Almonds

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Eat Almonds And Lose Weight

A study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" compared two groups of people who were placed on a 1,000-calorie-a-day liquid diet. One group also ate three ounces of almonds every day. The other group was allowed to eat a mix of complex carbohydrates that included wheat crackers, baked potatoes, and air-popped popcorn. The group that ate the almonds lost more weight - even though the calorie counts for the two groups were identical. In addition, their systolic blood pressure dropped 11 percent, compared to no change in the other group. Why is this significant? It has long been assumed that a calorie is the same no matter where it comes from. Even though the group eating the almonds consumed more fat, they lost more weight. Their Body Mass Index readings dropped 18 percent, compared with the other group's 11 percent. Why do almonds seem to help us lose weight? In a news release announcing the findings, the researchers speculate that almonds contain a special kind of fat that may not be completely absorbed by the body and instead acts as a barrier to other types of fat.

Eat Almonds And Lower Your Ldl

According to a study published in the journal "Metabolism," a diet high in almonds and other heart-healthy foods achieved a 35 percent decrease in LDL, or "bad," cholesterol in just two weeks. A proven heart-healthy diet that was studied in a control group, lowered cholesterol just 12 percent. It has been known for some time that individual foods, including almonds, oatmeal, and foods high in soy protein, lower cholesterol.

Now researchers from St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada and the University of Toronto, led by Dr. David Jenkins, have determined that creating a dietary plan that includes all these foods in combination is just as effective as taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins. The dietary plan that is packed with all these cholesterol-lowering foods is called the Portfolio plan. In addition to almonds, it includes margarine enriched with plant sterols, oats, barley, eggplant, okra, tofu, soy milk, and meat alternatives made from soy. Almonds are the only nut included in the Portfolio diet. They contain vegetable protein, plant sterols, and fiber, and are rich in vitamin E.

Archangel Health News --

Health Benefits: Almonds

Eating almonds has the same effect as the cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. A one and a half ounce handful of almonds is a leading source of vitamin E and magnesium and offers protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron in 246 calories. Also, almonds (and other nuts) contain phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that may provide powerful protection against heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.

New research gives even more support to the healthy benefits of almonds: almonds may well be a food that helps fight obesity and diabetes.

At the recent 2005 Experimental Biology conference there were several studies regarding the benefits on almonds. Almonds may lower LDL (aka "bad) cholesterol, and they seem to help block the body’s absorption of both fat and carbohydrates. This has numerous implications for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The fiber structure of almonds may be the mechanism behind this phenomenon, and this reduces the calories available from the almonds themselves. Almonds may slow the actual absorption of the carbohydrates into the body, which means that they help to create a slower rise in blood sugar levels - and therefore help to keep insulin levels in check.

Almonds also have greater levels of satiety, that is, satisfaction or fullness from food. This may be due to the high fiber content of the almonds, and this greater satiety leads to an overall satisfaction of hunger that can help people to maintain a healthy weight. The studies done at Purdue University showed that adding nearly two servings of almonds to a person’s diet did not cause them to gain weight or body fat at all, but rather led them to decrease their intake of calories from other sources of food. Therefore they did not consume more calories overall but kept the same levels of consumption despite adding almonds to their diet.

From: Food & Health News www.supermarketguru.com/

Almond , General

The almond, (Prunus Dulcis) is a medium sized tree of the rose family, and it is closely related to the Peach. It is an ancient plant and recently carbonized almond remains were found from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. There are two basic types of almonds: sweet and bitter almonds. The sweet is used for eating purposes while the bitter is used for its oil , both as flavoring (for liqueurs and such) and in cosmetics. Today 99% of the almonds grown in the United States come from a 400-mile long stretch of land in California extending north from Bakersfield to Red Bluff.


Historical Uses:

Almond oil, the symbol of wakefulness to the ancient Egyptians, is used in prosperity rituals (anointing candles, money, etc), and it is also added to money incenses. Almond has long been used to invoke the energy of deities. You can anoint yourself or ritual tools with Almond Oil, burn Almond Incense, and use it as a wash. It is an excellant herb to incorporate in Handfastings hand rituals of union. You might use Almond to provide magickal help for someone working to overcome alcohol dependancy. Almond is associated with divination, clairvoyance, wisdom, and money. Almond may be associated with Candlemas, the Spring Equinox, Beltane, and May Eve.

Medicinal and Other Uses:

Almonds can aid in reducing "bad" Cholesterol. The Cancer Research & World Cancer Research Fund states nuts can protect against some cancers based on the bioactive, health-promoting compounds contained in nuts including phytochemicals, vitamines, minerals and fiber. Almond Oil is used in a wide variety of ways medicinally. It is great for earaches, and is found in many skin care products including soaps, cosmetics and cremes. Sweet Almond Oil is an extremely popular oil sought after for it's rich concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids. Almond oil is used in the cosmetic industry for its penetrating, moisturizing and restructuring properties. It is also used as a massage oil and is valued as a carrier oil when used with essential oil for aromatherapy.

special thanks to Zanadu for all of her research

Nuts have gained popularity in recent years as an excellent source of protein and "good fats." One of the best nuts? Almonds. According to Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, almonds are one of the most nutrient-dense good-for-you foods there is.

