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WALNUTS, CHOLESTEROL, LDL & TRIGLYCERIDES

Walnuts are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and ellagic acid.   Previous research has shown that the regular consumption of walnuts appears to improve cardiovascular function following high-fat meals. In diabetics, who face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, walnuts also appear to improve cardiovascular function.

A newly published prospective, randomized clinical research trial, which appears in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, evaluated the effects of a walnut-supplemented diet on 87 adults with normal-to-high cholesterol levels in their blood. This study used a “crossover” approach, in which all of the patient volunteers received walnut supplements for 6 months, and were then switched to a walnut-free diet for another 6 months. During this 12-month study, blood tests were performed at the beginning of the study, and then at 4, 6, 10 and 12 months into the study. Because of the crossover design of this study, the researchers were able to directly compare the effects of walnut supplementation on body weight, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the “bad cholesterol”), HDL cholesterol (the “good cholesterol”), and fatty acids (triglycerides). (Together, these compounds are referred to as “lipids.”)

As has been observed in previous clinical studies of shorter duration, this study found that a 6-month period of walnut supplementation resulted in significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. LDL levels were also reduced, although this finding just barely failed to reach statistical significance. Importantly, these favorable changes in blood lipid levels were found to be more pronounced in patients with elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.  (I should note that significant reductions in LDL blood levels have been observed in response to adding walnuts to the diet of patients with elevated LDL levels, in other studies.)

While statins, and other lipid-lowering drugs, have revolutionized the management of elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (and death due to cardiovascular disease), not all patients with hyperlipidemia can tolerate these drugs. Moreover, as with all medications, these lipid-lowering drugs are not equally effective in all patients, and many patients with hyperlipidemia will continue to have elevated LDL cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels despite taking lipid-lowering drugs.

Studies such as this one suggest that the addition of walnuts to one’s diet may be a useful adjunct in lowering elevated LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (As always, I encourage everyone to check with their doctor before making any significant alterations in their diet, especially if you have one or more chronic illnesses.)

For a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of the role of nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, ellagic acid, and other dietary modifications, as part of a cancer prevention lifestyle, look for the publication of my new book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” in the spring of this year.

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I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 110,000 new and returning readers who visit our premier global health information website each and every month. As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try to personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.

Disclaimer:  As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity

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Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author

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For a somewhat lighter perspective on Dr. Wascher, please click on the following YouTube link:

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(Anticipated Publication Date:  March 2010)

(Click above image for TV36 interview of Dr. Wascher)

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rwascher@doctorwascher.net

Dr. Wascher’s Biography

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Copyright 2007 – 2010

Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

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Dr. Wascher’s Archives:

2-28-2010:   Soy Isoflavones & Recurrent Prostate Cancer

2-21-2010:   Testosterone Supplements in Frail Elderly Men

2-14-2010:   Pancreatic Cancer Risk, Sodas & Juice

2-7-2010:    Vitamin D, Cardiovascular Disease & Death

1-31-2010:   Concord Grape Juice Improves Memory

1-24-2010:   Mozart, Music, Babies & Health

1-17-2010:   Breast Cancer, Physical Therapy & Lymphedema

1-10-2010:   Prevention of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) after Surgery

1-3-2010:     Ginkgo Biloba, Memory & Cognitive Health

12-20-2009: CT Scans & Cancer Risk

12-13-2009: Soy Isoflavones Decrease Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk

12-6-2009:   Salt (Sodium) Intake, Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease

11-29-2009: Exercise & Prostate Cancer Risk

11-22-2009: Genistein (Soy Isoflavone) & Prostate Cancer

11-15-2009: Breast Cancer Treatment & Chronic Pain

1-8-2009:     Vitamin D & Breast Cancer Risk

11-1-2009:  Exercise & Prostate Cancer Risk

10-25-2009: HPV Virus & Risk of Breast Cancer

10-18-2009: Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome (Symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery)

10-11-2009: Vitamin D & Falls in the Elderly

10-4-2009:   Surgery, NSQIP, Complications & Death

9-27-2009    Stress, Heart Disease, Exercise & Death

9-20-2009:   Vitamin D & Colorectal Cancer Survival

9-13-2009:   H1N1 Swine Flu Update

9-7-2009:     Green Tea, Aging & Lifespan

8-30-2009:   Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diet & Fiber

8-23-2009:  Update on Prostate Cancer and Cryotherapy

8-16-2009:   Exercise Improves Lymphedema Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors

8-9-2009:   Breast Cancer Recurrence, Death & Vitamin D

8-2-2009:   Honesty, Dishonesty & Brain Function

7-26-2009:   Coronary Artery CT Scans & Cancer Risk

7-19-2009:   Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Ovarian Cancer

7-12-2009:   Breast Cancer & Metformin (Glucophage)

7-5-2009:    Prostate Cancer & Green Tea

6-28-2009:   Air Pollution & the Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)

6-21-2009:   Red Yeast Rice, Statins & Cholesterol

6-14-2009:   Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant & Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

6-7-2009:    Diet, Soy & Breast Cancer Risk

5-31-2009:   Diet and Prostate Cancer Risk

5-24-2009:   Diabetes, Glucose Control & Death

5-17-2009:   Drug Company Marketing & Physician Prescribing Bias

5-10-2009:   Hemorrhoids & Surgery

5-3-2009:     Statin Drugs & Blood Clots (Thromboembolism)

4-26-2009:   Are We Really Losing the War on Cancer?

