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Peanuts and
peanut butter are whole foods that pack a lot of nutrition into
just one serving. In the legume or dried bean family, peanuts are
a terrific protein source. But the story gets better and better
when you consider the significant amounts of the following
nutrients found in a single ounce of peanuts.
One Ounce (or 30 Whole) Dry Roasted Peanuts
Percentage of Daily Value
|
Protein
Total Fat
Saturated Fat
Carbohydrate
Fiber
Cholesterol
Vitamin E
Niacin
Magnesium
Folate
Copper
Phosphorous
Potassium
Thiamin
Zinc
Iron
Calcium |
14%
21%
10%
2%
8%
0%
25%
19%
12%
10%
10%
10%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2% |
Research
studies on large groups of people have found that people who often
eat peanuts and nuts have a much lower risk of heart disease.
Also, scientists are finding that diets high in monounsaturated
fats, the type found in peanuts, may also protect against heart
disease.
Peanuts and peanut butter are whole foods that contain a variety
of vitamins and minerals, ample protein and beneficial unsaturated
fats. Since they are a plant food, they naturally contain no
cholesterol.
Protein
Peanuts and peanut butter contain high-quality plant protein. When
comparing peanuts to similar foods, peanuts have more protein than
any other legume or nut. This is especially important for
children, vegetarians and people eating more meatless meals.
Unsaturated Fats
Peanuts and peanut butter contain mostly beneficial
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats as compared
to saturated fats have been shown to help lower blood cholesterol
levels. Lowering your blood cholesterol level may reduce your risk
of coronary heart disease.
Fiber
One
ounce or one small handful of peanuts contains 2 big grams of
fiber. This is 8% of the fiber you need each day!
Vitamin
E
One
ounce of peanuts provided 25% of your daily need for vitamin E.
Vitamin E has been shown to act as an antioxidant, which may
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Minerals
Peanuts are an important source of essential minerals such as
magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Some of these
"hard-to-find" minerals such as copper and magnesium may protect
against coronary heart disease.
B
Vitamins
B
vitamins such as folate can help prevent birth defects. They also
reduce the amount of homocysteine in the blood that may be a risk
for heart disease. Peanuts are a good source of folate, a key B
vitamin.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are natural substances in plants which may provide
a wide range of health benefits such as reducing the risk of
coronary heart disease. Peanuts contain resveratrol, which is one
of the many phytochemicals found in plant foods.
*Source: The Peanut Institute
Flaxseed is
one-third oil, the remainder consisting of fiber, protein and
mucilage. Flax oil is one of the greatest sources of essential
fatty acids. The protein in flaxseeds is easily digested and
contains all the amino acids needed for building a strong body.
The fiber in flax acts as a broom, sweeping the colon of toxic
material, metabolic waste and dried mucus. Flax fiber is an
excellent food for friendly bacteria in the intestine, which keeps
disease-causing organisms in check.
Twelve percent of flaxseed is mucilage, which makes it a gentle,
non-irritating, natural laxative. Flax mucilage is perfect for
those who have a sensitive stomach, acting as a buffer for excess
stomach acids, soothing ulcers or irritable bowel disorders.
Flaxseed contains lignans that have anti-viral, anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties. Flaxseeds have the richest
source of lignans, 100 times more than the next best source, wheat
bran. The majority of lignans is found in the seed, giving it an
advantage over flax oil. Flaxseed also contains lecithin, which
emulsifies fat and cholesterol. These little seeds improve
digestion, help stabilize blood glucose levels, fight tumor
formation and enhance cardiovascular health.
*Source: Freedomyou.com, Excerpts from Gods Banquet Table
Flax
oil is one of the most beneficial products in the nutrition field
today. Research is continuing to uncover the benefits of Flaxseed
oil on the human body. Here is a listing of some of the benefits
of Flaxseed oil.
