Chia seeds

Flax seed has to be processed in order to be digested. The hard outer shell makes it indigestible hence why it needs to be ground up or purchased in meal form. Due to the processing and harsh solvents used, flax seed has some toxins and anti-nutritional factors. Even the best detoxification methods can't detoxify the seed completely.

Personally, I use chia seeds. Yes, exactly what you are thinking. Chia pets! Chia seed is completely safe and non-toxic as well as fully digestible in it's raw, natural form.

Chia seeds contain essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has 6 times more calcium than milk. It is proven to enhance fluid and electrolyte balances as well. It also has soothing properties to the gut and absorbs up to 12 times it's weight upon getting wet within the gut. It helps stimulate intestinal transit and the natural oils act as a lubricant.

Myself, horses, dogs, cats, and gliders all get chia seeds in their diet with astounding results.

Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztec, written and researched by expert Dr. Wayne Coates is an excellent reading for those interested.

Not sure I would give gliders seeds of any sorts. Had a glider that SM due to drinking juice from the Mangosteen fruit. It has very tiny seeds but they got caught in his digestive system and he tore a hole in himself trying to stop the pain. Unless you can grind up the seeds I wouldn't give seeds to gliders.

What are the "astounding results" you see?

Do you grind these seeds when you give them? Give them whole? Are they sprinkled on or mixed in the staple mix or...?

Chia seeds can be purchased in whole form, meal form, and as an extracted oil. I feed the chia seed oil and/or meal to my gliders, the rest of the animals and myself take them whole. Should have mentioned this in my initial post, sorry!

I add the oil or meal to the staple diet itself. It gets blended in.

The results I have seen:

I had a horse with horrible ulcers which required medical treatment. After consulting with my vet, I took the more holistic approach and used chia seeds. That horse has fully recovered from those ulcers with no reoccurances or need for conventional medications . Chia seeds also brought another one of my horses back from a mild colic episode.

All of my animals have an increased shine to their coats/fur. It is fuller and softer.

My 16 year old dog's arthritis is managed by chia seeds alone.

I have also noticed an increase in energy in my horses, dogs, cats, gliders, and myself. Chia seeds have all the benefits of flax seed but safer as it doesn't require detoxification or processing.

I have recently been looking into the health benefits of chia seeds as well. Seems like both animals and humans alike are seriously lacking in nutrition and this is one of those easy ways to add some more "healthiness" in our lives. This is one of my absolute favorite drinks I get at Sunflower Market or Whole Foods for myself even:

http://www.mammachia.com/

Chia seeds can be found in any health food store. They also make chia seed smoothie mixes and energy bars. You can find products and some good educational reading here:

http://www.getchia.com/default.aspx

Kylah, those drinks look fantastic! I may have to take a trip to Whole Foods now.

I have been adding ground chia seeds to my glider's staple mix for about a month now.

To be honest, I haven't noticed much change in the energy level of my gliders - they were pretty active before. I'm interested to see if several months with chia seeds bring any of the differences listed above.