Eating Tree Nuts Lowers Chronic Disease Risks and Assists Successful Weight Loss

Consumption of nuts has been largely maligned by mainstream health professionals and the media for decades due to the high calorie and fat content. As we enter an era of enlightened understanding about the role of dietary fats and macronutrients in the promotion or degradation of health and weight management, forward-thinking scientists and practitioners rely on extensive research demonstrating the importance of healthy fats in their natural state to prevent heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions.

Researchers publishing the result of their work in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition have found that eating tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts) was associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (good HDL cholesterol) and lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation which can lead to a variety of chronic diseases including heart disease.

Tree Nuts Shown to Lower Chronic Disease Risk and Helps Prevent Obesity

Lead study author, Dr. Carol O’Neil from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center also observed “One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers.” The scientists determined that those consuming tree nuts as part of their regular diet averaged slightly over 4 pounds lower body weight or nearly one inch smaller waist circumference.

The study centered on a cohort of 13,292 men and women participating in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Tree nut consumers were defined as those individuals consuming more than one-quarter ounce each day as determined from 24-hour recall data and questionnaires.

Eat a Handful of Tree Nuts Each Day to Lower Chronic Disease Risk

Tree nut consumption was associated with a five percent lower incidence of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors known to increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and type II diabetes. Researchers further noted that the nut-consuming group exhibited a lower prevalence of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.

Tree nuts consist of largely monounsaturated fats that are known to promote heart health, and have been shown to be of critical importance for optimal brain function. Dr. O’Neil concluded “Tree nuts should be an integral part of a healthy diet and encouraged by health professionals.” Nutritionists recommend eating 1 ½ ounces each day of raw, unheated, non-salted tree nuts to lower chronic disease risk and assist weight management goals.

Almonds, Cinnamon and Chromium Lower Blood Sugar to Prevent Chronic Disease

Many people don’t give a second thought to their blood glucose levels until a physician indicates a problem with sugar regulation or there is a diagnosis of diabetes. At this point, a cascade of metabolically mediated events is taking place that paves the road toward chronic disease and an early demise.

Even slightly elevated blood sugar readings have been shown to be a significant cause for concern that signals the early stages of a host of potentially fatal conditions and debilitating complications. The good news is you can halt and even reverse the damage caused by poor blood sugar control with almonds and including the natural nutrients cinnamon and chromium before meals.

Checking Blood Sugar Levels to Prevent Disease

The importance of checking blood sugar levels cannot be understated. Researchers have demonstrated that fasting levels and post meal (postprandial) readings currently considered normal by standard medical practice lead to many chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

Fasting readings should be no higher than 80 mg/dl and postprandial levels should not rise more than 40 mg/dl. When blood sugar is allowed to exceed these readings, pancreatic beta cell death ensues leading to insulin dysfunction. Purchase an inexpensive blood sugar meter and check your fasting and post meal readings until you have a good understanding of how different foods affect your glucose levels.

Almonds Shown to Dramatically Lower Blood Sugar

Diet is the most powerful intervention you have to bring blood sugar reading in control. Everybody has a different tolerance level for the number of glucose-inducing carbohydrates that can be consumed at each meal. Highly processed foods are most likely to trigger high blood sugar levels while raw foods such as almonds have been found to have a neutralizing effect on sugar spikes.

Information published in the American Journal of Infectious Diseases found that eating almonds had a profound effect on a wide variety of health biomarkers including blood glucose. Almonds are packed with phytonutrients, antioxidants and biologically active compounds that lower the risk of many chronic diseases. The study authors concluded, “The present study has demonstrated that inclusion of 10 g of almonds in diet led to a significant reduction in fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels.“

Cinnamon Restores Normal Sugar Metabolism

Cinnamon not only tastes great but also is rich in bioactive compounds that have been shown to regulate the impact of rising blood sugars. In an article published in the journal Phytomedicine, cinnamon extract has been shown to trigger cellular signaling of proteins inside the pancreas that assists secretion and regulation of insulin. This action prevents deadly blood sugar surges when taken before eating a carbohydrate controlled meal.

Chromium Aids Glucose Breakdown

Chromium is an essential element that has been shown to be chronically deficient in the diet due to poor farming practices. Chromium is critical to healthy glucose metabolism and works by interacting with cellular receptors that enhance our response to insulin. The online forum Current Diabetes Reports explains that chromium improves insulin sensitivity and aids in the transfer of glucose from the blood into cells by activating special glucose transport molecules. Most people will need to supplement with 200 mcg twice daily before meals.

Maintaining blood sugar in a narrow range is critical to lower disease risk and achieve optimal health. Monitor your own fasting and post meal blood sugar readings to better understand the dietary impact of different foods, and take advantage of almonds, cinnamon and chromium to assist healthy blood sugar regulation.

Almonds Can Prevent Diabetes and Assist Weight Loss Efforts

(Article first published as Include Almonds to Lower Risk of Diabetes, Assist Weight Loss Efforts on Technorati.)

It’s hard to imagine that a natural food that tastes as good as an almond can have such a profound beneficial effect on health. Regular almond consumption is shown to lower the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in part due to the high fiber content and concentration of monounsaturated fats.

Further research demonstrates that almonds contribute to accelerated fat metabolism and can reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity by influencing healthy blood glucose control and insulin response. Just a handful of almonds every day can improve your health profile and lower the risk of serious disease.

Almonds Help to Stabilize Blood Sugar Spikes

Post meal blood sugar spikes are known to contribute to the development of metabolic disorders including diabetes and initiate the chain of events that lead to cardiovascular disease. Any intervention that can help to minimize the post meal rush of blood sugar will reduce the risk from these conditions.

The results of a study conducted at the Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health and published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows how almond consumption can blunt the effect of high blood sugar, prevent insulin resistance and lower levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol. The study involved 65 prediabetic adults that were broken into two groups to determine the effect of almond consumption. The control group ate a healthy diet low in carbohydrates for 16 weeks and excluded all nuts. The intervention group consumed the same diet but included 20% of total calories from almonds.

Blood analysis showed that the almond group had significantly better insulin levels and improved markers for insulin resistance and beta-cell function. The study authors concluded that the high fiber content and unsaturated fats in almonds “help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Almonds in the Battle Against Obesity

Almonds are high in protein, fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats that are all known to influence how our body stores and metabolizes fat for energy. Almonds are rich in complex carbohydrates that require significant energy to be broken down by our body. The International Journal of Obesity published the results of a study that shows almonds are “a feasible option for consideration and have a potential role in the public health implications of obesity.” The study concluded that almonds provide a sensation of satiety and are beneficial for people trying to lose weight.

Almonds are a perfectly balanced food source that can benefit health. This powerful seed has a balanced ratio of proteins, carbohydrates and fats that are in perfect alignment with human macronutrient requirements. Nutritional studies confirm that almonds regulate blood sugar and prevent insulin resistance that lowers the risk from diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, almonds help regulate fat metabolism and can be used as a tool to assist weight loss. Include a handful of almonds every day to reap the many health benefits.