[PHNUTR-L] New Study Underscores Value of Nutrient-Dense Walnuts in Weight Management

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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New Study Underscores Value of Nutrient-Dense Walnuts in Weight Management

Thursday December 15, 6:17 pm ET
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051215/sfth076.html?.v=33


LOMA LINDA, Calif., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to weight 
management, the powerful health benefits of walnuts cannot be 
outweighed. According to experts, eating a few walnuts (4-6 walnut 
halves) before meals decreases levels of hunger and may cause people to 
eat less at meals.

"Walnuts help alleviate hunger and are naturally nutrient-dense, meaning 
you consume many essential nutrients for a relatively small percentage 
of daily calories," said Joan Sabate, MD, MPH, DrPH, chair and professor 
of nutrition, department of nutrition, Loma Linda University School of 
Public Health.

Based on new Loma Linda University research published in the November 
issue of the British Journal of Nutrition, Dr. Sabate explains, "If 
people substitute walnuts for other calories, then eating walnuts will 
not lead to weight gain, and may lead to improvements in other 
indicators of health, such as a decrease in LDL cholesterol."

In addition to aiding with satiety, walnuts provide essential nutrients 
including protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and 
heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It is the synergy of these 
ingredients that make walnuts unique among tree nuts.

The randomized cross-over field trial included two six-month diet 
periods, a control diet and a walnut-supplemented diet, with ninety 
participants (50 females; 40 males) aged 30-72 years.

During the walnut phase, study participants were simply asked to eat 
1-1.5 ounces of walnuts each day. The average weight gain during the 
walnut phase was insignificant at only 0.4 kg (less than 1 pound) over 
six months.

Co-investigators in the study included Zaida Cordero-MacIntyre, Gina 
Siapco, Setareh Toabian and Ella Haddad.

In 1993 clinical trials, Loma Linda University was the first to find 
that walnuts in a controlled diet reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol and 
heart disease risk significantly more than the Step 1 diet that was then 
recommended by the American Heart Association. Subsequent studies 
worldwide have consistently shown that walnut consumption is associated 
with reduced risk of CVD.

About Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University, a health sciences educational institution, 
located in Southern California, is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church. The School of Public Health's Department of Nutrition exhibits a 
long tradition of vegetarian nutrition research dating back to the 
1930s. Currently research is focused on the health benefits of plant foods.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
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