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Walnut

The walnut tree is a tree whose fruit, the walnut, is a popular food. The nut, the shell of the nut and the leaves of the walnut tree are used to make medicine. The walnut is used as part of the diet to lower cholesterol levels. The shell of the real walnut is used as a "blood purifier" and to treat inflammatory swellings of the digestive tract and blood poisoning. The leaves of the walnut tree are used to treat diarrhea, inflammation of the digestive tract and intestinal worm infestation. They are also used as a "blood purifier". Some people apply the shell of the real walnut directly to the skin to treat skin diseases, skin infections and swelling of the eyelids. It is also used in hair dyes and self-tanning products. The leaves of the walnut tree are applied to the skin to treat swelling of the skin, excessive sweating of the hands and feet and skin diseases such as acne, eczema, ulcers and infections. In combination with other medicinal plants, the shell of the walnut is used to treat diabetes, gastritis and anemia.

In food, the walnut is usually used for baking and as an ingredient in salads.

How does the real walnut work?

Walnuts contain certain fatty acids that can be a beneficial part of a cholesterol-lowering diet. It also contains chemicals that can dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation and heart function.

How effective are real walnuts?

Walnuts may be effective for coronary heart disease. Some research suggests that people who eat more walnuts and other nuts have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and a lower risk of death from heart problems. Furthermore, walnuts may be effective in lowering high cholesterol levels. Eating walnuts as part of a low-fat diet appears to lower cholesterol levels. Total cholesterol levels and levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol are lowered when walnuts are eaten in place of fatty foods and account for at least 20% of daily calories. When walnuts are added to a low-fat diet, total cholesterol levels can be reduced by 4 to 12% and LDL cholesterol levels can be reduced by 8 to 16%. Replacing other dietary fats with walnuts appears to improve the ratio of "good" HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of walnut products for diarrhea, diabetes, anemia, acne, eczema, skin ulcers, inflammatory swelling of the skin and excessive sweating of hands and feet. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of walnut products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Walnut products appear to be safe and harmless for most people at normal dietary levels. Not enough is known about the safety of larger amounts. Walnuts can cause soft stools and a bloated feeling, as well as weight gain (if other fats are not removed from the diet at the same time). In addition, walnuts may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to walnuts.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Walnuts are safe and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in normal dietary amounts. However, there is not enough information on whether the larger amounts used as medicine are safe and harmless, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit themselves to normal dietary amounts to be on the safe side.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information on interactions of real walnut with medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral:

To lower cholesterol levels: 8-11 walnuts or 30-56 grams were used in place of other dietary fats.

References

  1. Anderson KJ, Teuber SS, Gobeille A, et al. Walnut polyphenolics inhibit in vitro human plasma and LDL oxidation. J Nutr 2001;131:2837-42.
  2. Asero R. Detection and clinical characterization of patients with oral allergy syndrome caused by stable allergens in Rosaceae and nuts. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999;83:377-83.
  3. Bonamonte D, Foti C, Angelini G. Hyperpigmentation and contact dermatitis due to Juglans regia. Contact Dermatitis 2001;44:101-2.
  4. Chisholm A, Mann J, Skeaff M, et al. A diet rich in walnuts favorably influences plasma fatty acid profile in moderately hyperlipidaemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 1998;52:12-6.
  5. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid= 786bafc6f6343634fbf79fcdca7061e1&rgn=div5&view= text&node=21:3.0.1.1.13&idno=21
  6. Feldman EB. The scientific evidence for a beneficial health relationship between walnuts and coronary heart disease. J Nutr 2002;132:1062S-101S.
  7. Hu FB, Stampfer MJ. Nut consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: a review of epidemiologic evidence. Curr Atheroscler Rep 1999;1:204-9.
  8. Inbaraj JJ, Chignell CF. Cytotoxic action of juglone and plumbagin: a mechanistic study using HaCaT keratinocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 2004;17:55-62.
  9. Perusquia M, Mendoza S, Bye R, et al. Vasoactive effects of aqueous extracts from five Mexican medicinal plants on isolated rat aorta. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;46:63-9.
  10. Ros E, Nunez I, Perez-Heras A, et al. A walnut diet improves endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects: a randomized crossover trial. Circulation 2004;109:1609-14.
  11. Sabate J, Fraser GE, Burke K, et al. Effects of walnuts on serum lipid levels and blood pressure in normal men. N Engl J Med 1993;328:603-7.
  12. Tapsell LC, Gillen LJ, Patch CS, et al. 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;27:2777-83.
  13. Zambon D, Sabate J, Munoz S, et al. Substituting walnuts for monounsaturated fat improves the serum lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic men and women. Ann Intern Med 2000;132:538-46.