A handful of walnuts could be helpful to your health Crunch time When you're doing your holiday baking this season, throw in a handful of walnuts. A study in the journal Nutrition has showed that walnuts are a good source of melatonin, which, in addition to helping regulate our biological clocks, is also a powerful antioxidant.  The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas and supported by the California Walnut Industry, found that the melatonin in walnuts can improve resistance to oxidative stress caused by toxic free radicals by eliminating them before they cause harm. Walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and inhibit certain types of cancer.  The researchers fed rats either a regular diet or walnuts and then measured their serum melatonin levels. Those that were fed walnuts showed a threefold increase in blood melatonin concentrations -- and an increase in serum antioxidant power than the rats fed a regular diet.  Although the study didn't address how many walnuts one would have to consume daily to get these benefits, the health advantages of walnuts are clear.  ****************************************************  Juicy news  Q: A friend who knows I suffer from migraine headaches recommended noni juice. What exactly is it?  JVW: Noni juice is produced from the fruit of a bush that grows out of the volcanic ash of the Polynesian Islands. Some researchers and producers of the juice claim it can be used to treat a whole slew of disorders -- from the common cold to depression, cancer, psoriasis, and many, many others.  ****************************************************  What are...free radicals?  A free radical is an atom or molecule with an unpaired electron in its outer ring. Free radicals indiscriminately seek electrons from other atoms, thus converting those other atoms into free radicals, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process of stealing electrons has begun, it can cascade, resulting in biological damage.  Free radical damage accumulates with age and contributes to many different diseases, including cataracts, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from removing electrons from other atoms, thereby slowing the aging process.  Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing   Sources: "A Systematic Review of the Effects of Nuts on Blood Lipid Profiles in Humans," Journal of Nutrition 2005; 135(9): 2,082-2,089

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