Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease - Part 3

This is Part 3 on the topic of osteoporosis. I want to tell you a bit about one of my favorite calcium / mineral-rich foods - sesame seeds - and why you should make them a part of your daily diet.

Sesame Seeds: The Tiny Yet Mighty, Tasty Seeds That Deliver A BIG Nutritional Punch!

Unless you regularly consume traditionally-made "halvah" - sesame seed candy, or "gomasio" - the toasted sesame seed / sea salt condiment, or drizzle sesame-garlic tahini salad dressing over your greens, the only time that you can probably remember eating sesame seeds is when you ate your last hamburger bun. Shame!

The tiny, oval, pale brown sesame seed delivers a big nutritional boost toward growing and maintaining healthy bones, teeth, hair, skin, and nails. This tasty seed is almost 19 percent protein and is richly endowed with B & E vitamins, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and other trace minerals. Try to find unhulled, whole sesame seeds; these are darker in color and considerably richer in nutrients than their white, hulled cousins.

A good way to add sesame seeds to your diet is to replace peanut butter with organic, crunchy sesame butter. I prefer raw sesame butter, but the toasted variety is okay, too. Sometimes sesame butter is referred to as "tahini" or "sesame tahini". I also like to make sweet sesame snack balls by combining sesame butter with enough whole sesame seeds to form a stiff paste. Add raw honey to sweeten, then form into small balls about one-inch in diameter, and roll in unsweetened coconut shreds to coat. Refrigerate, then enjoy. Yum.

Benefits: If you eat 2 or 3 of these nutrient-dense, decadent treats each day, you may find that your PMS symptoms begin to diminish, a calm demeanor envelopes you and you don't become rattled so quickly, you fall asleep with ease and stay asleep, and perhaps if you suffer from restless leg syndrome, this begins to abade. As sesame seeds are high in fiber and healthy oil, constipation issues will be lessened. Not bad for a tiny seed!!

NOTE: The above article was written by Stephanie Tourles, lic. esthetician, herbalist, cert. aromatherapist, and nutritionist, and adapted from her book, "How To Feel Fabulous Today!", Storey Publishing, 2001. The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.