|
NEWS |
|
Scientists Make a Claim for Nuts Excerpt from October 2000 newsletter Patsy Flanigan
In September of this year, the Georgetown University Center for Food and Nutrition Policy in collaboration with the International Tree Nut Council, sponsored an all day "Dialogue" with nutrition scientists and government policy experts. "Making the Claim for Nuts" was the title of the event.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton of Pennsylvania State University. She set the scientific tone for the day as she discussed various epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Commenting that fat is important in a weight control diet, she stressed the benefits of unsaturated fats. Cholesterol lowering by diet alone, she said, is better than cholesterol lowering by medicine.
Dr. Paul A. Davis, University of California, Davis, spoke on "The Role of Nuts in Cancer". Although more research is needed, he indicated that arginine, found in most nuts seems to have a beneficial effect. Other advantages of nuts include their high protein content, fiber, vitamins and "good" fat. As research continues, he said, "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Fat is a risk factor for obesity, but high fat intake does not inevitably lead to obesity." He recommended adding whole almonds to the diet.
Director of the Department of Nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Kathy McManus, discussed the "Effects of a Moderate Fat Diet on Weight Control". In advocating a moderate fat diet, she said the body regulates carbohydrate intake, but not fat intake. Those on a moderate fat diet tend to stay on the diet longer as it is more satisfying.
Clinical Trials: The Role of Nuts on Heart Health was the subject of the talk by Dr Joan Sabaté of Loma Linda University. Most studies, he said, have been on almonds and walnuts, which is not to say that other nuts with a similar nutrition profile do not have beneficial properties as well. Pointing to his own study on walnuts, he stated that the walnut diet decreased cholesterol without reducing HDL. Not much data is yet available on the phytochemicals in nuts. We do know that arginine is high in nuts, but there may be other beneficial mechanisms in addition to the cholesterol lowering action of nuts.
Also from Loma Linda University, Dr. Gary Fraser, saw a decreased risk of heart disease in nut eaters, but said that there may be some other way in which nut eaters differ from the general population. He stated that nuts are the best natural source of Vitamin E, and natural sources are more beneficial that synthetic ones in ways that are not yet fully understood. Nuts contain high levels of magnesium and potassium, which may also play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease. Further discussion included finding ways of getting the word out to the public on the value of nuts without making claims on packages and in advertising, that require time-consuming reviews by regulatory agencies. |
