Part II
Molecular Biologist, Orsalem Khasai
Issayas: Your company's (Living Healthy World) product includes flaxseed (entateah in Tigrigna) and chia seed? What are they?
Orsalem:
Both flaxseed and chia seeds are exceptionally well-balanced plant
based foods, and very popular because of their high nutritional values.
Both Flax and chia seeds are known for their high omega-3(ALA) fat
content. Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that
benefit cardiovascular and overall health. Needless to say, our bodies
need these essential fatty acids, and since our systems cannot produce
them, we must rely on foods and supplements to attain these on a
daily basis. Flaxseed is not only high on omega-3 (ALA ) but also very
high in lignans. Lignans are phytoestrogens that have been shown to help
prevent certain diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Flax-seed
is also an excellent source of fiber, high quality protein, potassium,
calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous. For hundreds of years, Chia
seeds were used by the Mayans and then the Aztecs as a revered food
source. This tiny seed is a great source of antioxidants, fiber,
protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, as well as those essential
Omega-3s.
Issayas: Your products are FDA approved. It's great
news! I hear that getting FDA approval is hard and tedious process? Is
it true? Would you tell us more about it?
Orsalem: Our products
are USDA organically certified dietary supplements. In general, FDA
approval is not required for dietary supplements. The FDA has very
stringent requirements on making any health claims, which we had to
follow. For instance, the FDA approves claims that Omega -3 from EPA
and DHA as being able to reduce the risks of coronary heart disease
(CHD) on conventional foods and dietary supplements. Since Omega-3 ALA
is a precursor for converting Omega-3 EPA/DHA, by consuming plant
based omega-3 our body can get the essential fatty acids without the
risk for mercury and toxic chemicals from marine sources. The FDA also
recognizes the claim that Omega-3 improves cardiovascular health.
There is much research that shows Omega-3’s positive benefits for
conditions such as cancer, diabetes, inflammation, poor eye sight, some
brain functions, and menopause. Currently, there are plenty of
research data readily available so we direct people to the information
and research literature in order to allow them to make their own
informed decision.
Issayas: Nutrition is important to human
health. Your scientific investigation and your personal experience of
using flax-seed when you were young had contributed in creating your
product. You had successfully stabilized ground flax seed for use in products requiring long shelf life. Would you tell us more about this?
Orsalem:
Omega-3s provide those essential fatty acids can be obtained only from
foods in our daily diet. Flax-seed must be cold milled (a type of
grinding) to open the hard shell, so the nutrients are accessible. Chia
seed should be ground for optimum nutrient accessibility, but that
seed hull is more digestible. However, once the shell is opened
rancidity begins through oxidization and exposure to light. We had to
address this problem. Having people consume seeds that just pass through
their system is not what we wanted. Having the cold milled seed
deteriorate through opening and closing of containers is not what we
wanted. Flax and Chia seeds are such abundant sources of the crucial
Omega-3s, we took on the problem. Our company has come up with two different solutions to protect, or stabilize, these vital Omega-3s.
The
1st solution is to design special packaging materials that are heat,
light, and oxygen resistant and then vacuum sealed into the individual
serve packets. This not only prevents oxidation but also provides
convenience -- the products can be used anywhere or anytime, and do
not even require refrigeration. The 2nd solution is that our company has
a pending patent in the field of nutraceuticals. Our method includes
for preparing and compositions comprising plant-based forms of
omega-3 fatty acids using temperature and lipid ratio. These methods
allow us add these wonderful plant based Omega 3s to foods that we
already buy in stores, such as spreads, salad dressings, drinks, etc.
Issayas: Besides flax and chia, what are other Omega-3 sources of nutrition that are plant based? Marine based?
Orsalem:
The two types of Omega-3 sources: Plant and marine based. Plant based:
Flax and chia seeds are the highest source of omega-3 ALA. However soy
foods, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and canola (rapeseed) oil contain a low concentration
of Omega-3 ALA. Marine based: Cold-water fish such as salmon and
mackerel are an exemplary food sources that are high in Omega-3s EPA and
DHA. Unfortunately, fish frequently contain high levels of mercury and other
contaminants which are toxic to humans and lead to impairments of
neurological development. The presence of these contaminants decreases
the desirability of consuming large quantities of fish.