Musculoskeletal System
Shortens the time necessary for fatigued muscles to recover from
exertion
Alleviates pain and inflammation associated with Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Accelerates the healing of pain
Metabolism
May improve athletic performance
Lowers serum cholesterol levels
Alleviates the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus
Increases the body's production of energy
Substantially shortens the recovery time for muscles after
intensive exercise
May prevent/alleviate fatigue and accelerate recovery from
exercise
A valuable adjunctive treatment for obesity, flaxseed oil helps
the kidneys eliminate excess water
Improves the function of the liver
Improves stamina through the increased production of energy
Cardiovascular System
Helps prevent atherosclerosis
Helps prevent abnormal blood clotting
Lowers elevated blood pressure in hypertension patients
Helps prevent heart attacks and helps prevent the occurrence of
second heart attack
Helps prevent thrombosis
Lowers the body's production of potentially toxic thromboxanes
Eyes/Vision/Hair
Improves eye site and color perception
Alleviates some cases of alopecia areata
Helpful in the treatment of dandruff
Improves the condition of dry hair
Immune System
Alleviates some allergies
Alleviates the side-effects and inhibits the further development
of many forms of
Prevents the suppression of the immune system that occurs
following intensive exercise
Eliminates dry skin on hands
Nervous System
Effectively treats some cases of depression
Improves the mental function of elderly people
Is beneficial in the treatment of and often improves the
symptoms of multiple sclerosis
Improves the behavior of Schizophrenia
Respiratory System
Alleviates some cases of asthma
Skin/Nails
Improves the condition of many acne patients
Accelerates the healing of bruises
Alleviates most cases of dry skin
Alleviates many cases of eczema
Increases the strength of the nails and strengthens nails that
break
Helpful in the treatment of psoriasis
Sexual System
Alleviates enlarged prostate
Alleviates some cases of male infertility
Alleviates in some cases pre-menstrual syndrome
Makes pregnancy less eventful, makes deliveries easier and
produces healthier offspring
*Source:
Hyperhealth Natural Health & Nutrition
With all
the media attention on cholesterol, consumers often lose sight of
the fact that eggs are a nutrient rich, affordable contributor to
a healthy diet. Not only do eggs contain the highest quality
source of protein available but they also contain almost every
essential vitamin and mineral needed by humans. In fact, egg
protein is of such high quality that it is used as the standard by
which other proteins are compared. Eggs have a biological value
(efficacy with which protein is used for growth) of 93.7%.
Comparable values are 84.5% for milk, 76% for fish, and 74.3% for
beef. Eggs really are the best protein money can buy, and all of
those other valuable vitamins and minerals too. One of the major
protein ingredients in PowerButter is egg white, which contains no
cholesterol.
Nutrient Content of a Large Egg White
Nutrient (unit)
|
Egg White
Calories (kcal)
Protein (g)
Total lipid (g)
Total carbohydrate (g)
Fatty acids (g)
Saturated fat (g)
Monounsaturated fat (g)
Polyunsaturated fat (g)
Cholesterol (mg)
Thiamin (mg)
Riboflavin (mg)
Niacin (mg)
Vitamin B6 (mg)
Folate (mcg)
Vitamin B12 (mcg)
Vitamin A (IU)
Vitamin E (mg)
Vitamin D (IU)
Choline (mg)
Biotin (mcg)
Calcium (mg)
Iron (mg)
Magnesium (mg)
Copper (mg)
Iodine, I (mg)
Zinc, Zn (mg)
Sodium (mg)
Manganese (mg) |
17
3.52
0
0.3
0
0
0
0
0
.002
.151
.0.031
0.001
1.0
0.07
0
0
0
0.42
2.34
2
0.01
4
0.002
0.001
0
55
0.001 |
*Source:
American Egg Board
Like all
fats, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) provide energy. Their calorific
value is similar to other fats and oils but, unlike saturated
fats, they have important health roles. In fact, as their names
suggest, they are essential and must be consumed regularly, as the
body has limited storage for them.
Both of the important EFA families Omega-6 and Omega-3 are
components of nerve cells and cellular membranes. They are
converted by the body into eicosanoids, leukotrienes and
prostaglandins all of which are needed on a second-by-second basis
by most tissue activities in the body.
EFAs are involved in normal physiology, including:
Regulating pressure in the eye, joints, and blood vessels, and
mediating immune response
Regulating bodily secretions and their viscosity
Dilating or constricting blood vessels
Regulating collateral circulation
Directing endocrine hormones to their target cells
Regulating smooth muscles and autonomic reflexes
Being primary constituents of cell membranes
Regulating the rate of cell division
Maintaining the fluidity and rigidity of cellular membranes
Regulating the inflow and outflow of substances to and from
cells
Transporting oxygen from red blood cells to the tissues
Maintaining proper kidney function and fluid balance
Keeping saturated fats mobile in the blood stream
Preventing blood cells from clumping together (blood clots that
can be a cause of heart attack and stroke)
Mediating the release of inflammatory substances from cells that
may trigger allergic conditions
Regulating nerve transmission and communication
Helping prevent long-term degenerative illness, which results
from a diet deficient in either Omega-3 of Omega-6
However, because the end products (e.g. prostaglandin, leukotriene)
of EFA metabolism differ slightly but significantly from Omega-6
to Omega-3, both EFAs must be present in balance for optimum
health.
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