ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) are necessary fats that humans cannot manufacture and must obtain from the foods they eat. These are the "good fats" that raise High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or "good cholesterol" and support a number of vital body functions such as cardiovascular, reproductive and nervous system. EFA's are needed to manufacture and repair cell membranes and in the production of prostaglandins which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception and play a role in immune efficiency by regulating inflammation and encouraging the body to fight infection. 

Modern food processing has a large impact on the types of fat in foods. People now eat smaller amounts of EFA’s and more refined and unnatural fats and oils, such as trans-fats. The commercial refinement of fats and oils has led to a lower availability of EFA’s in the diet and also transforms essential fatty acids into toxic compounds.  Refined fats may also prevent the body from using the EFA’s which do remain in the diet. 

More than 65% of the total fat in Salba® is from Omega-3 (ALA) and Omega-6 fatty acids. Salba, due to its high Omega 3:6 ratio helps restore fatty acid balance as is recommended, but which currently runs in the range of 10:1 to 20:1 (Omega 6 : Omega 3) in North America. Salba is also naturally low in saturated fat (3g/100g) and provides a small amount of monounsaturated fat (2g/100g).

DIETARY FIBER

Salba is an excellent source of dietary fiber. One hundred grams (100g) of Salba contains 36g total fiber: 32g of which is water-insoluble and 4g of which is water-soluble. Insoluble fiber improves laxation and prevents constipation, mainly by increasing fecal bulk and reducing bowel transit time. Water-soluble fiber helps maintain healthy blood glucose levels and lower blood cholesterol levels.

Salba provides over 5g of Dietary Fiber and has less than 1g net Carbohydrates per 15g serving (1 rounded Tablespoon of whole grain)

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants are compounds, best obtained from food, that are capable of counteracting the damaging physiological effects of oxidation in the human body. This oxidation process can be explained as follows: Cells use oxygen to produce energy. When the cells burn oxygen they also create byproducts. These byproducts are called “free radicals”. Free radicals are toxic substances; they are unstable oxygen molecules that have an imbalance of electrons.

The imbalance of electrons causes those affected molecules to steal electrons from other healthy cells causing damage. This damages the cell and creates more free radicals. The undesirable free radicals, left unchecked, destroy more cells causing a chain reaction resulting in more and more cells being damaged. As cells are damaged, the signs of aging become more visible.  Free radicals are also believed to play a key role in certain chronic illnesses.

Although it is impossible for humans to avoid the damage caused by free radicals, it is possible to fight them using antioxidants.  Antioxidants combat free radicals by neutralizing them, preventing the chain reaction that begins when they attack healthy cells.  Studies indicate that antioxidants are more effective when consumed from food sources such as whole grains and whole grain food and fruit and vegetable oils.

Salba has a powerful antioxidant capacity (AAE of 4.73 mg AAE/g, and an ORAC value of 84 umol TE/g). This ORAC score is twice that found in whole grain cereals, and 30% more than that found in blueberries.

PROTEINS

The proteins of Salba show an excellent distribution of amino acids, including all essential amino acids.

Recent studies conducted at the Imperial College, London, England suggest that people who ate more vegetable protein were more likely to maintain healthy normal blood pressure, than those who ate less. They are consistent with current recommendations that diets high in vegetable products are part of a healthy lifestyle for maintaining healthy normal blood pressure and related heart health.

Calculation of the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) indicates Salba proteins have a digestibility in the range of other proteins used in nutritional products. The PER for Salba is slightly higher than that of Soy protein, a common and highly regarded source of quality protein.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS -

Vitamins and minerals are very important aspects of a balanced diet. Getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs can be difficult. It is essential that you get these vitamins or minerals because over time the deficiency can lead to moderate or serious discomfort, or a life threatening illness. Folate, a form of Vitamin B, is necessary in the production of red blood cells and proper neurological function, especially in women of child-bearing age.   Salba's composition includes many vitamins and minerals vital to good health and nutrition.