"Almonds For A Healthy Heart"

Almonds contain several phytochemicals including beta-sisterol stigmasterol and campesterol which is thought to contribute to a healthy heart. A handful of almonds a day helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering low density lipoproteins (LDL), or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol by as much as ten percent.

Recent research associates inclusion of almonds in the diet with elevating the blood levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) the ‘good’ cholesterol (‘good’ because HDL escorts LDL to the liver where it is broken down and excreted), and of lowering the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL), or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol (‘bad’ because it clogs your arteries).

Almonds are rich source of folic acid; folic acid reduces the levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid that can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Ongoing research hypothesizes that almonds may have a prebiotic effect that can provide benefits supportive of the GI tract in maintaining immunity and overall well-being. The human gut or gastrointestinal tract (GI) plays a key role in promoting overall health, with approximately 80% of immunity starting there. It’s also where prebiotics come into play. Prebiotics are non-digestible food substances that act as food for “good” bacteria in the GI tract as the human body constantly tries to keep a perfect balance. And while more research is needed to prove the prebiotic effect of almonds, this is just one more reason to introduce them into your diet. Because when your body functions better so do you.

Their high monounsaturated fat content, a key fat found in many Mediterranean diets, gives them much greater benefits than simply being cholesterol-lowering.

Nearly every research study shows those who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet not only have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer, they also live longer.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole grains, root and green vegetables, daily intake of fruit, fish, poultry, olive oil, and raw nuts and seeds, along with little ingestion of red meat and not much use of butter and cream.

One of it’s heart protection secrets is in it’s healthy balance of Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty, cold water fish, flaxseeds, and chia seeds), Omega-6 fatty acids (found in raw almonds, raw walnuts, and raw seeds, and Omega-9 fatty acids (found in extra virgin olive oil, olives, avocados, raw seeds and raw almonds).

As almonds are high in protein (6 grams per one ounce), and contain virtually no carbohydrates, they are ideal for diabetics, pre-diabetics or anyone with blood sugar issues.

Almonds also contain more alkaline forming minerals than acid forming minerals, which makes them a rare protein-rich, bone protecting, alkalizing food.

Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, (one ounce — 28 grams — of almonds provides about 7.4 grams of alpha-tocopherol vitamin E, 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance). Of all the antioxidants, vitamin E not only reduces

low density lipoproteins (LDL), but also increases high density lipoproteins (HDL), and it increases the breakdown of fibrin, a clot-forming protein.

Raw, whole almonds (with skins) provide the most heart healthy benefits. The flavonoids found in their skins team up with the vitamin E found in their meat to more than double the antioxidant punch. Twenty potent antioxidant flavonoids were identified in almond skins in studies, some of which are well known as major contributors to the health benefits derived from other foods, such as the catechins found in green tea, and naringenin, which is found in grapefruit.

Emerging research demonstrates that the combination of dietary fiber along with the protein in almonds contributes to overall satiety and therefore may play a role in controlling caloric intake. Most protein sources do not provide dietary fiber such as is found in almonds. Cheese and eggs, for example, are good sources of protein but do not supply dietary fiber.

Warning: If you suffer with cold sores (HSV Type 1) or genital herpes (HSV Type 2) you should be aware that Lysine has been found to be active against the herpes virus in vitro, due to its ability to inhibit the metabolism of arginine, an amino acid required by the herpes virus for replication. Arginine is in essence the food source for the virus, without it it cannot grow, replicate or cause symptoms. Increasing the availability of Lysine inhibits the utilization of Arginine and slows virus replication. Arginine levels have an effect on results as well, so if you want to suppress herpes virus growth with Lysine supplements, it may be necessary to restrict Arginine (i.e. almonds, walnuts, and other nuts) in the diet as well to keep the lysine to arginine ration in a favorable range.