| Walnuts are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, | | | | statistical significance. Importantly, these favorable |
| including omega-3 fatty acids and ellagic acid. Previous | | | | changes in blood lipid levels were found to be more |
| research has shown that the regular consumption of | | | | pronounced in patients with elevated total cholesterol |
| walnuts appears to improve cardiovascular function | | | | and LDL cholesterol levels. I should note that |
| following high-fat meals. In diabetics, who face an | | | | significant reductions in LDL blood levels have been |
| increased risk of cardiovascular disease, walnuts also | | | | observed in response to adding walnuts to the diet |
| appear to improve cardiovascular function. | | | | of patients with elevated LDL levels, in other studies. |
| A newly published prospective, randomized clinical | | | | While statins, and other lipid-lowering drugs, have |
| research trial, which appears in the European Journal | | | | revolutionized the management of elevated |
| of Clinical Nutrition, evaluated the effects of a | | | | cholesterol and triglycerides, and have been shown to |
| walnut-supplemented diet on 87 adults with | | | | significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease |
| normal-to-high cholesterol levels in their blood. This | | | | (and death due to cardiovascular disease), not all |
| study used a "crossover" approach, in which all of the | | | | patients with hyperlipidemia can tolerate these drugs. |
| patient volunteers received walnut supplements for 6 | | | | Moreover, as with all medications, these lipid-lowering |
| months, and were then switched to a walnut-free | | | | drugs are not equally effective in all patients, and |
| diet for another 6 months. During this 12-month | | | | many patients with hyperlipidemia will continue to |
| study, blood tests were performed at the beginning | | | | have elevated LDL cholesterol and/or triglyceride |
| of the study, and then at 4, 6, 10 and 12 months into | | | | levels despite taking lipid-lowering drugs. |
| the study. Because of the crossover design of this | | | | Studies such as this one suggest that the addition of |
| study, the researchers were able to directly compare | | | | walnuts to one's diet may be a useful adjunct in |
| the effects of walnut supplementation on body | | | | lowering elevated LDL cholesterol and triglyceride |
| weight, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "bad | | | | levels. (As always, I encourage everyone to check |
| cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol (the "good cholesterol"), | | | | with their doctor before making any significant |
| and fatty acids (triglycerides). Together, these | | | | alterations in their diet, especially if you have one or |
| compounds are referred to as "lipids." | | | | more chronic illnesses.) |
| As has been observed in previous clinical studies of | | | | For a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of the |
| shorter duration, this study found that a 6-month | | | | role of nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, ellagic acid, and |
| period of walnut supplementation resulted in | | | | other dietary modifications, as part of a cancer |
| significant reductions in total cholesterol and | | | | prevention lifestyle, look for the publication of my |
| triglyceride levels. LDL levels were also reduced, | | | | new book, "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the |
| although this finding just barely failed to reach | | | | Human Race," in the spring of this year. |