A Handful of Walnuts Can Help Your Heart
A Rich Plant Source of Omega-3s

Walnuts are an important plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
While this study joins previous research which shows that regularly consuming a small amount of nuts guards the heart and can reduce stroke and some cancer risks, walnuts are a protective food in a class of their own.
The explanation lies in the nut, or more accurately its composition. Each walnut is a nutrient powerhouse with 65 percent fat, 15 percent protein, and 7 percent fibre. The fat consists mostly of polyunsaturated linolenic acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linoleic acid (Omega-3). Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is one of the three types of Omega-3 fatty acids essential for normal metabolism. It is also the precursor in the human body of the other two vital Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, found in greater quantities in oily fish. In other words, walnuts are a valuable plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

English walnuts
The good news from the German and other studies is that to enjoy the benefits of walnuts you only have to eat a small amount each day—perhaps 43 grams (1.5 ounces). Even in our weight conscious world it would be hard to find a healthier 250 calories in your diet.
Thank you for an inspiring article on the health benefits of walnuts. I hope this leads to more people eating walnuts. For information on planting walnut trees, go to the web site of the Northern Nut Growers Association, http://www.nutgrowing.org.