Chia Seeds and Lowering Cholesterol

Chia Seeds and Lowering Cholesterol

While eating a diet that is low in fat combined with an exercise program is a great way to handle high cholesterol, you will need to add more to your diet in order to clean out some of the cholesterol that is present. However, you don’t want to remove all the cholesterol because your body will actually need some to function properly.

Fortunately, there are some natural foods that will lower the LDL or “bad” cholesterol in the body while leaving behind the HDL or “good” cholesterol the body needs. One of the most interesting food sources that helps rid the body of excessive amounts of cholesterol are chia seeds.

What Are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are tiny seeds that actually offer your body a way to clear out some of the LDL cholesterol in a natural way. Chia seeds come from Mexico and Guatemala and have been used as a food crop for centuries.

The Effect of Chia Seeds and Lowering Cholesterol

There are a number of effects that chia seeds have on the body, but the most important is how they clean out the excess amounts of cholesterol. 

Insoluble Fiber: This is the “roughage” that cannot be absorbed by the body and instead sweeps the intestinal tract on its way through. Think of it as a broom that goes through the intestinal tract sweeping away the toxic substances and unfriendly bacteria that would otherwise build up in the intestinal tract. Plus, you also feel fuller as well which means you eat less for longer periods of time which can help you lose the excess weight. 

Soluble Fiber: Chia seeds are an excellent source of soluble fiber which can absorb up to nine times its own weight from what it comes into contact with on the surface. In other words, when you eat a meal with chia seeds, they will form into gel-like beads that will pull in the excess cholesterol and hold it. This means that the cholesterol is not absorbed into your body, but passed through harmlessly. You will need to stay hydrated in order for this process to work properly.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids: These type of acids actually combines with the cholesterol that is left in the body to form hardened membranes which hold the cells together. Basically, it is an important nutrient which puts the cholesterol to its proper use so that you can reap the benefits. 

Reduce the Effects of Bad Cholesterol: Over time, a diet that features chia seeds will help with conditions such as diabetes and obesity by making it easier to lose weight, reduce your cholesterol count and even slow down the transformation of carbohydrates into sugars which also results in having more fat in the body.

Plus, chia seeds have no natural taste and instead absorb the liquids around them so that they mimic the flavor of whatever they are being consumed with. So, you cannot “ruin” the taste of your food with chia seeds, you only augment what it there thanks to their unique properties. This makes chia seeds the perfect addition to the diet when you want to control your cholesterol levels.