4-19-2009:    Exercise in Middle Age & Risk of Death

4-12-2009:   Can Chronic Stress Harm Your Heart?

4-5-2009:     Does PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer Save Lives?

3-22-2009:   CABG Surgery vs. PCI in Diabetics with Coronary Artery Disease; Sweetened Beverages and Coronary Artery Disease

3-15-2009:   Depression, Stress, Anger & Heart Disease

3-8-2009:    Coronary Artery Disease: CABG vs. Stents?; Swimming Lessons & Drowning Risk in Children

3-1-2009:    Aspirin & Colorectal Cancer Prevention; Fish Oil & Respiratory Infections in Children

2-22-2009: Health Differences Between Americans & Europeans; Lycopene & Prostate Cancer

2-15-2009: Statin Drugs & Death Rates; Physical Activity, Breast Cancer & Sex Hormones

2-8-2009:   Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Breast Cancer; Stool DNA Testing & Cancer of the Colon & Rectum

2-1-2009:   Obesity and the Complications of Diverticulosis (Diverticulitis & Bleeding); Obesity, Weight Loss & Urinary Incontinence

1-25-2009: Prostate Cancer, Fatigue & Exercise; Does your Surgeon “Warm-up” Before Surgery?

1-18-2009: Cancer and Vitamins; Teenagers, MySpace and Risky Behaviors

1-11-2009: Exercise Reverses Some Effects of Fatty Meals; Vitamin C and Blood Pressure

1-4-2009:   Secondhand Smoke & Heart Attack Risk; Poor Physical Fitness During Childhood & Heart Disease Risk During Adulthood

12-28-2008: Stress & Your Risk of Heart Attack; Vitamin D & the Prevention of Colon & Rectal Polyps

12-21-2008: Breast Cancer Incidence & Hormone Replacement Therapy; Circumcision & the Risk of HPV & HIV Infection

12-14-2008: Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Selenium Do Not Prevent Cancer; Postscript: A Possible Cure for Down’s Syndrome

12-7-2008:   Generic vs. Brand-Name Drugs, Stress & Breast Cancer Survival

11-30-2008: A Possible Cure for Down’s Syndrome?; Smoking & Cognitive Decline; Calcium & Vitamin D & Breast Cancer Risk

11-23-2008:  Breast Cancer & Fish Oil; Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment; Vasectomy & Prostate Cancer Risk

11-16-2008:  Vitamin E & Vitamin C: No Impact on Cardiovascular Disease Risk; Does Lack of Sleep Increase Stroke & Heart Attack Risk in Hypertensive Patients?

11-9-2008:    Statins Cut Heart Attack Risk Even with Normal Cholesterol Levels; Statins & PSA Level

11-2-2008:    Radiation Treatment of Prostate Cancer & Second Cancers; Sexual Content on TV & Teen Pregnancy Risk

10-26-2008:  Smoking & Quality of Life

10-19-2008:  Agent Orange & Prostate Cancer

10-12-2008:  Pomegranate Juice & Prostate Cancer

10-5-2008:   Central Obesity & Dementia; Diet, Vitamin D, Calcium, & Colon Cancer

9-28-2008:   Publication & Citation Bias in Favor of Industry-Funded Research?

9-21-2008:   Does Tylenol® (Acetaminophen) Cause Asthma?

9-14-208:    Arthroscopic Knee Surgery- No Better than Placebo?; A Healthy Lifestyle Prevents Stroke

8-23-2008:  Alcohol Abuse Before & After Military Deployment; Running & Age; Running & Your Testicles

8-12-2008:  Green Tea & Diabetes; Breastfeeding & Adult Cholesterol Levels; Fish Oil & Senile Macular Degeneration

8-3-2008:   Exercise & Weight Loss; Green Tea, Folic Acid & Breast Cancer Risk; Foreign Language Interpreters & ICU Patients

7-26-2008:  Viagra & Sexual Function in Women; Patient-Reported Adverse Hospital Events; Curcumin & Pancreatic Cancer

7-13-2008:  Erectile Dysfunction & Frequency of Sex; Muscle Strength & Mortality in Men; Cryoablation for Prostate Cancer

7-6-2008:  Sleep, Melatonin & Breast Cancer Risk; Mediterranean Diet & Cancer Risk; New Treatment for Varicose Veins

