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Scared of Statins? 5 Ways Chia Seeds May Help Lower Your Cholesterol*

All you have to do is turn on the TV and you’ll know that millions of people have a cholesterol problem. Major drug companies can’t seem to advertise their pharmaceuticals enough. However, if the idea of spending loads of money on prescriptions every month isn’t something you enjoy, it might be time to look for another, healthier solution...on your plate. You might have also noticed that Statin Drugs have come under a negative light in some studies. It’s known that they deplete body levels of Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) which is something your heart needs in order to function correctly. They can also deplete other critical nutrients from the body, and sometimes lower good cholesterol as well. Sure, you can supplement with Co-Q10 pills, but that’s even more money out of your pocket! So aside from all the expense, do you really want to risk these negative effects? By learning 5 ways chia may help lower cholesterol you can get a natural, good start.

The good news is, you can lower your cholesterol naturally, and less expensively through food. You may have seen the claims on famous products like Cheerie-o’s ™ and Quaker Oats ™, that “soluble fiber combined with a low saturated fat diet may reduce the risk of heart disease”. There’s more to it then that, and it’s all beneficial to you! A lower unhealthy-fat (remember, there are different kinds of fats, and some of them are good for you) diet is great, but you also need some pro-active cholesterol cleaners in your corner too. The key isn’t to avoid all fats or cholesterol sources, because your body actually needs some to function properly. It’s the ability to sweep away the bad and encourage the good that will lead to better health through healthy food choices.

Your success can be accelerated by the

Chia Seed, but only if you take action & eat it.

How can tiny seeds put the brakes one such a big problem as cholesterol? There are so many ways, and you can examine each one in this article. However, you have to use them every day...but that’s not a problem when you realize you can make chia taste like almost anything! When a food you can’t get tired of (doesn’t taste like anything, mixes well with many foods you already like) provides you with so many nutritional benefits, you know you’ve got an easy winner. Read exactly about how each fascinating facet benefits you:

First: Soluble Fiber The exterior of the chia seed is covered in soluble fiber. But this isn’t just any soluble fiber, like that of an oat or flax seed. The fiber of Chia is special, in that it can absorb NINE times the weight of the seed in water, and hold it close to the surface. When it does this, it forms a bead of gel, with the consistency of a gelatin snack. This gel isn’t easily removed from the seed. It takes the digestive system a while to use and remove it, thus hydrating the colon and easing digestion. Chia is the seed with soluble fiber you can literally see! There’s just that much of it. When you want easy soluble fiber all in one place, reach for chia. A well hydrated colon has an easier time moving food through it. Keeping the body hydrated is also important for absorbing nutrients. That’s great for nutrition...but how does it help with cholesterol? 1. In a well hydrated colon, food doesn’t get to stick around too long, so less cholesterol is absorbed 2. It feeds probiotic bacteria (soluble fiber is sometimes called prebiotic fiber) that help break down plant foods like nuts, bran and brussels sprouts that contain “sterols” plant-compounds that purposely ‘gum-up’ the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol.

Second: Insoluble fiber Insoluble fiber cannot be digested or absorbed by the body. It is sometimes referred to as “Roughage” and acts as a sweeper in the intestines. When food doesn’t sit around or become overly dry in the colon, toxic substances don’t get as much a chance to build up. Unfriendly bacteria doesn’t get the chance to go to work. When insoluble fiber is taking up space in the digestive system, you’re more likely to feel full for longer and thus not eat as much at meal time. Losing excess weight is another key to keeping cholesterol down. The liver uses cholesterol to make its various digestive helping substances, including bile acid. Bile acid helps break down food. When food is moved efficiently & quickly enough through the intestines bile acid doesn't get a chance to linger or get re-absorbed. This is good because it encourages the liver to make more, thus using up more cholesterol in the process.

Third: Unsaturated Fatty Acids These may sound complicated, but they’re important for cell respiration (oxygen transported into cells), the lubrication and resilience of cells. There’s an especially important fatty acid that your body can’t make. It’s called “Linoleic”. You usually get this from raw plant-source foods…but who gets enough of those these days? With Chia Seeds, you won’t have to worry about it. They’re rich in this important nutrient. How are these important for your cholesterol? They combine with cholesterol in the body to form membranes that hold cells together. It puts cholesterol to good use, but only if you have enough of it to make the combination! Fourth: Long-Chain triglycerides These large molecules have the ability to take a stand to scrub cholesterol off of artery walls, but only when eaten in the right proportions. These important fatty acids can work at forming nerve cells, building cell structures, or can simply be used for energy. Chia seeds have these long chain triglycerides in the right proportions to help reduce it for you. Fifth: Risk Factors Reducing or eliminating risk factors for high cholesterol is important as well. Some risk factors you can’t do anything about, like heredity. But others such as obesity and diabetes you can help to control with Chia. (The soluble fiber in chia seeds helps control blood sugar levels by slowing down the transformation of carbohydrates into sugars) Understanding that not all fats are bad, and taking in healthy oils is an important part of a balanced diet. There are so many delicious chia seed recipes, including breakfast bars, granola, fruit smoothies and more that adding this tiny seed to your diet is a snap. What makes it extra amazing is, that unlike other health foods, you can make these seeds taste like whatever you want. They absorb any liquid they’re placed in, (Remember Fact #1) and distribute the flavor. They have no flavor of their own, so they can’t cover up or ‘ruin’ the taste of foods you love. (For example vitamin powders can be metallic, while protein powders can over-power) They’re as easy to use as ‘measure & sprinkle on’! No messy grinding or any preparation is needed. With the chia seed, you get all the nutrition, and all the taste. Remember: “You Are What You Eat” so eating healthy is a big step toward being healthy. Chia isn’t some foreign miracle-berry or fruit grown in a far off land and sold at a premium price either--these seeds cost under a dollar a day. If you’re looking for an all natural, pesticide free, delicious and EASY way to help lower your cholesterol, consider adding chia seeds to your diet, you’ll be amazed at what they can do for you!

* Statements not evaluated specifically for chia by the FDA. Statements not intended as medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. People with high cholesterol should consult a doctor before making radical changes to their diet or excersise program. Any person with high or borderline cholesterol should have it supervised by a doctor for safety as attempts are made to lower it.