I adore chia. Every since co-writing The Chia Book (Sterling), due out this May, I’ve stepped up my daily chia use to two or more tablespoons. The results have been amazing: More energy, better sleep, less cravings, more glow, stronger nails, better-feeling joints.

Indeed, chia is good for so many conditions, it has so many benefits, it helps so many people, that it seems strange to single out its happy role as a weight loss aid. But let’s face it, we live in a time where there are more overweight people than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control 33.8 % of Americans were obese in 2010.

If people keep gaining weight at the current rate, fat will be the norm by 2015, with 75 % of U.S. adults overweight. Or so says a team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The scientists examined 20 published obesity studies, as well as studying national surveys of national weight and behavior to come up with these predictions.

Why excess weight is a big deal: Non-pregnant, human bodies are not meant to carry excess weight. The heavier a person is, the shorter his or her lifespan and the greater the likelihood of developing a weight-related illness, such as diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, varicose veins and others.

Just from a personal standpoint, being overweight means experiencing regular shortness of breath, it means having less endurance, it means finding it a challenge to enjoy simple pleasures such as playing with your children or grandchildren. It means not fitting through a turnstile, struggling to find appropriate clothing to wear, getting stuck in a movie theatre seat or behind the wheel of a car and even paying extra on some airlines.

Then there is the cost to society. The more overweight people a country has, the higher it’s health costs. That’s because of the weight-related illnesses mentioned above. According the Centers for Disease Control, medical costs associated with obesity are estimated at $147 billion yearly. The medical cost paid by third-party payors for obese Americans were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight individuals.

So that’s where chia comes in. Chia is an easy-to-take product that encourages you to eat less. It does this in a few different ways. First, it fills you up. Literally. It swells up to 12 times in your stomach, making you feel full. It also lowers blood sugar levels, which can eliminate or reduce cravings for unhealthy foods.

Some research has also shown that regular chia consumption helps ward off “middle fat”—the fat that literally hangs around the middle of your body.

Lastly, chia increases physical endurance by lubricating joints and muscles and keeping the body steadily hydrated so it can stay in action longer without uncomfortable cramps. It supplies a slow, constant drip of energy so you can keep on jogging, walking, swimming, rowing, skating or doing whatever else it is you like to do to get fit.