regularly. But don’t drain your pocketbook doing so. Buy the whole food – natural chia seed – not hype from Wall Street style hucksters. I welcome your comments.
151 fiftyate // Jun 27, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i buy my chia from whole foods market. i prefer to buy the chia ground as it seems to have a different connsistency when i grind it myself. i also use the whole seeds with good results, but the pre gound seems to curb my appetite a bit while the whole seeds do not. blood sugar and lipid panel improve with every brand of chia that i have used.
152 Chia Fairy // Jun 27, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Dr. Coates is the one who got Lifemax off the ground by creating the micro-slicing machine and utilizing his years of experience to help the company get started and sadly, was just terminated for reasons that I do not know Even though Mila is micro-sliced, it is still considered a “whole food” and is “natural”-it’s best not to “bash” other companies & their products- just stick to the positives about chia and the wondrous things that it is doing to improve people’s health!
153 Bob // Jun 27, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Chia Fairy suggests we should not bash companies and their products, but it was Chia Fairy and others I directed my comment to concerning chia. I did not bash the chia product from Life Max – Mila, but rather their exorbatent pricing to support their zealous super hype. Life Max’s chia is as good as other companies chia. The point is, theirs cost 10X more. And it was Chia Fairy’s comments about Life Max chia being superior (which is just an unspoken way of bashing other companies, don’t you see). So as I tried my best to convey, please use chia on a daily basis. If you have more money than you know what to do with it, pay ten times more for it from Life Max. It will not harm your health, just your wallet. But Chia Fairy is just doing his/her job drinking the kook-aid of Life Max and selling their product. You gotta sell it for 10X more when you have so many people in your network marketing chain ALL taking a cut of the $50.00 a pound chia. Unfortunately for Chia Fairy, people on this blog appear NOT to be taken in by Chia Fairy’s hype. So, go peddle your high-priced chia else where Chia Ferry. I will continue to encourage all people to use chia daily. Fortunately you are not harming anyone’s physical health by hyping Life Max. And, I do wish you will with your network marketing job.
154 Wayne Coates // Jun 27, 2010 at 10:04 pm
I feel I need to enter into this discussion.
Really it is a shame when someone calling them self “chia fairy” hides their identity. Perhaps because they are selling mila?? Or ??
Also how in good faith can anyone say it is ok to ship inferior product to the less fortunate?
As for chia, blending can improve the quality, but one needs to know what they are doing. There is good quality chia in the marketplace today, yes there is poor quality as well so shop carefully. Price is not a good indicator of quality as clearly some chia “brands” are way overpriced.
As for milling. There has been no studies that show this is necessary or useful, so if the whole seed does not bother you, take it that way as it is cheaper and stores longer.
Go to my site for for more information on chia. The Q & A tab has a lot of info as do many other pages. We just launched the store, so if you are so inclined check this out.
My only goal is to educate the public on chia and its many benefits, as well as to bring inexpensive high quality chia to the market.
Wayne
155 Melissa // Jul 11, 2010 at 6:42 am
Hi, not sure if this question has been answered as I dont have time to read all the above questions. I would just like to confirm that chai seeds are safe for my children which are one and three and also daily recommended intake for children. Thank you
Melissa
156 David Mendosa // Jul 11, 2010 at 7:57 am
Dear Melissa,
I don’t know what the daily recommended intake is for either children or adults. Certainly, no authorities have set one.
Whether chia is safe for children is something for you to decide after reading “The Chia Controversy” at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/115845/chia-controversy
David
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