Olive Oil and Nuts Lower Heart Disease Risk Better Than Pharmaceuticals

More vindication for a naturalMediterranean-style diet including plenty of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) andnuts was released in an advanced study published by the prestigious journalAtherosclerosis. Early results from aSpanish study with more than 7500 participants’ demonstrates that highquantities of dietary EVOO and a variety of different species of nuts is moreeffective in managing and preventing a heart event than traditional drugtherapy.

Many physicians place theirpatients on the standard prescription of beta blockers and ACE inhibitors in adesperate effort to prevent advancing heart disease, even though repeatedstudies prove these drugs are detrimental to long-term health. Include copiousamounts of EVOO and nuts in your diet to dramatically lower heart disease riskand avoid the need for risk drugs.

Study Provides Proof of Natural Diet over Drugs in the Fight againstHeart Disease

To conduct the study, researchersplaced the participants into one of three groups following either aMediterranean style diet receiving 15 liters of EVOO over a 90 day period, a nutgroup consuming 30 grams per day of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts or a standardlow-fat diet. Among those participants over the age of 55, the scientists foundthat carotid artery thickness was significantly reduced in the EVOO and nutgroups for individuals with already thickened arterial walls.

Researchers commented,“A modification in the entire dietpattern managed to achieve in just one year, results that pharmaceutical drugsdid not – even after two years of treatment.” Lead study author, Dr. MiguelAngel Martinez-Gonzalez was impressed that a diet concentrated on natural foodsources high in beneficial fats improved cardiovascular risk outcomes more thanPharma options. The study also found that the traditional low-fat (highcarbohydrate) diet frequently prescribed by physicians and dieticians today hasno health benefits and allows for heart disease to progress unabated.

Monounsaturated Fats From EVOO and Nuts Improve Vascular Elasticity

Most alternative healthpractitioners understand that a dramatic reduction of wheat-based carbohydratescoupled with increased monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 sources can provide forvascular elasticity to lower risk of heart disease and stroke. No drug can makethe same claim, despite billions of dollars spent to market and promoteunnecessary pharmaceutical options to millions of unsuspecting patients.

Dr. Martinez-Gonzalez concluded “We thus observed… a significant improvementand regression of lesions having taken place in those cases that had followed aMediterranean diet enriched with virgin olive oil or nuts.” After just 90days of EVOO or nut consumption, lipoprotein ratios improved enough to deliversignificant improvement in heart disease risk for both men and women followingthe diet. To lower your risk of heart disease, adopt a Mediterranean-style eatingpattern and be certain to include a healthy dose of EVOO (unheated) and unprocessednuts (not roasted, cooked or heated).

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Posted in: Heart Disease,Nuts,Olive Oil

A Daily Dose of Nuts May Prevent Diabetes and Complications

Research published in the prestigious journal Diabetes Care (published by the American Diabetes Association) suggests that two ounces of nuts consumed daily when substituted for refined carbohydrate foods can prevent diabetes and the deadly complications caused by the disease. Researchers found that nuts eaten as part of a healthy diet can lower serum blood glucose and lipids to lower long-term blood sugar control as measured by the HbA1C blood test. Grab a big handful of almonds, walnuts, pecans or macadamias to ward off diabetes and metabolic syndrome, devastating conditions currently evolving to threaten human health and longevity.

Nut Consumption Improves Long Term Blood Sugar Control to Prevent Diabetes

The study was setup by creating three groups among subjects with Type II diabetes. The first group was given high carbohydrate muffins, the second received a mixture of nuts including raw almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, and macadamias, and the final group was given a mixture of muffins and nuts. The groups receiving nuts were supplemented with two ounces each day that replaced a carbohydrate-rich dietary food item.

All subjects were tested for changes in long-term blood glucose saturation using the industry standard glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test. Subjects receiving the nut-only dietary supplement demonstrated the greatest improvement in the HbA1c test as well as a reduction in oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol). Both groups receiving muffins showed no improvement in HbA1c, but the nut-muffin combination group did experience an improvement in LDL cholesterol.

Nuts Include Healthy Monounsaturated Fats and Powerful Antioxidants

The group receiving the full-dose two ounce daily serving of nuts reduced their HbA1c readings by two-thirds the level considered to be a meaningful marker by the FDA. This result is very significant to those currently diagnosed as diabetic as well as the millions of pre-diabetic men, women and children that may be able to prevent full onset of the disease. The research team leader, Dr. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto concluded “Mixed, unsalted, raw, or dry-roasted nuts have benefits for both blood glucose control and blood lipids and may be used as part of a strategy to improve diabetes control without weight gain.” Those following a natural lifestyle will choose non-irradiated nut sources that have not been processed or altered in any fashion.

Researchers believe that the unique mix of monounsaturated fats and phenolic compounds naturally occurring in most nuts is responsible for the glycemic control and lipid profile improvements experienced by the diabetic participants. Furthermore, nuts have not been found to contribute to weight gain in this report or other studies, making this tasty food an ideal choice for weight management goals and long-term diabetes risk reduction.

