Go Nuts for Heart Health

Eating a daily handful of nuts helps to lower bad cholesterol. Researchers have determined that eating about 2 and a half ounces of nuts per day can lead to declines in bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and better ratios of total cholesterol to good cholesterol. The report found that different types of nuts have similar effects on blood lipids.

"Nuts are rich in unsaturated fats, and that is a main driver in lowering cholesterol," according to Joan Sabate, MD, lead author of the report. They are the richest source of protein in the plant kingdom, and they contain fiber and phytosterols, wich compete with cholesterol to be absorbed." --New York Times, May 17, 2010.

Suzanne

Nuts and Seeds: Nature's Multivitamins

There's a lot of talk about what vegans can or can't get from their diet, but I'm convinced we can find any needed nutrient from vegan sources. The outstanding nutritional properties of Nuts and seeds are evidence for why we don't need fish, milk, or any other animal-derived food.

Nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine, pistachio, and walnuts are the most significant for vegan health with high levels of fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Substances like arginine, boron, manganese, and tryptophan found in nuts convince me they're nature's multivitamin.

Heart Disease

Several scientific studies have shown nuts lower LDL cholesterol which is detrimental to heart health. For treating heart-related problems, replace foods high in saturated fats with the mono- and poly-unsaturated fats of nuts. An Adventist health study showed a 51% decrease in heart attacks for individuals who ate nuts over four times a week.

Fish and Pregnant Mothers

Pregnant mothers need Omega-3 for efficiently producing breastmilk but it's unfortunate they're often told to eat fish. While fish is high in Omega-3, it's also often laced with mercury which deteriorates brain matter and causes birth defects.

The effects of animal cruelty are very real as well. Fish are adapted to certain conditions of their habitat, like pressure. When the creatures are brought up from deep water, decompression sometimes occurs causing eyes to pop out of their sockets. Fish and other sea creatures do have a central nervous system. This means fish are sentient and they do feel pain.

Instead, pregnant mothers can eat flax seed, which is high in Omega-3 and Alpha Linoleic Acid. Flax seed can also be used as an egg replacer when ground up.

Seeds

Speaking of seeds, incorporating commons seeds in the diet provides a significant source of iron, Vitamin E, and zinc. Seeds are naturally high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

Practical Benefits

Sometimes, attempts to go vegan bust for the reason of convenience. Newly vegans end up breaking because they get a craving for the fast food across the street or left over cheese pizza in the fridge. Nuts and seeds, especially in granola make a great snack food. They also don't require any preparation or special storing and almost never perish. New vegans should carry nuts, seeds, and honey free granola with them on the go and have it available in the kitchen or on the coffee table.

Allergies

Even if you have allergies to nuts, this doesn't mean you're allergic to the nutrients you need from nuts. Check with your doctor first, but you may still be able to use nut-derived supplements in pill or powdered form. --Adam Kochanowicz, Omaha Vegan Examiner, at examiner.com

Suzanne

Eat Almonds and Walnuts to Promote Heart Health and Prevent Diabetes

by John Phillip, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) 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 you will 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 and wheat based foods, and you must eliminate sugar as this type of diet fuels atherogenic blood fats and heart disease. Use nuts as a compliment to your naturally 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.

Article References:
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abs...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nu...
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content...

Suzanne

Almonds can save your heart and reduce obesity

by Michelle Bosmier

(NaturalNews) Want your heart to sing and your body to lose inches? Grab a handful of raw, un-toasted almonds. Recent studies have proven that only a handful of these sweet little nuts go a long way in tackling obesity, diabetes, and complications of the heart.

During the Experimental Biology Conference held in 2005, researchers deducted that the fibers found in almonds in fact block the body's absorption of fats, as well as suppress appetite in the process - all of which help individuals maintain control over their body weight, cholesterol levels, and general heart-health.

While all nuts are generally laden with calorie-rich essential fats, research presenter Dr. Peter Ellis from King's College in London suggested that "the fiber structure of almonds may block some of the fat from being absorbed, thereby reducing the calories available from almonds". Because of this fibrous presence, researchers also claim that the addition of as little as two servings of almonds a day will also help prevent the additional absorption of fats from other foods consumed throughout the day - thereby reducing general calorie consumption. "It is possible", Ellis continues, "that the fiber in almonds is also affecting carbohydrate absorption, which may have implications for diabetes and heart disease."

