Scared of Statins? 5 Ways Chia Seeds Can Help You Lower Your Cholesterol
Scared of Statins? Donât want costly prescriptions? Â Lower Your Cholesterol the Easy Chia Way!
All you have to do is turn on the TV and youâll know that millions of people have a cholesterol problem. Major drug companies canât seem to advertise their pharmaceuticals enough! However, if the idea of spending loads of money on prescriptions every month isnât something you enjoy, it might be time to look for another, healthier solution.
You might have also noticed that Statin Drugs have come under a negative light in some studies. Itâs 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 thatâs even more money out of your pocket! So aside from all the expense, do you really want to risk these negative effects?
The good news is, you can lower your cholesterol naturally, and inexpensively through food. You may have seen the claims on famous products like Cheerie-oâs ⢠and Quaker Oats â¢, that âsoluble fiber combined with a low saturated fat diet may reduce the risk of heart diseaseâ. Thereâs more to it then that, and itâs all beneficial to you!
A low fat diet is great, but you also need some pro-active cholesterol cleaners in your corner if you really want to beat down the threat of hardening arteries and cholesterol clogs. The key isnât to avoid all fats or cholesterol sources, because your body actually needs some to function properly. Itâs the ability to sweep away the bad and encourage the good that will lead to better health. Â
Your key to success can be the Chia Seed, but only if you take action.
How can tiny seeds youâve never heard of put the brakes one such a big problem as cholesterol? There are so many ways, and you can examine each one in this article. Read exactly about how each fascinating facet benefits you:
First: Soluble FiberThe exterior of the chia seed is covered in soluble fiber. But this isnât 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 isnât easily removed from the seed. It takes the digestive system a while to use and remove it, thus hydrating the colon and easing digestion.
Second: Insoluble fiberInsoluble fiber cannot be digested or absorbed by the body. It is sometimes referred to as âRoughageâ and acts as a sweeper in the intestines. When food doesnât sit around or become overly dry in the colon, toxic substances donât build up. Unfriendly bacteria doesnât get the chance to go to work. When insoluble fiber is taking up space in the digestive system, youâre 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.
Third: Unsaturated Fatty AcidsThese may sound complicated, but theyâre important for cell respiration (oxygen transported into cells), the lubrication and resilience of cells. Thereâs an especially important fatty acid that your body canât make. Itâs called âLinoleicâ. You usually get this from raw plant-source foodsâ¦but who gets enough of those these days? With Chia Seeds, you wonât have to worry about it. Theyâre 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 triglyceridesThese large molecules take a stand to scrub cholesterol off of artery walls, but only when eaten in the right proportions. Chia seeds have these long chain triglycerides in the right proportions to help reduce it for you.
Fifth: Risk FactorsReducing or eliminating risk factors for high cholesterol is important as well. Some risk factors you canât 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 theyâre placed in, (Remember Fact #1) and distribute the flavor. They have no flavor of their own, so they canât cover up or âruinâ the taste of foods you love. Theyâre as easy to use as âmeasure & sprinkle onâ! No messy grinding or any preparation is needed.
With the chia seed, you get all the nutrition, and all the taste. Remember: âYou Are What You Eatâ so eating healthy is a big step toward being healthy. Chia isnât 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 youâre looking for an all natural, pesticide free, delicious and EASY way to lower your cholesterol, consider adding chia seeds to your diet, youâll be amazed at what they can do for you!
This author is from MySeeds Chia Seeds & has also produced the 2 free cook books found there, as well as several educational and cooking how-to videos. Don’t forget your free shipping on top quality chia seeds too!