Chia Seeds: Rich in Omega-3
Next time you enjoy those Omega-3 power-packed organic chia, hemp, or flax seeds, stop to consider that your body just might not be converting those good Omega-3 alpha-linolenic acids into DHA & EPA, which is what you want to have in sufficient quantity in your body. (Remember those ingredients listed on the fish oil label?)
I recently found this under-conversion to be a true in me. So, what should I do? Well, one answer is to add some coconut manna (or coconut oil) to my chia or flax meals to boost the conversion exponentially. Why is that? Well, the lauric acid in coconut (50!) is at least one of the known factors. But how did I know that I wasunder-converting? Through ordering the right blood tests and knowing what to look for. My Omega 6:3 ratio was a little high, and I had residual alpha-linoleic acid that wasn’t converting over to EPA, so it was low.
Although there is debate over the optimal Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio, I’ve heard that it should stay under 3:1. And do you know what the average ratio for Americans is? Guess…….. I’ll give you some time. Yes, it is unfortunately about 20:1. Not good!
And why should we care about this omega fat ratio anyway? Inflammation. And what does inflammation cause? Disease. You get the picture.
The same reason that I do (and teach) anti-inflammatory T-Tapp movements is the very same reason that I try to eat a diet rich in Omega-3’s. That’s it for today’s science and nutrition lesson. Go enjoy some good, healthy, Omega-3 rich foods! Your waist, your blood vessels, and your entire body will thank you.