Although Dr. Rubman encourages eating a variety of nuts, just as you do fruits and vegetables, he particularly likes almonds because of their fatty acids -- almonds are high in monounsaturated fats. Furthermore, almonds have many health-promoting minerals, especially magnesium, but also potassium, which means the nuts help other dietary and supplemental sources protect cardiovascular health. Eating almonds with their skins provides medically significant amounts of vitamin E and flavonoids. Studies have shown that these two work synergistically to help boost LDL cholesterol's (commonly called "bad" cholesterol) resistance to oxidation by more than 50%, important because LDL cholesterol is not dangerous in and of itself. It is oxidation that makes LDL plaque-building and dangerous. This is important in that only a variable fraction of the so-called bad cholesterol actually is associated with coronary vascular disease while the major component is not.

Dr. Rubman adds that almonds are also a good source of protein (6 grams per ounce) nearly as much as one egg (6.3 grams of protein/egg)... and they have fiber and assorted vitamins and minerals. Visit www.almondsarein.com for more on their nutritional content.

Still, some are concerned about the high calorie content of almonds and other nuts. Dr. Rubman has counseled many dieters about how to receive the health benefits of almonds without adding extra calories to their day. The solution: If you want to lose weight do not eat more than an ounce a day of unsalted almonds. That ounce would come to 23 nuts, he says, and the unsalted type is simpler because it is easier to stop at your limit with unsalted nuts than the salted, tastier form. Another good way to enjoy the health properties of almonds without toting up too many calories is to add them to other foods rather than eating them plain. Try chopping some into salads, sprinkling them over string beans or white fish. You can also coat fish or chicken with almond flour -- make your own by grinding the nuts (leave plenty of space for expansion) in a blender, food processor or even coffee grinder.

Be well, Carole Jackson ~ Bottom Line's Daily Health News




Prebiotic potential of almonds ~ Unique lipid helps probiotics multiply and prosper

by Norwich BioScience Institutes ~ ProHealthNetwork.com


06-30-2008 [Note: a lipid is a naturally occurring molecule - often an oil or fat - that in the body functions mainly for energy storage, as a component of cell membranes, or as a signaling messenger owing to its ability to freely diffuse through cell membranes.]

Almonds, as well as being high in vitamin E and other minerals, are also thought to have other health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol. Recently published work by the Institute of Food Research (IFR) has identified potential prebiotic properties of almonds that could help improve our digestive health by increasing levels of beneficial gut bacteria.

Our digestive system maintains a large population of bacteria that live in the colon. The 'good' bacteria [probiotics] form part of our body's defense against harmful bacteria and play a role in the development of the body's immune system.

Prebiotics are non-digestible parts of foods that these bacteria can use to fuel their growth and activity. The prebiotics work by stimulating the growth of the [probiotic] bacteria.

However, in order to get to where they are needed, prebiotics must be able to get through the upper part of the intestine without being digested or absorbed by the body.

Funded by the Almond Board of California, IFR scientists first used the Model Gut, a physical and biochemical simulator of the gastro-intestinal tract, to subject almonds to the same conditions experienced in the stomach and small intestine.

They then added the digested almonds to an in vitro [in the lab] batch system to mimic the bacterial fermentation in the large intestine, and monitored its effect on the populations of intestinal bacteria.

The study, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology,* found that:

Finely ground almonds significantly increased the levels of certain beneficial gut bacteria.

This effect was not seen when the fat content was removed from the almond preparation, suggesting that the beneficial bacteria use the almond lipid for growth, and this is the basis for the prebiotic effect of almonds.

Previous studies have shown that the amount of available lipid is reduced if the almonds are not processed, for example by grinding as in this study or by chewing.

The length of time the almond spends in the digestive system also affects the amount of available lipids and proteins.

More detailed studies on the digestibility of almonds are now required, and the prebiotic effect of almond lipids needs to be tested in human volunteers.

* Reference: “Investigation of the potential prebiotic properties of almond (Amygdalus communis L.) seeds," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 23, 2008. [E-Pub ahead of print] by Mandalari G, et al.

* * * * prohealth.com

Will I gain weight from eating almonds?

Because almonds are filling and can help prevent unhealthy snacking, they don’t cause weight gain unless you eat too many ��?just like any other food. In fact, a 2003 article in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders states that an almond-enriched, low-calorie diet high in monounsaturated fats can help overweight people lose more weight than a low-calorie diet high in complex carbohydrates. After six months, those on the almond diet had a 62% greater reduction in their weight and body mass index, a 50% greater reduction in waist circumference, and a 56% greater reduction in body fat than those on the low-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet.

And remember that fat is an essential part of a healthy diet! Aside from satisfying your hunger, fat helps your body make hormones, gives you long-lasting energy, contributes to the formation of your brain and nervous system, creates cell membranes, carries vitamins throughout your body, and regulates body temperature. Just make sure you're eating mostly "good fat" (which is found in abundance in almonds).

From: [http://www.grainfreegourmet.com/faqs.html].