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Posted in: Diabetes,Nuts

Walnuts Provide Most Antioxidants of any Nut

The result of a new study presented to the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society found that the noble walnut packed the highest level of quality antioxidants of any nut species. Not only do walnuts provide plenty of high-quality protein that delivers a perfectly balanced assortment of vitamins, minerals and fiber, they also contain healthful polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that lower deadly artery-clogging small dense oxidized LDL cholesterol. Adding a handful of walnuts to your daily diet can provide many of the essential antioxidants necessary to ward off cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Walnuts Provide Maximum Antioxidant Punch to Prevent Chronic Disease

Dr. Joseph Vinson performed the analysis that showed walnuts provide more antioxidants to the body than other nuts including peanuts, almonds, pecans and pistachios. He noted “A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut. But unfortunately, people don't eat a lot of them. This study suggests that consumers should eat more walnuts as part of a healthy diet.” Tree and ground nuts have long been known to be among Mother Nature`s most perfectly packaged foods, providing a complex of natural enzymes and nutrients that promote human health.

This research analysis compared walnuts to nine other nut species that are ranked among the highest in antioxidant capacity. Walnuts were found to be 2 to 15 times more potent than vitamin E in terms of their antioxidant capacity. Vitamin E is well known for its ability to promote cardiovascular health by lowering dangerous levels of small dense LDL cholesterol particles. The analysis also found that it is important to eat walnuts in their raw and natural form, as heating or roasting degrades the antioxidant properties of the nut.

Calories from Walnuts Do Not Add to Weight Gain

Dr. Vinson found that despite the powerful antioxidant and nutrient punch provided by walnuts and other tree nuts in general, they account for less than 8% of the daily antioxidant allowance for most people. This is likely due to misinformation regarding calories and excess fat content that has circulated about nuts over the past 50 years. Research has demonstrated that regular nut consumption does not lead to excess weight and provides a feeling of satiety. The polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats provided by nuts promote cardiovascular health and have been shown to dramatically lower the risk of a heart attack.

The analysis found that just 7 walnuts each day are sufficient to boost human health. Always eat walnuts in their natural unprocessed and unroasted form to preserve the bounty of enzymes, nutrients and antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent heart disease and cancer.

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Posted in: Heart Disease,Nuts,weight loss

Almonds and Walnuts Prevent Heart Disease and Diabetes

Man has evolved to eat almonds and walnuts in their natural form and extensive research confirms the benefits to our health. It’s no coincidence that the ratio of fats and other essential nutrients are in perfect balance with our own nutritional needs.

Studies confirm that almonds and walnuts promote heart health by regulating blood lipids and help to prevent diabetes by controlling blood glucose and factors which lead to metabolic syndrome. You can boost your health by adding these nuts to your regular diet and reap the many health benefits.

Poor Diet Increases Risk of Heart Attack

Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of adults and there’s solid evidence that including a handful of nuts to your diet each day can have a significant impact on the health of your heart. The typical diet consists of excessive calories from sugars, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats from fried foods. This type of diet negatively influences blood lipids, causing an uneven balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol. Problems arise when the LDL particles become very small and oxidized as a result of eating too much processed food.

Small LDL particles are known to lead to the formation of foamy plaque which is used by our body to pack the small micro cracks which occur in the delicate inner lining of the coronary arteries. Once the LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized, typically from a diet high in hydrogenated trans fats, the substance becomes sticky and quickly forms into dangerous plaque which can narrow the arteries. This sets the stage for a blockage and can lead to a heart attack.

Eat Nuts Daily for Heart Health

According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating nuts on a regular basis can help to change the blood lipid chemistry to reduce the risk from coronary artery disease and death from a heart attack. Nuts are loaded with beneficial monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats which directly control the size of the LDL cholesterol particles as well as oxidation properties which make the particles less cohesive and less likely to form plaque.

It’s important to note that eating nuts is just one powerful tool in your dietary toolbox for fighting heart disease. To dramatically lower your risk of heart disease, you must cut out refined carbohydrates, wheat based foods and eliminate sugar as this type of diet fuels atherogenic blood fats and heart disease. Use nuts as a compliment to your healthy diet.

Almonds and Walnuts Help Prevent Diabetes

The continual blood sugar spikes seen in many people after eating are a sign of metabolic dysfunction which leads to diabetes. A diet high in sugar and processed carbs drives this condition which can lead to devastating complications including blindness, kidney failure and neuropathy. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that eating almonds before a meal helps to decrease the wild blood sugar swings from a high carb meal. This helps to lower the risk of developing diabetes and can even assist in the treatment of the disorder when used as part of a healthy diet.

Almonds and walnuts are nutritional super foods which have been shown to provide essential health benefits. These natural foods help regulate blood lipids and glucose to lower the risk of heart disease and help to prevent diabetes. In addition to eliminating sugar, wheat and processed carbs from your diet, try adding a handful of these nuts to your menu each day for optimal health benefits.

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Posted in: Diabetes,Heart Disease,Nuts