Chia seeds

(jim Chiodo) #1

I watched a Dr. Boz video recently about bowels, constipation, etc. I currently eat a small bowel of All Bran in the morning with a teaspoon of Mirylax on it. This seems to do the job but once in a while, “things” are difficult.

Dr Boz recommended chia seeds because they swell and promote a “wave” action through the intestines. Because of the carbs in All Bran, I’d rather do the chia, but don’t want any surprises. I drive a school bus and definitely don’t want any accidents (either involving vehicles, kids puking on the bus and for sure no accidents in my pants).

Has anyone else done this? What were your results? What would be a recommended quantity and how to take the seeds. (With water, mix with something else like eggs, etc?)

(Full Metal KETO AF) #2

Are you getting enough salt and water? I know this is kind of a generic response but I was using colace and senna before I started keto. And I was always constipated then. After I started and eliminated carbs I quit using the laxatives. As long as I stay well hydrated and get enough electrolytes I never get constipated. Magnesium citrate is cheap and works. You also get some magnesium which is healthy. And no carbs. :cowboy_hat_face:

(less is more, more or less) #3

People commonly confuse one’s reduced need for BM’s when one switches to low-carb eating. At least I did in the beginning. Now I revel in spending less time in the “library,” and less surprise “nature visits” on my jogs.

If I may ask, what is motivating your concern regarding your BMs?

(Consensus is Politics) #4

I would recommend caution with the chia seeds. I was using them in recipes in place of bread, such as in meat loaf. I was using about 1 tblsp of dry chia seeds per pound of hamburger. Before adding them I added about 50% more volume than seeds volume of hot water to get them to get jelly like. Baked and ate. Delicious.

Then after a few of these meals I began to have bad constipation, nah, more like an impaction. Behind said impaction was a liquid explosion, right behind that another impaction. This would happen once a day, as long as I ate the seeds this way.

I dont know the cause of the impaction, but it hurt. Maybe the chia seeds coagulated in masse along the way, intestines robbing them of mousture? Creating little chia bricks along the way. I quit using the seeds for several months. When i began using them again, it was a repeat event.

I would recommend some coconut oil or olive oil taken the night before a day you can guarantee to be near a bathroom. Coconut oil, or excessive amounts of it (more than 1 tblsp?) can really lube up the insides. Can really lube up the last few inches to making a seal near impossible. So make sure to wear your brown pants.

(traci simpson) #5

I use this: Jigsaw Health MagNow - Tart Raspberry Lemonade Magnesium Powder - 60 servings (Jar)

A scoop in a little water and I also put in some bee pollen granules and ground flaxseed! No problems for me.

(Ethan) #6

Chia seeds are full of anti-nutrients such as oxalates and pyhtates. They can contribute to kidney stones, leaky gut, etc.

#7

I personally hate chia seeds, anytime I have eaten them I have had awful digestive discomfort. I read somewhere that chia seeds should never be consumed dry, if they are they can cause “blockage” because once they get in there they steal your bodies water to puff up…said chia should always be soaked before it’s consumed, long enough to turn into that jelly-slime lol

(Libby) #8

+1 : take some magnesium. I take magnesium aspartate. I can really tell when I have skipped too many days. It also decreases leg cramps.

(Todd Allen) #9

I use chia in small amounts to thicken things like yogurt and salad dressings. A few times I’ve added them but failed to fully mix them in and later found a brick like chunk of chia sitting on top. Definitely not something I’d want to form in large quantity in my intestines.

(Troy) #10

For me, in this earlier WOE, I would make chia seed pudding bowls
Others really enjoy or eat often. YMMV
I just eliminated completely

I did get bloated - Then right to “ pudding “ in the other “ bowl “…
Not fun

Good Luck either way

(Bunny) #11

Here are some tips and info on how to use chia seeds CORRECTLY:

[1] How to Eat Chia Seeds Without Getting Constipated or Bloated

[2] ”…Chia was so prized by the ancient Aztecs that it was used as a form of currency. Aztec warriors would take a small pouch of chia seeds on long journeys as a SMALL AMOUNT could sustain a grown man for days. The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico known for their unearthly running endurance would take a chia seed drink to sustain and recharge during races that have been known to last days and span more than a hundred miles in rugged desert canyon terrain. …” …More

(Bunny) #12

A pre-existing leaky gut is why you form oxalates, oxalates are not the cause of a leaky gut.

#13

It’s a vicious cycle. Oxalate microcrystals physically irritate the epithelium and can break open gap junctions. This allows the next round of oxalate to get in more easily. That being said, some people seem to be quite tolerant of oxalate and pound down high oxalate foods their whole life without issue.

(Bunny) #14

Deeper question, why would you be forming oxalates (microcrystals) that are doing all this damage to begin with?

Oxalate forming foods do not automatically form crystalline particulates.

#15

Who says the body is forming them? They are usually already formed in the foods. Oxalic acid and oxalate salts tend to have poor solubility. Some plants, such as Dieffenbachia have very large oxalate crystals. These can Lodge in the mouth and throat causing pain, redness, and an inability to speak, hence the common name of “dumb cane.”

Dissolved oxalate can be toxic too. Eating rhubarb leaves can be deadly due to their oxalate content. There is even a case of someone binging on enough sorrel soup to die from oxalate poisoning.

(Bunny) #16

Well, I guess eating exotic things like rhubarb leaves and other exotic parts of plants with preformed crystals are not such a good idea?

(traci simpson) #17

I love sorrel, I grew French Sorrel in my garden.

#18

It’s not, but people do it. Oxalic acid is what makes many plants, like the aforementioned rhubarb and sorrel, so delightfully sour. Can’t win them all. I generally avoid oxalate, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying a bar of Lily’s every now and then.

(Ethan) #19

Ummm no… oxalates are naturally occurring in plants. It’s unclear how many we make endogenously, but it is well established that foods high in oxalates can cause a buildup in the body. It is absolutely not the case that a leaky gut causes us to make them. They penetrate the gut, which is a Potential cause of the leak he got. They bind with minerals in the body and wreak havoc.

#20

That’s super interesting to me, I do have MTHFR, maybe why me and Chia seeds don’t mesh :face_with_monocle: