One of the top sources of a critical fatty acid can be found on the top of a certain terra cotta pot. You know them from the old commercials: ch-ch-ch-chia!
Researchers say chia seeds -- the same seeds used to grow grassy "hair" on Chia Pet heads -- are positively loaded with alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA.
And when you find out all ALA can do for you, you might not waste those seeds on terra cotta pots anymore.
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Hearts and livers
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Researchers say chia seeds given to rats on a high-fat diet helped redistribute lipids -- essentially chasing them away from the liver and visceral fat, or the fat that builds up around the vital organs.
In plain talk, the study in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry means this stuff can protect your heart and liver by keeping lipids away from the places they'll do the most harm.
Unlike the other omega-3 fatty acids, you won't find ALA in fish oil -- but you will get it from flaxseed, olive oil, walnuts and, of course, ch-ch-ch-chia seeds.
But don't give up that fish oil.
The essential fatty acids in fish -- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) -- can stop inflammation, protect your arteries, and even beat anxiety.
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Fish oil vs. anxiety
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I can't think of any group that's more known for their angst and apprehension than medical students. Maybe that's why researchers decided to use them as the guinea pigs in the omega-3 vs. anxiety test.
The researchers gave first- and second-year students either omega-3 supplements or a placebo, and then used psychological surveys to measure levels of stress, anxiety, and depression throughout the school year.
They found that the students who got the real supplements had 20 percent less anxiety, while blood tests revealed a 14-percent drop in levels of the inflammation marker IL-6, according to the study in Brain, Behavior and Immunity.
Think I'm done with the omega-3 news? Not yet.
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Ageless arteries
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Omega-3 fatty acids are already known for their benefits across the cardiovascular spectrum. Now, a new analysis of data from 10 studies shows that they can even stop your arteries from aging.
Researchers say omega-3 fatty acids prevent stiffening -- and since stiffer arteries are older arteries, fish oil could be the fountain of youth your blood vessels have been searching for.
The researchers suggest a minimum dose of 540 milligrams EPA and 360 milligrams DHA to keep your arteries nice and young -- and I say take advantage of this one.
It's not always this easy to turn back the clock.
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
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