Nuts and Seeds: Improving Your Health

Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are bursting with vital nutrients. Even just a handful is rich with vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which we need, and which team up to help your heart, brain and waistline. As little as an ounce a day provides invaluable fibre, protein and immune-boosting minerals. Nuts and seeds contain mono and polyunsaturated fats, essential, healthful fats which are essential to maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Meats, full-fat dairy, fried foods and processed foods are where the harmful forms of saturated and trans fats are found. Research shows that diets high in these unhealthy fats can lead to a host of diseases. Choosing healthy fats lowers cholesterol and enriches cell development, growth and repair. AUTHOR: Patsy Westcott is an award-winning freelance journalist, author and copywriter specialising in health, medicine and nutrition, especially for women aged 50+. She currently contributes regular features to 'Woman & Home, Saga, Waitrose (Waitrose Weekend), Healthspan (Lifespan Magazine)' and many others. She is also health editor and voice of Victoria' ('Victoria.co.uk') a website aimed women of a certain age as well as doing medical backgrounders for a variety of companies.