Almonds Help People with Type 2 Diabetes Maintain a Healthy Heart

Researchers from Taipei Medical University and Tufts University collaborated on new research presented at EB that examined the effects of almonds on risk factors for cardiovascular disease among 20 Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with mildly hyperlipidemia and treated with oral hypoglycemics. Researchers measured body fat, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, oxidative stress, blood sugar, insulin and inflammatory biomarkers. The 12-week clinical trial had subjects randomly assigned to receive either a NCEP Step II diet or the almond-based diet, which was the NCEP Step II diet that added almonds to replace 20 percent of the total calorie intake. At the end of the study researchers found that the almond diet led to a significant decrease in body fat by 1%, total cholesterol by 8%, and LDL cholesterol by 13%. Most importantly, researchers found that inclusion of almonds decreased blood glucose and insulin and inflammation. Alpha-Tocopherol or vitamin E levels in the blood increased, as well as the resistance of LDL cholesterol against oxidation, when tissues were tested in a laboratory environment. The NCEP Step II diet also improved cardiovascular risk factors. The changes, however, were not as clinically meaningful as those noted with the almond diet.
 
Dr. Oliver Chen, lead study author from Tufts University said, "The results of this study were very interesting, suggesting that more research needs to be conducted to evaluate the benefit of almonds on cholesterol and insulin resistance among individuals with type 2 diabetes from different populations." He emphasized that more research will "provide us with a better understanding of how day-to-day diet, genetics and lifestyle factors may influence the overall contribution of almonds to the diet." 
 
Almonds and other Nuts May Impact HbA1c levels and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Another new study presented at EB by Dr. Cyril Kendall and funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition and Research and Education Foundation examined the impact of nuts, including almonds, on not only cardiovascular disease risk factors, but also hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. HbA1c is a test used to estimate the management of blood sugar over the past two to three months. In this three month study, 117 individuals with diabetes treated with oral medication to help manage their blood sugar levels were randomly assigned to receive one of three diets, a full-dose mixed nut diet (75g), half-dose mixed nut diet (38g) and half portion of muffins or muffin diet (control). Researchers measured HbA1c levels, serum lipids, blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers

Researchers found that the full dose mixed nut diet resulted in a significant improvement in glycemic control as indicated by a reduction in HbA1c levels (P<0.01). There was also a significant decrease in cardiovascular risk factors, total cholesterol (P<0.022) and LDL cholesterol (P<0.027), with the full dose mixed nut group compared to the control group.

Lead study author Dr. Kendall from the University of Toronto explained, "These findings build upon previous research which has found that nuts have a beneficial role in impacting serum lipid levels, and interestingly, also suggest that nuts may have value in promoting glycemic control." While follow-up research is needed to explore the impact of nuts on blood sugar levels, this new study reinforces the many potential contributions nuts, including almonds, may have for our diets and health.

Bay Beyond Inc. Introduces New Line of Inner Ocean® Seaweed Soaps

In 2006, Blair Snyder gazed out across the seaside marshes of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and wondered what would happen if she dried some seaweed and added it to her handmade soap.  What happened was a miraculous transformation, a striking color of emerald green that led to the creation of an array of nautical soaps. 

Blair began peddling her homemade goods to local gift shops, one of which was at the facility of Bay Beyond Inc., headquarters for the Blue Crab Bay Co.® line of specialty foods.  Pamela Barefoot, founder of the Blue Crab Bay® brand, immediately recognized a struggling entrepreneur and offered some business guidance.  A year later, Bay Beyond Inc. acquired “Sea Soaps” and rebranded it as Inner Ocean®. 

Today the Inner Ocean® line includes a variety of handmade glycerin-seaweed soaps in nautical shapes and forms. Crabs, seahorses, seashells, sand dollars, starfish, sailboats, lobsters and other seashore shapes are either imbedded in the seaweed-green soaps or adorn the tops. The handcrafted, lightly scented soaps range from 2 oz. to 6 oz. in weight. A selection of soaps is also available on wooden or porcelain soap dishes.

Rounding out the line are a guest soap gift box, which contains six shell-shaped soaps nestled in seaweed-like paper shred; a fishnet wrapped “Skinny Dipper” gift pack; bath sea salt; sea wool sponges and jars of beachcomber’s potpourri. New customers might want to try the Soothing Sampler, an introductory assortment, or the Soap Mini-Sampler, which includes one of each soap. Personalized seaweed soaps are also available as coastal wedding favors.

For more information on Inner Ocean®, visit "http://www.baybeyond.net" www.baybeyond.net or call (800) 221-2722 for sales literature.