The Importance of Omega 3's

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

I use chia seeds seems to work for me.... 2700mg omega 3 per serving

You're right DK, it is pretty rich in omega content (mainly a-linolenic acid, also known as ALA). It's also a great source of antioxidants and contains a variety of amino acids. It does swell and form a gel like substance in liquid, absorbing up to 30 times it's own weight so you really want to mix it up and drink it fairly quickly; this mucilage is effective at cleaning and detoxifying the intestines as well as being a reasonably effective appetite curber. If you buy a good chia then it should be gluten free and shelf stable for years due to it containing Cinnamic acids that help guard the omega oils from oxidation.

Chia seeds have been a staple of the Aztecs for many, many years. Runners of the hidden Tarahumara tribe use it as a fuel, they mix half a teaspoon of Chia with a pinch of brown sugar, mix up in a small glass of water and they're away ~ instant energy. These are people that even the older members of the tribe, often in their 80's can run continuously for a whole day or more through the mountains on very little food:

"The Tarahumara are literally born to run and from an early age Taramuhara children play running games which continue well into their old age. It is not uncommon for 80 year old Tarahumara to run litterally all day long through rough, mountainous terrain on little more than Pinole (a corn mixture used as a type of superfuel - There are no gels in the Copper Canyon!) Not only are the Tarahumara excellent runners, they are also known for incredible health, long lives, serenity, and their peaceful and reclusive nature."

Another bonus is that it has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, which is great for athletes as blood sugar levels can fluctuate a lot as the duration of the exercise increases. It has been reported (and largely accepted in the world of endurance sports) that your body enters a completely new physiological state every 3 hours of continuous exercise; it's usually around the 6 hour mark (two full changes) that many people start to fall apart both mentally and physically. Chia is also okay and actually beneficial for diabetics to eat.

I'll often add a good pinch into my protein shake as it's benefits are as varied as they are numerous.

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

If anyone is really interested in omega 3's, their background and their relevance and applications for health then you need to hunt down this book:

http://www.riverapes.com/AAH/Crawford/Crawford.htm

It's pretty in depth reading, but you won't walk away with many (if any) questions.

 

[graniteman]

Seems they're saying now too much omega3 can lead to prostrate cancer. Just watched a med show on it.

 

[shortz]

Seems they're saying now too much omega3 can lead to prostrate cancer. Just watched a med show on it.

It's from that one study that went viral. I am going to ask my family doc, who is a former professor and athlete, his opinion of this study. I am wondering if it simply comes down to yet another case of "too much of a good thing is a bad thing". The doses posted above are mega doses. 9600mg!? That's insanely high. We only need about 1,000-2,000mg a day of Omega 3, and people are taking it to an extreme, which could be the problem. Same thing happened with soy, when they found it increased estrogen...it's because people got ridiculous with all the soy they were consuming.

 

[graniteman]

It's from that one study that went viral. I am going to ask my family doc, who is a former professor and athlete, his opinion of this study. I am wondering if it simply comes down to yet another case of "too much of a good thing is a bad thing". The doses posted above are mega doses. 9600mg!? That's insanely high. We only need about 1,000-2,000mg a day of Omega 3, and people are taking it to an extreme, which could be the problem. Same thing happened with soy, when they found it increased estrogen...it's because people got ridiculous with all the soy they were consuming.

That's basically what hey said , too much of a good thing can be bad. It wasn't a study it was two Specialist's that have a weekly health segment on Fox

 

[Divorce]

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/conte...jt174.abstract

I believe this is the study you fella's are talking about.