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what do almonds have that inhibits cholesterol in humans

Almond    eastchester ny 10709

I understand that consuming almonds is good to lower cholesterol. Is this true? If so why and how.


Posted by: james mercado (1 point) james mercado
Posted: August 24, 2014




Answers

2
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At the bottom is an abstract of a recent review by Berryman et al 2011. It reviews the sciences and suggests that these nuts, and others, do lower cholesterol.
It appears from the last line that the mechanism (i.e. how) this happens is not understood.

One suggestion is that there is a vasodilatory
effect via the arginine-nitric oxide pathway (see page 15 and 16 of this open access book http://content.schweitzer-online.de/s...)

In a rat study there was convincing a decline in cholesterol with Almond oil and this was due to almond
oil acting as an antioxidant that ameliorates oxidative stress and revealed that it is efficiently improves endothelial function and protects against the development of atherosclerosis in artificially induced diabetic rats. http://japsonline.com/admin/php/uploa...


Berryman et al 2011 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10...
"Diet plays a seminal role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Consumption of tree nuts has been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a primary target for coronary disease prevention, by 3–19%. Almonds have been found to have a consistent LDL-C-lowering effect in healthy individuals, and in individuals with high cholesterol and diabetes, in both controlled and free-living settings. Almonds are low in saturated fatty acids, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and contain fiber, phytosterols, and plant protein. Other cardioprotective nutrients unique to almonds include α-tocopherol, arginine, magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium, and potassium. Mechanisms responsible for the LDL-C reduction observed with almond consumption are likely associated with the nutrients almonds provide. Biologically active by nature, these nutrients target primary mechanistic routes of LDL-C reduction, including decreased (re)absorption of cholesterol and bile acid, increased bile acid and cholesterol excretion, and increased LDL-C receptor activity. The nutrients present in almonds may regulate enzymes involved in de novo cholesterol synthesis and bile acid production. Research is needed to understand all mechanisms by which almonds reduce cardiovascular disease risk."


Posted by: David Hughes (66 points) David Hughes
Posted: August 25, 2014




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