(15-04-12) Raw nuts lower elevated blood sugar levels and high blood pressure to fight metabolic syndrome

by John Phillip
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(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/2011-11-benefits-nut-consumption-people...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102125348.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/acs-bon110211.php
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/pr200514h

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