The presence of proteins in almonds also greatly contributes to an overall feeling of satiety. A handful of almonds, 23 to be exact, contains about 160 calories. A study published in the 2006 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) found that women, who ate this small serving of almonds, had significantly higher levels of a particular hormone called cholecystokinin, released only when eating fat-containing foods. This hormone immediately triggers a feeling of fullness and satisfaction.

Not only that, but this unbelievable nut was found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, as well as C-reactive protein, a primary factor contributing to heart disease and inflammation. Dr. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto has also discovered in his research that consumption of raw almonds has the same effect on inflammation of the heart as a commonly prescribed drug. Studies also seem to suggest that almonds have the same effect on cholesterol levels as statin drugs - without the side effects. What's more is that there is still being research made into how consumption of almonds may also reduce, or at least prevent, the sudden increase of insulin, making almonds particularly friendly for diabetics.

All studies seem to deduce that daily portions of almonds in their raw state have a very positive effect on general health. The calories in this nutrient-laden nut are a small issue in comparison to the various health benefits that have been discovered, and that are still under research.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20...
http://rawfoodhealthwatch.com/raw-v...
http://101foodsthatcouldsaveyourlif...

Suzanne

Raw nuts lower elevated blood sugar levels and high blood pressure to fight metabolic syndrome

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Metabolic syndrome is a well studied and documented group of biomarkers and physical observations that are known to preclude many chronic and potentially life-threatening diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers reporting in the Journal of Proteome Research have uncovered a critical link between eating nuts and higher levels of serotonin in the bodies of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), who are at high risk for heart disease.

Serotonin is a chemical signaling compound found in the brain that helps transmit nerve signals and can decrease feelings of hunger, while boosting spirits and helping people feel happier. The findings indicate that just one ounce of nuts eaten daily is enough to produce the health-promoting benefits.

The explosion of the obesity epidemic around the world is leading to an exponential rise in metabolic syndrome symptoms including excess abdominal fat, high blood sugar, high blood pressure and lipid abnormalities. As a result, cases of Type II diabetes and heart disease are increasing in record numbers. Metabolic syndrome is largely the result of excessive abdominal fat stores that result from a diet filled with high calories from processed and fried foods. As fat storage cells (adipose tissue) begin to increase in number and swell beyond capacity, they prompt the release of a torrent of chemical messengers that promote systemic inflammation and disease.


Nut Consumption Increases Serotonin Levels to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome and Related Symptoms

Researchers from the Biomarkers & NutriMetabolomics Research Group of the University of Barcelona in Spain studied the biochemical effects of nut consumption on metabolic syndrome and human health. They put 22 patients with diagnosed metabolic syndrome on a nut-enriched diet for 12 weeks and compared them to another group of 20 patients, who were told to avoid nuts. The scientists analyzed the full spectrum of compounds excreted in the patients' urine and found evidence of several healthful changes.

Lead study author, Dr. Cristina Andres-Lacueva commented: "Dietary changes may help patients shed the excess weight and become healthier... the regular consumption of nuts, which are jam-packed with healthful nutrients, such as healthy fats (unsaturated fatty acids) and antioxidants (polyphenols) have been recommended to fight the metabolic abnormalities associated with MetS." Researchers determined for the first time that nut consumption boosted serotonin levels to promote satiety and happiness.

Nutrition scientists now understand that the fats provided with regular nut consumption correlate closely to improved human health. In the past, nuts have been branded with a high-fat stigma and avoided by many health-minded people. Fortunately we now have solid evidence to show nuts are a super food that can help prevent chronic disease including MetS. The study authors concluded that one ounce of nuts eaten daily "reduced levels of substances in the body associated with inflammation and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome." Grab a handful of tasty nuts to help ward off metabolic syndrome and chronic illness.

Sources for this article include:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021...

