Almonds Help Inflammation Health in Diabetics

by | Oct 23, 2012 | 2012, Diabetes, Nuts and Seeds, Pancreatic Health

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Almond consumption dropped two markers of inflammation by 10.3% and 15.7%.

Of the 25.8 million Americans with diabetes (18.8 million diagnosed, 7 million undiagnosed), 90% have Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (1). Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood sugar (>126 milligrams per deciliter after an 8-hour fast or > 200 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water (2)). Diabetes results in increased levels of inflammation and is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and costs our healthcare system $156.6 billion per year (1).

Finding ways to help maintain healthy levels of inflammation in diabetes is of primary interest as it may help control the progression many diabetics undergo to having a heart attack or stroke. Now a new study (3) suggests that almonds may help maintain healthy levels of inflammation.

In the study, 20 patients between and ages of 40 and 70 and with type 2 diabetes for at least 5 years were assigned to either a control diet (NCEP step II diet = 56% carbohydrate, 17% protein, 27% fat calories (4)) or the NCEP step II diet supplemented with 56 grams of almonds per day for 4 weeks. This was followed by a 2-week washout period and then they switched diets. Each patient’s meals were prepared based on their daily activity levels and designed to maintain body weight within about 4.4 pounds of their initial weight.

By the end of the study, researchers observed significant decreases in 2 inflammatory proteins in the almond group compared to the control group.  The first protein, IL-6, was 10.3% lower in the almond group (1.12 vs. 1.25 nanograms/Liter, p < 0.0001). The second inflammatory protein, TNF-alpha, was 15.7% lower in the almond group (0.20 vs. 0.169 ng/L, p = 0.1403).

In addition, a marker of protein damage called protein carbonyl was 28.2% lower in the protein group compared to the control group (1.55 vs. 2.16, p = 0.0003). Finally, LDL cholesterol damage was 16.3% lower in the almond group compared to the control group (137.8 vs. 165 Units/Liter, p < 0.05).

When suggesting how almonds elicit these benefit, researchers pointed to research highlighting the ability of almonds to help control blood sugar and increase antioxidant levels (5). They went on to conclude that “incorporation of almonds into a healthy diet could (reduce) inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with T2DM.”

Source: Liu, Jen-Fang, et al. “The effect of almonds on inflammation and oxidative stress in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized crossover controlled feeding trial.” European journal of nutrition 52.3 (2013): 927-935.

© 2012 Springer International Publishing AG. Part of Springer Nature

Posted October 23, 2012.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

  1. “National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011” – data obtained from the CDC website July 30, 2012.
  2. “How is Diabetes Diagnosed?” from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse Website.
  3. Liu JF.  The effect of almonds on inflammation and oxidative stress in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized crossover controlled feeding trial.  Eur J Nutr 2012 Jun 22.[Epub ahead of print].  DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0400-y.
  4. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) (2002) Third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report. Circulation 106:3143–3421.
  5. Rytter E, Vessby B, A ° sga°rd R, Johansson C, Sjo¨din A, Abramsson-Zetterberg L, Mo¨ller L, Basu S (2009) Glycaemic status in relation to oxidative stress and inflammation in wellcontrolled type 2 diabetes subjects. Br J Nutr 101:1423–1426.