Almonds Lower LDL Cholesterol and Prevent Disease

The good news today is that almonds are good for you and will help to decrease your LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Not only will the almonds reduce LDL numbers, but they will also decrease your overall cholesterol too.   

Almonds not only treat LDL cholesterol, but also treat diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and help in the reduction of weight to prevent obesity.

Researchers studied the effect of an almond based diet compared to the use of statin drugs. These studies showed that a diet with almonds combined with a diet program similar to the Portfolio Diet provided the near same results as you would taking statin drugs.  Statin drugs have many harmful side effects and should be avoided if possible.

The Portfolio Diet concentrates on the use of almonds.  The diet requires you to eat 23 almonds a day spread out over the day.  The almonds must be prepared properly (instructions below) and ask you to follow a diet of plant proteins and lots of fiber such as with oatmeal and flax.  Flax should always be ground and never cooked.  The downfall to the diet is its recommendation of soy protein, which should be frowned upon.  Protein can be obtained from many other sources, such as Brazil nuts, beans and avocados.

Statins to be used with Caution


In 2007, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology questioned the use of statin drugs to reduce LDL levels to low levels.  These statin drugs may help reduce the incidence of heart disease, but were found to greatly increase the risk of cancer.  A similar study was done and it was discovered that the cholesterol lowering drug greatly increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease by 3 1/2 times.  

If you have high LDL levels, your doctor may prescribe statins to reduce your levels.  A diet void of dairy, meat, sugar and processed foods may benefit you more.  Please be advised, however that excessively high LDL levels may cause heart attack and stroke and statins may be required when there is a life or death situation.

Edgar Cayce on Almonds and Prevention of Disease

Is it possible that Edgar Cayce, “The Sleeping Prophet” could be correct in his views on almonds?  Cayce claimed that almonds were so powerful that they could prevent cancer and tumors. He stated they were a perfect source of nutrition and fats also.  Almonds are the best fats to consume when you are on a meatless diet.
Edgar Cayce, (1877 - 1945) was known as “The father of holistic medicine.”  He was a well known psychic and was able to diagnose illnesses. He wrote extensively on the use of almonds.  According to Cayce, "Those who would eat two to three almonds each day need never fear cancer." (1158-31)

Cayce never stated in his writings whether you are to use raw or roasted.  Roasting removes only a few nutrients from the almonds and still considered to be the best nut of all nuts available.  The three things you lose by roasting are: thiamin (2/3), vitamin A (90%) and pantothenic acid (1/3).  You will not lose any of iron, vitamin E, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous.  You will also not lose any of the fatty acids necessary in the prevention of cancer and heart disease.  

How to Prepare the Almonds

Almonds must be soaked in water for 12 hours before ingesting.  This will make it easier on your digestion system and your pancreas.  You must soak the almonds in clean filtered water, not from the tap.  After the 12 hours is up, drain the water off the almonds and pat dry.  Place on a baking sheet and roast in a very low oven of no more than 105 degrees F.

Other ways to enjoy almonds is in almond butter and almond milk.  By placing 1/8 cup of almonds in a blender along with 1 cup of water, you can make almond milk.  Simply blend on high for 2 minutes.  Almond butter is made easily by adding 1/2 cup of almonds in a coffee grinder and blend on high.  You may have to open the grinder and stir slightly and then blend again.  Almond butter needs to be stored in the refrigerator.
References:
·         US National Library of Medicine, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
·         "Who was Edgar Cayce," Edgar Cayce.org
·         WebMD, Portfolio Diet Explained
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