Suzanne

Walnuts Cut Cancer Risk

In a study with mice, researchers compared the effects of a typical diet with one that included walnuts across the lifespan (through the mother from conception through weaning, and then directly by diet). The amount of walnuts used in the study would be equivalent to about 2 ounces per day for humans.

The mice that consumed walnuts developed breast cancer at less than half the rate of those on the typical diet. In addition, the number of tumors and their sizes were significantly smaller in the walnut-eating mice. Walnuts are good sources of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. --Nutr. Cancer, 7-20-11.

Suzanne

Would walnut oil be better?

If you're talking about taking a spoonful of walnut oil, any time you concentrate things, you cause problems. It's best to eat walnuts in as much their natural form as possible.

If you're talking about cooking with walnut oil, coconut oil is one of the few oils which doesn't cause problems when heated to high temperatures. That's why fried walnuts would not be good and neither cooking with walnut oil. The heat would change it into a bad form. Which you would need to consider how the oil was extracted from the walnut - cold press, or hot.

Eat walnuts the way squirrels do. Crack each one, eat them, do the next. You won't eat too many and it will be in as natural form as possible! Of course, paying someone else to crack them for you and then limiting yourself to just a handful may be more convenient....

Do you know why Daryl asked the question? I don't either, but I can think of some possibilities which would legitimize his question, including some of the following: allergy to the walnuts themselves (most people are not sufficiently sensitive to oils to have an allergic response); fear of risking prostate cancer by getting too many purines in the diet (which would be unfounded in this case, as walnuts may not be so high in purines, but some people have thought they were); and perhaps Daryl has other reasons for asking beyond these.



I tend to agree with you on this part. The only reason coconut oil does not become a trans-fat when heated is that it is already a nearly fully saturated fat, so there are no carbon-carbon double bonds in the molecule which can slip around to another configuration. Coconut oil is basically the natural equivalent to Crisco (vegetable shortening). It is far better than Crisco in that it is at least a natural fat, and has a molecular size that the body knows how to handle without so much expensive processing in the liver. But it doesn't provide those in northern climates as much of what they need in terms of unsaturated fats. People in the hotter equatorial climates need less of the unsaturated fats and can do fine on the more saturated ones like coconut oil--which also happens to keep better in the hot climate. This is why coconuts grow where it's warm.

I like coconuts. Maybe that's why I live where it's warm.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Green, what are you talking about. Daryl was asking if walnut oil would be better than walnuts.

Eating Nuts Lowers Risk of Disease

A 30 year Harvard study of over 100,000 people shows those who ate nuts regularly were 20% less likely to die of cancer or heart disease.

They found that nut eaters were less likely to die of any cause during the 30 year study.

Indeed, nuts have long been called heart-healthy and the study is the largest ever done on whether eating them affect mortality.

Researchers tracked over 118,000 men and women and found that those who ate nuts roughly every day were 20% less likely to die during the study period than those who never ate nuts. Eating nuts less often also appeared to lower the death risk, in direct proportion to consumption.

The risk of dying of heart disease dropped 29% and the risk of dying of cancer fell 11% among those who had nut 7 or more times a week compared with those who never ate them.

The benefit were seen from peanuts as well a pistachios, almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts. The researchers did not look at how the nuts were prepared--oiled or salted, raw or roasted.

A bonus: Nut eaters stayed slimmer!

"There's a general perception that if you eat more nuts, you're going to get fat. Our result show the opposite," Dr. Ying Bao of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. She led the study, published in the Nov. 21, 2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The National Institutes of Health and the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation sponsored the study, but the nut group had no role in designing it or reporting the results.

Researcher do not know why nut may boost health. It could be that their unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients lower cholesterol and inflammation and reduce other problems, as earlier studies have shown.

Loma Linda University has long studied the health benefits of nuts. The school's Adventist Health Study which tracks Seventh-day Adventist in the United States and Canada, has found that eating nut lowers the risk of heart disease and helps people keep their weight down. Earlier Loma Linda research tied nut to healthier cholesterol and triglyceride level, and scientists there now are studying the link between walnut consumption and brain, eye and cognitive functions.

