Walnuts protect against saturated fat.A clinical study published in October in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949 to educate, research and influence health care public policy. The president for the 2006–2007 year is Steven E. Nissen. [1] The organization has 39 chapters in the U.S. suggests that walnuts, rich in polyunsaturated fats Polyunsaturated fats A non-animal oil or fatty acid rich in unsaturated chemical bonds not associated with the formation of cholesterol in the blood. Mentioned in: Cholesterol, High , may protect the body's arteries from the harm associated with eating a meal high in saturated fat saturated fat, any solid fat that is an ester of glycerol and a saturated fatty acid. The molecules of a saturated fat have only single bonds between carbon atoms; if double bonds are present in the fatty acid portion of the molecule, the fat is said to be . Surprisingly, walnuts outperformed olive oil in this capacity (though olive oil is similarly effective, and the highly-touted Mediterranean diet Mediterranean diet Nutrition A diet that differs by country, characterized by ↑ consumption of olive oil, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, ↓ red meat. See Diet, Mediterranean diet pyramid. Cf Affluent diet. in fact utilizes both olive oil and walnuts in abundance). Consumption of a meal high in saturated fat typically causes an inflammatory response in the body that negatively impacts the ability of the arteries to carry necessary blood to tissue and organs and promotes the formation of artery clogging plaque. This response was limited by adding walnuts to such a meal. Walnuts, unlike other nuts, contain significant amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential plant-based omega-3. They also provide antioxidants Antioxidants Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells. Mentioned in: Aging, Nutritional Supplements antioxidants, n. and L-arginine, components identified in past studies as potential nutrients that improve artery function. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] (J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 2006, Vol. 48, No. 8, pp. 1666-1671) |
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