6-29-2008:  Bone Marrow Stem Cells & Liver Failure; Vitamin D & Colorectal Cancer Survival; Green Tea & Colorectal Cancer

6-22-2008:  Obesity, Lifestyle & Heart Disease; Effects of Lifestyle & Nutrition on Prostate Cancer; Ginkgo Biloba, Ulcerative Colitis & Colorectal Cancer

6-15-2008:  Preventable Deaths after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery; Green Tea & Colorectal Cancer; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & St. John’s Wort

6-8-2008:  Vitamin D & Prostate Cancer Risk; Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Kidney (Renal) Cancer; Antisense Telomerase & Cancer

6-2-2008:  Acute Coronary Syndrome- Do You Know the Symptoms?; Green Tea & Lung Cancer; Episiotomy & Subsequent Deliveries- An Unkind Cut

5-25-2008:  Early Childhood Screening Predicts Later Behavioral Problems; Psychiatric Disorders Among Parents of Autistic Children; Social & Psychiatric Profiles of Young Adults Born Prematurely

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5-11-2008:  Smoking Cessation & Risk of Death; Childhood Traumas & Adult Suicide Risk; “White Coat Hypertension” & Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

5-4-2008:  Super-Size Me: Fast Food’s Effects on Your Liver; Exercise, Weight & Coronary Artery Disease; Contamination of Surgical Instruments in the Operating Room

4-27-2008:  Stents vs. Bypass Surgery for Coronary Artery Disease; The “DASH” Hypertension Diet & Cardiovascular Disease Prevention; Testosterone Therapy for Women with Decreased Sexual Desire & Function

4-20-2008:  BRCA Breast Cancer Mutations & MRI Scans; Bladder Cancer Prevention with Broccoli?; Diabetes: Risk of Death Due to Heart Attack & Stroke

4-13-2008:  Breast Cancer Recurrence & Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT); Carotid Artery Disease: Surgery vs. Stents?; Statin Drugs & Cancer Prevention

4-6-2008:  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Pap Smear Results & Cervical Cancer; Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection & Oral Cancer; Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & the Risk of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)

3-30-2008:  Abdominal Obesity & the Risk of Death in Women; Folic Acid Pretreatment & Heart Attacks; Pancreatic Cancer Regression after Injections of Bacteria

3-23-2008:  Age of Transfused Blood & Risk of Complications after Surgery; Obesity, Blood Pressure & Heart Size in Children

3-16-2008:  Benefits of a Full Drug Coverage Plan for Medicare Patients?; Parent-Teen Conversations about Sex; Soy (Genistein) & Prostate Cancer

3-9-2008:  Flat Colorectal Adenomas & Cancer; Health Risks after Stopping Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT); Television, Children & Obesity

3-2-2008:  Medication & Risk of Death After Heart Attack; Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Mammogram Results; Selenium: Cancer, Heart Disease & Death

2-23-2008:  Universal Healthcare Insurance Study; Glucosamine & Arthritis

2-17-2008:  Exceptional Longevity in Men; Testosterone & Risk of Prostate Cancer; Smoking & Pre-malignant Colorectal Polyps

2-10-2008:  Thrombus Aspiration from Coronary Arteries; Intensive Management of Diabetes & Death; Possible Cure for  Down’s Syndrome?

2-3-2008:  Vitamin D & Cardiovascular Health; Vitamin D & Breast Cancer; Green Tea & Colorectal Cancer

1-27-2008:  Colorectal Cancer, Esophageal Cancer & Pancreatic Cancer: Update from the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

1-20-2008:  Testosterone Levels & Risk of Fractures in Elderly Men; Air Pollution & DNA Damage in Sperm; Statins & Trauma Survival in the Elderly

1-12-2008:  Statins, Diabetes & Stroke and Obesity; GERD & Esophageal Cancer

1-7-2008:  Testosterone Supplements in Elderly Men; Colorectal Cancer– Reasons for Poor Compliance with Screening Recommendations

12-31-2007:  Minority Women, Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer; Does Health Insurance Improve Health?

12-23-2007:  Is Coffee Safe After a Heart Attack?; Impact of Divorce on the Environment; Hypertension & the Risk of Dementia; Emotional Vitality & the Risk of Heart Disease

12-16-2007:   Honey vs. Dextromethorphan vs. No Treatment for Kids with Night-Time Cough, Acupuncture & Hot Flashes in Women with Breast Cancer, Physical Activity & the Risk of Death, Mediterranean Diet & Mortality

12-11-2007:  Bias in Medical Research; Carbon Nanotubes & Radiofrequency: A New Weapon Against Cancer?; Childhood Obesity & Risk of Adult Heart Disease

12-2-2007:  Obesity & Risk of Cancer; Testosterone Level & Risk of Death; Drug Company Funding of Research & Results; Smoking & the Risk of Colon & Rectal Cancer

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