Compared with people who never ate nuts, the study found that those who had them les than once a week reduced their risk of death 7%; once a week, 11%; two to four time a week, 13%; and seven or more time a week, 20%.

"I'm very confident" the observations reflect a true benefit, Bao said. "We did so many analyses, every sophisticated one," to eliminate other possible explanations.

For example, they did separate analyses on smokers and non-smokers , heavy and light exercisers, and people with and without diabetes, and saw a consistent benefit from nuts.

At a heart association conference in Dallas this week, Penny Kris-Etheron, a Pennsylvania State University nutrition scientist, reviewed previous studies on this topic. "We do't know exactly what it is" about nuts that boost health or which ones are best, she said. "I tell people to eat mixed nuts." -- Riverside, California,Press-Enterprise, Nov. 21, 2013.

Suzanne

Reminds me that I must eat more nuts.

The power of nut butters - Their various health benefits and types

by Yanjun

(NaturalNews) Nuts are an incredibly rich source of nutrients and minerals and are easy to incorporate into your diet - provided that you do not suffer from any allergies. Not only are they easily available, but they are also fast-acting, and only a handful a day can produce significant changes in both physical and mental health. Nuts contain a number of proteins that can instantly boost metabolism, health and immunity. In fact, nuts do not even need to be consumed whole. Incorporating them into the diet as pastes, seeds or oils can also help provide their benefits.

Why should nut butters be used over nuts?

While nuts in their natural form are also an excellent form of nutrition, the fact is that they can be difficult to consume on a daily basis. By using spreads in the form of butters, they are easily added into your existing routine. Furthermore, when used a spread, all the rich nutrients, proteins and fibers can be benefited from in one condensed form. So, at the same time that you receive the nutritional benefits, the health benefits such as improved nerve function, balanced digestion, active hormone levels and increased cell resistance can also be received.

Will using excessive nut butters result in weight gain?

Although nuts are infamous for resulting in weight gain, the fact of the matter is that this is only a myth; nuts can also help boost weight loss by increasing metabolic activities. However, care must be taken to consume nut butter in its raw form, without the addition of oils, sugars or salt, as is generally done. Natural oils from the nuts should not be removed and, in fact, should be mixed in, as that is from where the butter gets not only its consistency but also its nutrients.

Which nut butter is right for me?

There are a number of different nut butters that can be used for nutritional benefit, depending on which benefit is most essential. Almond butter for example is ideal for diabetic patients, as it helps balance sugar levels and insulin. Butters can also be mixed to provide a greater boost of energy and nutrients.

Dealing with nut allergies

If one is allergic to nuts, that does not mean they cannot benefit from the same advantages. Seeds can often be used as successful substitutes: for example, sunflower seeds or tahini seeds. These seeds contain substantial mineral, nutrient, fiber and protein content, as well as being significant sources of energy.

All in all, nuts are an incredibly rich and diverse food. Their numerous benefits make them the ideal food to incorporate into your diet. They are highly delicious, and a little bit goes a long away. A few days of using nuts result in significant changes in health, both physically and mentally.

Sources:

http://www.healthline.com

http://vegnews.com

http://www.todaysdietitian.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

Maranathafoods.com have a 26 oz jar of ALL NATURAL ROASTED ALMOND BUTTER with nothing else added.

I have found this available in a store here in Iceland, which also flies in daily fresh fruits and vegetables from New York.

I should add that we usually prefer domestic produced vegetables. Some of it produced only a 20 minute drive from where we live. Using thermal heat it is produced all year. In this climate there are not many insects which curbs the use of insecticides.

These vegetable have by far the best taste and health I hope.

Here's a nutty fact: Eating more tree nuts lowers the risk of all-cause death by up to 20 percent

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) You may think that scientific validation of daily raw nut consumption lowering your risk of death from all causes by a whopping 20 percent would send a shock wave throughout the medical community and produce headlines on every major network TV channel and online information portal. Reports of this finding barely scratched the surface of the news bubble, though this important information could easily affect the lives of every man, woman and child around the globe and extend the natural lifespan of millions each year.

