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ALMONDS:
Your BEST
Daily Superfood
Edgar Cayce, America’s greatest 20th century psychic, gave more than 14,000 psychic readings while in hypnotic trances. He was also hailed as the father of Western holistic medicine since he could diagnose illnesses while at the same time prescribe natural remedies to treat them. Most of his predictions and psychic readings were written down and used as the basis for his Association for Research and Enlightenment located in Virginia Beach, VA. One of the first things he recommended during his readings was to eat a few almonds each day, as he said they could prevent cancer. What is interesting is that the ancient doctors of India said a similar thing, however, they recommended soaking the almonds overnight in water and peeling the skin before eating them. It was always interesting to me that this recommendation was made thousands of years ago and then again reiterated by an American psychic.
I always wondered what was so important about almonds, why were they specifically mentioned when there are so many other nourishing nuts and seeds out there?
Now that we have microscopes and other tools to detect the active compounds in foods, we can investigate why almonds have been repeatedly singled out as one of nature’s healing gifts.
First, researchers studied participants who ate almonds and reported less muscle damage and fatigue after their workouts. This study published in Frontiers in Nutrition Journal reported that men and women who consumed 40 almonds per day had higher levels of an important fat 12,12-DiHOME in their blood immediately after a session of intense exercise compared to control participants who did not eat almonds.
The researchers are hoping that these findings will persuade athletes to substitute the synthetic electrolyte drinks which are basically sugar water, synthetic electrolytes and artificial coloring to switch to more natural sweeteners such as fruit, and are encouraging athletes to also include nuts like almonds in their diet on a regular basis to help them repair from their intense workouts.
The ancient doctors stated that almonds were good for our brain health. And now we know that almonds contain a good source of L-Carnitine which boosts cell production in the brain. Studies show that eating soaked almonds improve memory, providing the brain with an excellent source of Vitamin E and B6 while at the same time helping the brain cells to absorb protein.
Eating soaked almonds on a regular basis helps improve the health of our hair by strengthening the existing hair and stimulating the growth of new hair. Also, almonds are nourishing to the bones. And Ayurveda recognizes the fact that anything that nourishes the bones will also increase the health of the hair.
But why did the ancient doctors specifically say to soak the almonds and peel them before eating? Again, thousands of years ago when these Vedic texts were written we didn’t have the scientific technology to describe why they made certain recommendations. But now science shows us that the skin of the almonds contains high doses of tannins and phytates which prevents the absorption of the zinc, calcium and iron that are found in the nuts.
We regularly give recipes blending soaked and peeled almonds with milk and other rejuvenating herbs to help increase stamina when someone is weak. Soaked and peeled almonds blended in milk and herbs can also increase both fertility and the quality and quantity of the breastmilk.It’s important to understand here that it’s best to buy the almonds with their skin on, soak them and peel them yourself. Don’t purchase blanched almonds with the skin already removed as the skin prevents the oxidation and breakdown of the fats and other nutrients contained within the almonds. And don’t buy almond milk already made — as it sits on the shelf each day it loses more and more of not only its nutritional value, but also the vibrant life force or prana that we get from the food when it is made on the same day we consume it.
Also, soaking of the almonds makes them softer and easier to digest, which will prevent bloating that may be caused by dry almonds with their skin intact. It was also noted that nuts contain heat which could heat up the liver and blood after being ingested, so soaking was recommended to cool down their inherent heat, preventing skin reactions and digestive upset.
The ancient doctors also stated that almonds could be used to prevent chronic advanced ailments – akin to cancer. Why did this show up repeatedly in both the Vedic literature and modern literature? What is so special about almonds that they are mentioned when referring to cancer prevention? Research has now shown that certain nuts, such as almonds, may suppress the growth of cancer cells. A study done in 2015 demonstrated that regular almond consumption significantly reduced the risk for breast cancer by 2-3 times.
Other studies show that walnuts, almonds and pistachios also contain high amounts of cancer-fighting compounds. They help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including colorectal, endometrial and pancreatic cancer. They offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection which scavenge free radicals that trap and neutralize highly reactive molecules before they can damage the cells’s DNA and start the cancer process.
The Harvard Nurses’s Study found that people who eat nuts in their youth may have a better chance of fighting off breast cancer later in life. And a follow-up study involving the daughters of the nurses found that eating more nuts, lentils and beans prevented fibrocystic breast disease which places one at a higher risk for developing breast cancer.
Another study out of the British Journal of Cancer found that even two handfuls of nuts a week may protect against pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly malignancies.
Tests were done on 10 types of nuts commonly eaten in the United States to see how well they could prevent cancer. Almonds appeared twice as protective when compared to other nuts such as hazelnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, cashews and macadamias. They decreased cancer cell growth twice as much as the other nuts. Walnuts and pecans also caused a dramatic drop in cancer proliferation even in tiny doses.
And other studies have found that people who eat almonds are far less likely to contract cancer than people who do not. Almonds are very effective in preventing the onset of particular cancers, such as prostate cancer, breast and colon cancers.
We tell our patients to eat 10 soaked and peeled almonds a day. They are not only tasty, but easy to digest and go a long way in preventing the many diseases listed here, including the prevention of cancer. Keep in mind that the best cure for cancer lies in preventing it in the first place. So in addition to eating almonds and some of the other nuts mentioned here, it is always recommended that you follow a proper diet and daily routine, drink good quality alkaline spring water, get out in the sunshine, exercise and learn the correct ways to detoxify your body using Vaidya Mishra’s SVA protocols.
I hope you find this information useful as you try to develop a game plan to not only prevent cancer but to nourish your body, mind and soul, which will prevent any disease from taking hold.
Thank you,
Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum
Cinnaminson, NJ
856-786-3330
drmteitelbaum.com
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