Inflammation is your body's normal response to infection or injury and can also be caused by certain unhealthy lifestyle habits including poor diet, smoking, and not exercising. While it is a natural response and does help the body heal, long-term inflammation can lead to an increased risk of a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Studies show that alpha-Linolenic (ALA), the omega-3 fat present in chia seeds is effective at decreasing inflammation which in turn decreases the risk for those chronic diseases.