NutEResearch: Nuts reduce risk of death from inflammatory disease

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risk of death from inflammatory disease

A new analysis of Australian data from the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) has found that those who increased their intake of nuts by as little as 1.4g/day reduced their risk of dying from chronic inflammation related diseases by nearly half (49%).[1] The study also found that women with the highest intakes of total omega 3 polyunsaturated fats had a 44% reduced risk of dying from inflammatory-related disease in the 15 year follow up (P=0.03).[1] Interestingly this same connection was not found for men.The Blue Mountains Eye Study is a significant population based study which has now been following a sample of older Australians for over 15 years. It has conducted assessments for visual impairment and common eye diseases but has also collected valuable dietary and mortality information. Of the 3654 original participants, aged 49years or older and who live in and around the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, a total of 2514 men and women were eligible for the 15 year follow up.A new method of classifying death from non cardiovascular and non cancer inflammatory disease[2] was used to analyse data from this study. Researchers also assessed whether dietary intakes of polyunsaturated fats or diets high in fish or nuts were associated with death from chronic inflammation related diseases. Non cardiovascular, non cancer inflammatory diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Evidence for clinical benefits of polyunsaturated fats for these conditions does vary. However we know that healthy unsaturated fats in general, long chain omega 3s specifically and other nutrients found in nuts decrease concentrations of inflammatory markers such as cytokines and reactive oxygen species.This recent analysis also found that intakes of alpha-linolenic acid or the plant form of omega 3 found in walnuts, pecans, macadamias and hazelnuts, was associated with decreased risk of dying from inflammatory disease. Alpha-linolenic acid has been shown to favourably affect inflammatory biomarkers such as cytokine production and decrease cell adhesion molecules. Magnesium, a mineral rich in nuts may also reduce inflammatory markers. The authors of the study were surprised to find no association between death from inflammatory disease and long chain omega 3s and fish intake. But what this latest study does however is to further explain how regular nut consumption has such a good effect on the heart health. Remember to grab a handful or two of nuts every day.

References:

[1] Gopinath B et al. Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish and nuts and risk of inflammatory disease mortality. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;93:1073-9.

[2] s DR Jr., et al. Whole grain consumption is associated with reduced risk of noncardiovascular, noncancer death attributed to inflammatory diseases in the Iowa Women's Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1606-14.

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