If nuts were classified as a grossly overpriced pharmaceutical, there would undoubtedly be a wave of television commercials, media news reports and a drug company sales representative in every physician's office in a matter of hours. Countless individuals will be denied details about this potentially life-extending food choice, because it is not a processed, refined or prepackaged menu item that manufacturers can manipulate for grossly obscene profits. In fact, processing nuts by roasting and flavoring with salt and other chemicals neutralizes the health benefits reported in this study.

A group of researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health have published the results of a study in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine that explains how people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than those who didn't consume nuts were. As an aside, regular nut-eaters were found to be more slender than those who didn't eat nuts, a finding that should alleviate the widespread worry that eating a lot of nuts will lead to excess weight gain.


Eating tree nuts daily resulted in a nearly 30 percent reduction in heart disease deaths

To conduct this research, scientists examined an immense cohort from two large, well documented, long-running studies including 76,464 women from the Nurses' Health Study conducted between 1980 and 2010, and the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study including data on 42,498 men from 1986 to 2010. Participants in the studies filled out detailed food questionnaires every two to four years. With each food questionnaire, participants were asked to estimate how often they consumed nuts in a serving size of one ounce.

Researchers found that individuals who ate a serving of tree nuts less than once a week had a 7 percent reduction in mortality (tree nuts included walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pecans, cashews, pistachios and pine nuts). Those consuming a serving once a week experienced an 11 percent reduction; two to four times per week, a 13 percent reduction; five to six times per week, a 15 percent reduction; and seven or more times a week, a 20 percent reduction in death rate.

Risk reductions were seen across a number of potentially fatal chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as the scientists attributed lower death rates to an improvement in cholesterol ratios and reductions in oxidative stress, inflammation, adiposity and insulin resistance. The lead study author, Dr. Charles Fuchs, concluded, "The most obvious benefit was a reduction of 29 percent in deaths from heart disease, the major killer of people in America. But we also saw a significant reduction, 11 percent, in the risk of dying from cancer."

Sources for this article include:

http://www.nejm.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

This bears repeating!

Tree nuts found to lower death rate by 20 percent

by Yanjun

(NaturalNews) A study by scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health has shown that those who consume nuts daily reduce the risk of death by 20 percent from any cause of death. For death caused by heart problems, eating nuts reduces the risk of death by 29 percent. It was also observed that eating nuts reduces deaths caused by cancer by 11 percent.

Importance of nuts

Nuts are a good source of protein which is important for body building and repairing worn out tissues. They also have minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are needed for strong bones and manufacturing red blood cells. Nuts also have unsaturated fats; fats provide energy to the body.

Nut consumption reduces the risk of diseases such as colon cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and gall stones. According to the study, those who ate nuts rarely smoked, and were often found exercising, eating fruits, and drank a lot of water. Therefore, a high consumption of nuts led to the reduction in cholesterol levels, as well as better stress and insulin resistance. The study also showed that people who ate nuts were slender. This ruled out the assumption that eating nuts can make you over weight, because of the fat some nuts contains.

Findings from the research

The researchers picked data from more than 70,000 women and 40,000 men who were on an ongoing observational study on their diet and lifestyle. From their observation, the more nuts people ate, the less likely they were to die. According to the study, people who ate nuts once a week had an 11 percent reduction in mortality rate. Those who ate nuts four or two times a week had a 13 percent reduction, five times a week had a 15 percent reduction, while those who ate nuts every day had a 20 percent reduction in death rate.

The study did not indicate any specific nut. The results were the same for both groundnuts and tree nuts. But the most recommended were peanuts, cashew nuts, macadamia, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts.

The study did not show how nuts reduce the risk of death. It was an observational study that proved that nuts reduce chronic diseases. From other studies it has been proven that nuts reduce the risk of heart diseases and colon cancer. The study also tried to emphasize the importance of eating nuts daily. It has been proven from other studies that daily nut consumption reduces heart diseases and the risk of colon cancer.

The studies above indeed have scientific evidence that nut consumption reduces the rate of death, and that people who eat nuts have a more positive lifestyle.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.upi.com

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefits_eating_nuts

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

About the author:
Which foods have anti-inflammatory properties?

