METABOLIC SYNDROME AND MIXED NUTS.

Metabolic refers to the body’s normal biochemical processes. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raises the risk of many serious health problems.

If you’ve been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome you’ll find the research information on walnuts, almonds and mixed nuts interesting and beneficial.

Researchers in Spain focused a study on patients with metabolic syndrome and reported their findings in the Journal of Proteome Research. The article states that one ounce of mixed nuts can boost serotonin percentages, increase heart health and raise energy levels.

The mixed nuts were raw and unpeeled almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. Unpeeled refers to having the brown husk intact. No sugar coated, honey roasted nuts made the helpful list.

22 people who had metabolic syndrome added mixed nuts to their diet for 12 weeks. Their serotonin levels were compared to 20 metabolic syndrome patients who avoided nuts during the twelve week period.

Serotonin is connected to glucose in the body, energy regulation, assists in decreasing hunger, increases feelings of well-being and content, contributes to relaxation and the ability to get a good night’s sleep. Deficiencies of serotonin can lead to depression and fear. Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan. High blood levels of tryptophan signal the brain to make serotonin.

The study also found that eating walnuts increased blood levels of a polyphenol called urolithins. Urolithins appear to be connected with reduction of inflammatory substances that contribute to heart health risk factors. Also, see following information on inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

Next time you have to urge to eat junk food, grab a handful of mixed nuts instead.

According to a study published in Diabetes Care, there’s a link between type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment.

Researchers studied the effects of diabetes on the brain over a five year period. According to the Diabetes Care article, memory loss, depression and other cognitive problems are directly connected to type 2 diabetes.

Two adhesion molecules called sVCAM and sJCAM were found to be the culprits. These two molecules cause brain inflammation. The inflammation and swelling affect blood vessels and cause brain tissue to die. The section of the brain where the tissue is most affected is in the area of the brain that controls language( speech), memory, decision making and the ability to complete complex tasks. Researchers found people with type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher rate of brain atrophy than those who don’t have the disease.

After age 65, the brain normally shrinks about one percent per year. The study found people in that age group with type 2 diabetes had a shrinkage rate of fifteen percent.

Food allergies can trigger increased blood sugar levels. If a food gives you an adverse reaction in other areas, depression, hyperactivity, skin rashes, anxiety, headaches, etc. you may find that same food can cause a rise in blood sugar levels. A food allergy can cause inflammation and a headache can be caused by inflammation of the brain tissue. Inflammation and swelling cut off blood flow to the brain tissues causing the headache and the brain tissue to die.

Personally, I’ve had food allergy issues that I found by keeping a log. I’ve found lectins in certain foods cause adverse reactions. A rash on both arms was caused by alum in commercial pickles. Home prepared pickles don’t cause problems. During the holidays, one item that affects me is very difficult to avoid. For me nutmeg causes extreme hyper-anxiety. If I ingest even a small amount of nutmeg, about the amount normally in one eggnog, I’ll wake up at night in a state of high anxiety.

We’re all different and what affects me may not bother you. We all need to be aware of our body and its reaction to foods we eat, which can be especially difficult during the holidays.