Issayas: Have you looked into Eritrean diet and analyze what is missing or is too much of?
Orsalem:
If I can speak for myself and our traditional foods, I really think we
have a better diet compared to what I have observed in western society
but there is plenty of room for improvements by balancing our diet and
defining serving sizes. I do believe we consume a fair amount of
carbohydrates because of the amount of engera that we eat. Our
cultural foods contain plenty of spices (herbs), proteins, (meat, beans,
poultry), dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese, groups), and carbohydrates (engera,
breads, pasta) but I do not think we consume enough serving of fruits
and veggies. Of even greater concerns are the intakes of Omega-3s, those
essential fatty acids, that we must have every day. I developed this
company in response to this need by providing organic, fully ground
flaxseed and chia seed that do not deteriorate. Fish has the Omega-3s
but it is increasingly toxic and expensive. We needed a healthy and
affordable alternative that can easily be added to our
traditional
foods. Currently, we are seeing type 2 diabetes grow at epidemic
proportions in Eritrean and Ethiopian communities. Type 2 diabetes is
appearing in young and old people and is putting them at great risk for
life-threatening illnesses. We want the young and old to maintain a
healthy diet to ensure a healthy life style and reduce the risks of
heart attacks and strokes. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we
recommend a diet with full of Omega-3, plenty of exercise, and proper portion control.
Issayas:
Omega 3, 6 and 9 should be in every diet. I don't have any statistics
or facts to base it on, but if I am not mistaken, through observation
and discussing with friends, Eritreans don't eat enough fish. I think it
is improving a bit, but the image doesn't go with a country that has
over 800 miles of coastline. However, in the meantime, to substitute
what is lacking from not eating enough fish is it possible to add for
example, flax seed and chia seed at the intitial stage of preparing berbere?
Orsalem:
You are right. There are abundant resources of fish in our country but
traditionally it has been difficult to get these resources to the
highlands because of refrigeration and other logistical constraints.
Because of that, fish has never been and still is not a stable part
of the Eritrean diet. Incorporating ground flaxseed and/or chia
certainly does fill the void in the nutrition gap by adding it to any of
the normal diets. Unfortunately at this time, it is not possible to
add ground flaxseed
or chia seeds into berbere at its initial
stages. Flax and chia seeds have high oil content and as a result the
oxidation process begins as soon as these seeds are ground making them
vulnerable to rancidity. Our company’s website does provides a list of 25 ways to use the ground seed may be utilized and to add these important elements to the daily diet.
Issayas:
During our conversation, you mentioned that your product of ground flax
seed and chia seed could be added to tsebhi (Eritrean staple dish) and
wouldn't change the texture and the taste of the food besides thickening
it? How is that?
Orsalem: Both flax and chia seeds are ground
milled so fine that they can be added to tsebhi without compromising the
taste. Both these products really have no taste and all they would do
is just thickening the tsebhi. These finely ground and vacuum sealed
packets are also great additions to soups, oatmeal, cereal, smoothies,
salads, and other foods without changing the taste. We are always open
to suggestions on the usage and improvement recommendations so feel free
to provide
any input. Our organically certified single serve Chia
seed, Flax seeds, or Flax n’ Chia blend can be used on a daily basis as
each of them contain over 3,000mg omega-3 (ALA), 900mg omega 6 (LA),
average 700mg omega -9 (OA), Dietary fiber (16-20% DV), protein, antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals.
Below is the link to Orsalem's company and her products on Amazon
http://www.lhwfoods.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Flaxwell-Certified-Organic-Flaxseed-Packets/dp/B00B0N8XMI/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_y
http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Organic-Ground-Milled-Packets/dp/B00B0N8XKK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1
http://www.amazon.com/Chiawell-Certified-Organic-Ground-Packets/dp/B00B0N8XQE/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1
Issayas:
Ever since I received your products, I've been putting it on
everything. It is great. I think your product is a good example of a
"knowledge based economy". I've been talking about how Eritrea needs to
look into its culture (also traditional medical practices,etc.) and
invest into this "knowledge based economy". Orsalem, thank you for your time to answer my questions and your "healthy" tips. I wish you good luck with your company!
Orsalem: Thank you.