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Amazing health benefits of pine nuts

Suzanne

I showed my doctor this article, and he is in full agreement with it. He insists, however, that at least two devotions a day are more important to maintain a good health. He is not a Seventh-day Adventist, but follows much of the Ministry of Healing.

If You Or a Loved One Is Taking Prozac, Consider Switching To Cashews Instead (Yes, Cashews!)

by J. D. Heyes

(NaturalNews) Mood- and mind-altering drugs that ostensibly "treat" depression are often just triggers for violent behavior, as we have seen repeatedly in the past. As documented by the website Psych Drug Shooters, the vast majority of mass murderers since the "Prozac boom" have been on these mood-altering, psychosis-inducing medications.

The good news is, there is a natural alternative for these dangerous psychotropic meds if you're trying to battle depression: cashew nuts.

Yes, that's right, a couple handfuls of cashews works like a prescription dose of Prozac, according to the Family Health Freedom Network, citing some of the latest research.

"Cashews are high in tryptophan, which the body turns into serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for mood regulation, healthy sleep and even sexual desire in the body," the site reported.

"Increasing your tryptophan intake by consuming whole, natural cashews sounds like an excellent alternative to prescription drugs any day. They also provide a host of other benefits to the body as well, from your cardiovascular health to your digestive system."

Health Tips Spot reported further that the cashew nut is also one of the world's healthiest foods, though only a small percentage of the natural medicines database is focused on cashew benefits research.

So healthy, too

Here are some of the other health benefits of cashews, which come primarily from Brazil and a few countries in Africa:

-- Cashews are stuffed with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and soluble dietary fiber, which helps to prevent serious disease processes like cancer.

-- They contain huge amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids – oleic and palmitoleic acids that benefit your cardiovascular system. In short, they belong to a group of foods providing essential fatty acids that can increase your levels of good cholesterol while simultaneously decreasing the bad cholesterol. Research has shown that the popular Mediterranean diet is based on monounsaturated fatty acids and helps your body stay protected against strokes and coronary artery diseases by supporting your blood lipid profile.

-- These nuts, which are delicious, also contain essential minerals like potassium, copper, zinc, selenium, iron and magnesium. Eating just a small handful daily gives your body the necessary daily requirement of minerals, while helping to stave off disease processes that are caused by mineral deficiencies. "Moreover," Health Tips Spot notes, "selenium is a crucial micronutrient and it functions as a co-factor for antioxidant enzymes, like Glutathione peroxides- one of the strongest antioxidants in our bodies. Additionally, copper also functions as a co-factor for other crucial enzymes like superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c-oxidase. Zinc, on the other hand, does the same with enzymes responsible for regulation of digestion, DNA synthesis, and gonadal function."

-- Cashews are also complete with essential vitamins, including pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin. Just 100 grams of cashew nuts will give you 30 percent of your required daily recommended intake of vitamin B6. Also, it should be noted that B6 can decrease your chance of developing other diseases and conditions.

'Behavior balance'

"Furthermore, niacin protects us from pellagra or dermatitis," Health Tips Spot reported. "Additionally, the abovementioned vitamins are needed for protein, fat, and carbohydrates metabolism at a cellular level."

And of course, there are also the anti-depressant qualities of cashews.

"Cashews are rich in tryptophan- a vital amino acid our bodies require, so it encourages proper child growth and development, behavior balance, mood regulation, improved sleep, and they can significantly decrease the levels of anxiety, stress, and depression," the site reported. "In only two handfuls of cashews, there are 2000 mg of tryptophan. Additionally, it has been proven that this compound is equally successful as the antidepressants. However, the good thing about cashews as a treatment for depression is the absence of any side effects that are usually caused by antidepressants."

Sources:

FHFN.org

PsychDrugShooters.com

NaturalNews.com

-Suzanne-

This is good news. I have always favored cashews as the most easily digestible, perhaps least allergenic, of the nuts, and have often wondered why Mrs. White claimed that the almond was the king of nuts. Maybe she did not know about cashews, because I just checked now and found she makes no mention of them.

Personally, I do far better on cashews than on almonds.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.