CHIA SEED Oil ~ 8 oz ~ VIRGIN ORGANIC ~ Sourced from Peru ~

This unrefined material is filtered and has a bright, golden-yellow color and characteristic aroma and flavor. Commonly referred to as a superfood, virgin organic chia seed oil is a popular alternative to fish oil as a source of essential fatty acids. There are many different species of chia, but Salvia hispanica is the only one known to contain such high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Virgin organic chia seed oil is an especially great option for vegetarians and vegans to obtain omega-3 fatty acids from a botanical source. It has a 3:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and has become a popular supplement due to its naturally high level of alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA). This essential fatty acid cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through the diet.
Virgin organic chia seed oil is widely used in the food industry as a cooking oil and is commonly found in various salad dressings and marinades.
 
In the cosmetic industry, chia seed oil is formulated in topical body creams and lotions to treat dry skin and promote healthier hair.
 
You might know chia seeds as part of a fad toy that involves growing green "hair" on top of a clay “pet,” but chia seeds actually have a long history as a power food dating to the Aztecs. Although whole chia seeds have the most nutritive value, chia seed oil also has properties that may boost your health and help prevent disease.
 
Researchers in Argentina investigated the effect of chia oil on a breast cancer cell line in rats. The study, published in the journal “Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids” in 2007, found that chia oil might decrease tumor weight and the number of cancer cells, as well as boosting cancer cell death. The rats in the study also had a decrease in cancer metastasis, the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. More studies are needed to verify this benefit in humans.
 
High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of heart disease. A study published in the “Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism” in 2007 investigated whole chia seed and chia seed oil on cholesterol levels in rats. Although triglyceride fats and beneficial HDL cholesterol had only minor improvements in rats fed chia oil versus the whole seed, both groups showed improvement in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids when compared to a control. Other studies have found a general benefit from plant-based omega-3 oil supplements on cholesterol levels, such as a human trial published in the journal “Harefuah” in 2001 that showed significant decreases in total cholesterol, harmful LDL cholesterol and triglyceride fats in patients with cardiovascular disease.
 
Pruritis is an unpleasant skin sensation that produces a strong urge to scratch, and it is a characteristic symptom of some systemic diseases such as advanced kidney disease. Xerotic pruritis is a form of the condition that includes redness, dry scaling and cracks in the skin. Research reported in May 2010 in the “Annals of Dermatology” found that a topical application of chia oil led to significant improvements in skin moisture, skin thickening and crusty lumps in patients with pruritis caused by end-stage kidney disease and also in healthy patients with xerotic pruritis.
 
Because of the lack of large-scale human trials to verify these benefits, consult your doctor before using chia seed oil for medicinal purposes.