California Walnuts – walnuts.org

Defend Your Body with California Walnuts

For over two decades, the California Walnut Commission has supported scientific research in the areas of heart health, diabetes, cancer, aging, cognition and male reproductive health, and has over 75 published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

California Walnuts are the only nut – and one of few foods – to provide an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) —providing 2.5 grams per ounce of this plant-based form of essential omega-3.

 

Prostate cancer: Strikes one in six men and is a leading cause of male cancer deaths in the United States[1].  As a supporter of Blue September, California Walnuts is helping to bring awareness to prostate cancer one handful at a time.

• Recent research[2] from the University of California at Davis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California found that prostate tumors in mice fed the human equivalent of three ounces per day of walnuts were approximately 50% smaller and grew 30% slower than prostate tumors in control mice.  Please note, the effect on humans is unkown; the findings of the animal study are preliminary and are used as background and to formulate hypotheses for additional research needed to determine the effects on humans. (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8476591)

 

Heart disease: Is the leading cause of death for U.S. men.[3]

• Over two decades of published research has uncovered various heart health benefits of walnuts. Studies have shown improvement on the following markers: cholesterol levels[4], blood pressure[5], and arterial function[6]. Due to the strength of evidence supporting cardiovascular health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved one of the first qualified health claims for a whole food for walnuts in March 2004.[7]

 

Fertility: 30 – 50% of infertility cases are attributed to the male partner, and in the United States the prevalence of men seeking help for fertility is estimated at ~3.3 – 4.7 million.[8]

• Research published in the recent issue of Biology of Reproduction Papers-in-Press reports that 75 grams (approximately 2.5 ounces) of walnuts consumed per day improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology (normal forms) in a group of healthy young men between 21-35 years of age.  This research suggests that walnuts provide nutrients that may be valuable in male reproductive health.  According to Professor Wendie Robbins, PhD, RN, FAAN, who led the research at the University of California, Los Angeles, “the positive finding of walnuts on sperm may be a result of their unique nutrient profile.”

 

Cognitive Decline: Men over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer cognitive impairment than women of the same age according to a recent Mayo Clinic Study[9]. 

• While there is no known cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, walnuts have shown promise in aiding cognitive function in animal research.  A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition[10] found a diet containing as much as 6 percent walnuts (equivalent to one ounce or 1/4 cup in humans) was able to reverse age-related motor and cognitive deficits in aged rats.  Please note, this is preliminary research and a human trial will be needed to confirm the results in humans. (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5465528)

 

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• [1] http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5800851/k.645A/Prostate_Cancer_FAQs.htm
• [2] http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8476591
• [3] http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_men_heart.htm
• [4]Am J ClinNutr. 2009 Jul; 90 (1): 56-63.
• [5]J Am CollNutr. 2010 Dec; 29 (6): 595-603.
• [6]Ros E, Núñez I, Pérez-Heras A, Serra M, Gilabert R, Casals E, Deulofeu R. Circulation. 2004 Apr 6;109(13):1609-14.
• [7]“Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.” One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid – the plant-based omega-3.
• [8] Anderson JE, Farr SL, Jamieson DJ, Warner L, Machaluso M. Infertility services reported by men in the United States: national survey data. FertilSteril. 2009; 91: 2466-2470.
• [9] The Incidence of MCI Differs by Subtype and is Higher in Men," Jan. 25, 2012, Neurology, American Academy of Neurology  
• [10] Dose-dependent effects of walnuts on motor and cognitive function in aged rats. British Journal of Nutrition 009; 101; 1140-1144