The walnut tree can grow to 70 feet or more and may have a span as much as 4 feet round its trunk. The walnut tree has long leaves that can grow as long as two to three feet.

Walnuts are part of the mediterranean diet, well known for its health benefits.

Nutrients found in walnuts

Walnut are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact 30g of walnuts provides the daily needs of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts contain a lot of manganese and copper. Also found in smaller quantities are vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, potassium and zinc.

Walnut contains ellagic acid, an antioxidant compound that helps supports the immune system and contains several anticancer properties.

Walnuts for constipation

Walnut has a mild laxative effect, it is beneficial in cases of constipation.

Protect the heart

According to several studies, walnuts have amazing cardioprotective benefits. Research shows that polyphenolic compounds found in walnuts, ellagic and gallic acid, possessed significant antioxidant properties. Further study identifies 16 polyphenols with antioxidant activity so protective it is described as remarkable.

Research shows that inclusion of 30 g of walnuts per day in the diet significantly improves the HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol ratios in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Lower blood pressure

Researchers found that omega-3s from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils such as walnuts and flaxseed had just as much impact on blood pressure as omega-3s from fish.

Walnuts contain relatively high levels of l-arginine, an essential amino acid, they may be of special importance when it comes to hypertension.

Think better with walnuts

The brain is more than 60% fat. For your brain cells to function properly, the brain fat needs to be mostly the omega-3 fats found in walnuts, flaxseed and cold-water fish. For this reason, walnuts are regarded as a brain food; they even have a wrinkled brain-like appearance.

Protect your bones with walnuts

Alpha linolenic acid, the omega-3 fat found in walnuts, promotes bone health by helping prevent excessive bone turnover by providing a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in the diet. (Griel et al. 2007)

Add walnuts to your lunch box

Why not have a few walnuts each day with a healthy sandwich for lunch? Walnuts are best eaten raw and unsalted.

References:

Blomhoff R, Carlsen MH, Andersen LF, Jacobs DR Jr. Health benefits of nuts: potential role of antioxidants. Br J Nutr. 2006 Nov;96 Suppl 2:S52-60. PMID:17125534.

Fukuda T, Ito H, Yoshida T. Antioxidative polyphenols from walnuts (Juglans regia L.). Phytochemistry. Aug;63(7):795-801 2003.

Griel AE, Kris-Etherton PM, Hilpert KF, Zhao G, West SG, Corwin RL. An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans. Nutr J. 2007 Jan 16;6:2. PMID:17227589.

Sabate, J. (1999). Nut consumption, vegetarian diets, ischemic heart disease risk, and all-cause mortality: Evidence from epidemiologic studies. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70(3S), 500S-503S.

Sabate, J. (1993). Does nut consumption protect against ischaemic heart disease? European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 47(1), S71-S75.

Sabate, J., Fraser, G.E., Burke, K., Knutsen, S.F., Bennett, H., & Lindsted, K.D. 1993. Effects of walnuts on serum lipid levels and blood pressure in normal men. New England Journal of Medicine, 328(9), 603-607.

Tapsell LC, Gillen LG, Patch CS, Batterham M, Owen A, Baré M, Kennedy M. Including Walnuts in a Low-Fat/Modified-Fat Diet Improves HDL Cholesterol-to-Total Cholesterol Ratios in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004.

You will note in the Mr Cabbage Head Diet that salt is not allowed. This refers to normal table salt which is just a chemical, sodium chloride. Eating this unnatural salt can contribute to fluid imbalance, cellulite, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, Kidney and gall bladder stones. Processed food often contains salt as well; this is another reason to avoid processed food.

What is Himalayan Crystal Salt?

Himalayan Crystal Salt comes from a time when the planet Earth was a pristine ecosystem. Millions of years ago, a primordial sea was evaporated by the sun, leaving absolutely pristine crystalline salt. Millions of years of pressure forced this salt into a crystalline form. This crystal salt is buried deep in the Himalayas. Himalayan Crystal Salt is 250 million years old and is probably the only source of all trace elements necessary for optimum human health.

In ancient times, Himalayan Crystal Salt was also called “king salt” because it was reserved for Royalty. The common citizens only got rock salt.

“Salt is born of the purest of parents: the sun and the sea.” Pythagoras (580 BC – 500 BC)

Benefits of Himalayan Crystal Salt

Himalayan Crystal Salt is a source of all the 84 elements found in the body.
Regulating the water content throughout the body.
Promoting a healthy pH balance in body cells, particularly brain cells.
Promoting blood sugar health.
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells.
Improves nutrient absorption through the intestinal tract.
Supporting respiratory health.
Promoting sinus health.
Prevention of muscle cramps.
Promoting bone strength.
Regulating sleep.
Supporting libido.
Promoting vascular health.
Regulation of blood pressure.

How much Himalayan Crystal Salt should we eat?

The easiest method is to prepare Sole, a saturated solution of Himalayan Crystal Salt. Put some Himalayan Crystal Salt crystals in a glass of pure water. Always have some undissolved crystals to give a saturated solution. Consume 5mL of this solution each morning with plenty of water.

So, instead of suppressing symptoms with drugs, why not give the body what it needs – all 84 elements needed for human health. Of course, we need more than these elements for sustenance.

References:

Hendel B., Ferreira P. Water and Salt, The Essence of Life. 2003

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats in human nutrition and cannot be manufactured by the body, and must be consumed in the diet. The two main biologically active omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish oil. There is also alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in vegetable oils.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce mortality

Swiss researchers published results of clinical trials in the April 2005 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine showing decreased risk of mortality using omega-3 fish oil. The trials also included statin drugs. The results combine 10,000 clinical trials from 1965 to 2003 which included 275,000 subjects.

In the trials statin drugs reduced overall mortality by 13 percent. Statin drugs advocated by conventional medicine to reduce cholesterol have side effects such as muscle pain, muscle loss, memory loss, liver failure, and fatigue. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced overall mortality by 23 percent.

Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol that can lead to heart disease. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. Low HDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease.

Not only do omega-3 fatty acids reduce the bad LDL cholesterol, they also increase the good HDL cholesterol.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, walnuts, and soybean oil. Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines have high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. To maintain the heart-healthy benefits of fish, bake or grill it. If dietary intake is insufficient, take fish oil capsules.

Other factors

Many other contribute to cholesterol levels and overall health. Maintain a normal body weight, avoid smoking and eat healthy food.

References:

Studer M, Briel M, Leimenstoll B, Glass T, Bucher H. Effect of Different Antilipidemic Agents and Diets on Mortality: A Systemic Review. Archives of Internal Medicine 2005 April 11; 165(7):725-30.