Aztec Super Grain

What the Spanish referred to as Salvia Hispanica L, refers to the Chia seed, black and white, used by the Aztecs of South America. But more recently, cultivated white seeds have begun to be marketed as Salba. You may not find it in your grocery store, but you might be able to get it in a health food store or natural food supermarket. Just two tablespoons a day added to your cereal, fruit smoothie, or even in the goodies you bake, can significantly contribute to your cardiovascular health, and reduce such risks of Type II diabetes. This whole grain is a rich source of protein, calcium, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, iron and antioxidants. In fact, it contains 15 times more magnesium than broccoli, three times more iron than spinach, and it is gluten free. It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, and it won’t change the taste of the foods you add it to, the way flax or soy products do. It has been described as the richest source of omega 3’s and fiber found in nature. So, if you have been using flax seed for the health benefits, consider trying salba.

Increasing your daily intake of magnesium and fiber has been shown to reduce diabetes risk, so salba might be a good way to increase those in your diet. Many companies promote products based upon Salba, or simply sell the whole grain. Such products are still fairly new on the market, with some few items appearing in stores in the US market only in 2006, though there is a long history of human consumption with no adverse health effects.

Painful Muscle Cramps

Preventing Muscle Cramps and Spasms - One of the most important things you can do to help prevent muscle cramps and spasms is to work on improving your overall general health and fitness. Improving your cardiovascular fitness will improve the delivery of blood to your muscles, ensuring that they have adequate oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
A second key activity that will help to prevent cramps and spasms is stretching. Keeping your muscles loose and flexible will help to stop them from tightening up and cramping. Be sure to stretch the muscle groups that are most prone to cramping, but be very careful about stretching muscles, ligaments and tendons before they are adequately warmed up. After strenuous activity, stretching is a great way to cool down. Stretches must be done slowly, and hold each position for several seconds before slowly releasing. Don’t “bounce”. That’s a sure way to pull something. Just because it looks simple, don't make the mistake of thinking that stretching won't be effective.

Along with improving your overall fitness, making sure that you are getting sufficient fluids and nutrients is also important. Many adults are dehydrated and don’t know it. How much water or similar fluid (like green tea) you need to drink depends upon a number of factors including your size and your level of activity. On a day when you plan to go for a long walk or hike, for example, begin a little extra fluid intake up to two hours before you start. If the weather is hot and humid, you might want to increase fluids even more. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Taking a drink then will not help you prevent cramps. You need to take the fluid in a few hours before you put a strain on your systems, so that you are properly hydrated down to the cell level. You have no doubt heard about the importance of drinking 8 glasses of water every day, or even ten. I don’t support that rule. What is adequate for me might be too much for you or vice versa. Too much water can be dangerous as well, because it dilutes the blood and other fluids and can overwork the kidneys. Ask your doctor or health care provider what might be a good practice for you. Get to know your body and what it needs.

Once last thing…If you seem to be plagued by cramps or muscle spasms, you may need to increase your uptake of certain minerals. Some can do this by simply adding sea salt to their diet, using a little in cooking for example. Your doctor might recommend a supplement of calcium and magnesium, along with some extra potassium. While that is not a bad idea, it is usually best to get these and other nutrients in your diet, so ask the doctor about ways you might be able to do that over the long term. I like to eat a banana after a long hard hike to help replace potassium. Oh, I must warn you that if you buy sea salt as a total replacement for table salt, you probably won’t be getting the important iodine, because most sea salt labels I’ve read warn that they are not iodized.

Before I go, since you really should consult your physician if you are having frequent leg cramps, while you are there, you might also want to check whether any of your medications have cramps listed as possible side-effects. I’ve had a problem with certain cholesterol lowering drugs.