I Should Eat My Chia Pet??

RUMOR: Eating chia seeds is heart healthy.

TRUTH:
Chia seeds are well known for sprouting the fast-growing "hair" on little clay Chia Pets. Now people are eating the nutty-flavored grains in hopes of reducing their risk of heart disease.

Chia reportedly contains more omega-3 fatty acids than flaxseed, more fiber than bran, and more protein than soy. Preliminary data shows that type 2 diabetes patients who eat 37 grams/day of a variety of chia called Salba for 3 months will see drops in blood pressure, A1c, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

The chia craze is really taking off since its recent debut on Oprah. Some people take chia oil supplements...others eat the seeds whole or use them to make bread, muffins, drinks, and more. Chia can be a good alternative to replace other grains in a balanced diet. People with high triglycerides need to keep tabs on their lipid levels because Chia MIGHT increase triglyceride levels.



RUMOR: Echinacea cures the common cold.

TRUTH:
There’s no PROOF that echinacea prevents, cures, or decreases the severity of colds. But the data is inconsistent. Echinacea MIGHT modestly shorten the duration of cold symptoms and decrease their severity...but it doesn’t work for everybody.

They are unlikely to cause more harm than some mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Start echinacea as soon as cold symptoms start and continue it as long as symptoms continue. Products with the best evidence...Echinaforce or EchinaGuard.

Patients with ragweed allergies not to take echinacea...cross sensitivity may result in allergic reactions. Do not to expect too much from other “immune system boosters” for colds, either. Evidence is also conflicting for zinc lozenges and vitamin C.