Country Park Chia Seeds 1KG

Country Park Chia Seed 1KG

Salvia hispanica L
Black – Pesticide Free

Both chia and flax are approximately one third fat, and both have a high ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids (a ratio similar to that found in fresh grass). Although many who promote the benefits of chia claim that it is higher in Omega 3s than flaxseed, independent data sources such as the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference indicate otherwise, indeed their data reveals that flaxseed has not only a higher overall content of essential fatty acids but that it also has a higher proportion of Omega 3 to Omega 6.

Chia, like flax, is high in protein for a grain/seed, both usually falling somewhere within the 15-25% range. Chia’s protein is a slightly higher quality protein than flax due to its better amino acid profile, and while this is favourable to chia, in the context of a horse who is already receiving adequate protein in their diet but who requires Omega 3 supplementation, the difference in protein quality need not be a big player in the decision for or against either seed.

Chia and flax are both good sources of fibre – their polysaccharides (the molecules that are responsible for the slimy, gel-like properties of the seeds) help to slow the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream, which suggests the likelihood that both/either of these seeds will provide benefit to horses with insulin resistance. At least one clinical study has shown that feeding chia to rats both prevented and reversed insulin resistance that had been brought on by feeding the rats a sucrose-rich diet.