Salba is a supplement brand from Florida-based health food company Ancient Naturals, LLC, based on the whole seeds cultivated from the Salvia hispanica flowering plant native to Central America. Available in a variety of forms that include snack bars, tortilla chips, dips, brownies, seed oil and softgels, Salba primarily is marketed as a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, but is used for much more than these two nutritional elements.
Omega-3 and Dietary Fiber
People can use Salba for omega-3 and dietary fiber. Commonly found in fish and eggs, omega-3 is essential for a healthy metabolism, particularly brain development, growth and function. Dietary fiber -- found in foods as diverse as beans, oats, flaxseed and apples -- is useful for normal digestive function. Salba uses fiber to provide a fullness when ingested, thereby curbing hunger. Ancient Naturals promotes Salba as containing more omega-3 than salmon and more dietary fiber than flaxseed, with 2.74 g per 12 g serving for the former and 4.1 g per 12 g serving for the latter.
Calcium
People can rely on Salba for a substantial amount of calcium, with 92.4 g per 12 g serving. Making up most of our bones and teeth, calcium is chiefly responsible for the strength and rigidity of such structures. It also has other functions, such as regulating heart rhythm and passage of nutrients, contributing to normal blood clotting and normal blood pressure, and maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function. According to Ancient Naturals, Salba has more calcium than whole milk.
Magnesium
A third major nutrient that Salba is used for is magnesium, which is one of the most abundant minerals in the body. Like calcium, magnesium helps in forming bones and teeth, keeping normal nerve and muscle function, and maintaining blood pressure. Moreover, magnesium is instrumental in relaxing the muscles. Salba offers 45.6 mg of magnesium per 12 g serving, and Ancient Naturals promotes the product as containing more of the mineral than broccoli.
Iron
The fourth major nutrient that Salba provides is iron, which is mainly responsible for assisting in the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. This helps in activities such as cell growth, strengthening of the immune system and maintenance of a normal energy level. Salba offers a milligram of iron per 12 g serving, and Ancient Naturals claims that the supplement has more iron than foods such as spinach.
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