Striving4Zen

The fat contained in nuts and seeds is almost exclusively unsaturated, with a good mix of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Nuts and seeds typically feature very limited amounts of saturated fat, about 5-15% or less of their total fat content. The proper balance between these types of fats is important, and many people do not get enough of certain types, especially the polyunsaturated omega-3s. Many nuts and seeds-notably walnuts, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds-are rich sources of a type of omega-3 fat called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which belongs to the same family of omega-3 fats as the heart-healthy fats-EPA and DHA-you may have heard about in cold-water fish.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts and seeds may help prevent heart disease and repeat heart attacks in several ways. Omega-3 fatty acids, including ALA, EPA, and DHA are protective fats that have been found to:

• Lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels (when elevated, these are both risk factors for heart disease)
• Decrease platelet aggregation, which, when excessive, can cause "sticky" blood that may form artery-blocking blood clots
• Reduce the formation of artery-clogging atherosclerotic plaque
• Reduce inflammation of the blood vessels and therefore improve blood flow
• And, lower blood pressure.

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Labels: ALA, chia seeds, DHA, EPA, healthy diet, healthy fats, hemp seeds, Nuts, Omega-3s, seeds

Omega-3 deficiency can have an adverse effect on the mood. The body inefficiently synthesizes DHA, so we need dietary DHA from sources like oily fish. It offers a rich source of omega-3s—especially preformed EPA and DHA, the most neurologically active forms of omega-3s. Awareness of omega-3 benefits is growing; there was a 5% increase in awareness of the importance of omega-3s in brain health (from 17% to 22%) between 2006 and 2007. Omega 3s have been shown to improve the mood of menopausal and perimenopausal women, too, according to a February 2009 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Labels: DHA, EPA, food and mood, mood, Omega-3s, Omega-3s fish oil, study