Avocados Contain Many Nutrients...with Recipe

The Avocados Nutritional Density Are Why They Have Taken "Center Stage" in Many Health Studies


Avocados have been reported in a good and a bad light - a bad light because of their fat content and a good light because of their vitamin and mineral content. Now they're being studied extensively for their possible benefits to arthritis sufferers.

The fact is, the fat in an avocado is monounsaturated, mostly from oleic acid, and low in saturated fat. Many companies use avocado oils in their skin care products because of its ability to penetrate beneath the epidermis more effectively. This allows nutrients to be carried deep into the skins layers.

Avocados from a dietary perspective contain such nutrients as:

• potassium, copper, folate

• fat soluble vitamins: E and K

• water soluble vitamins: C and B6.

• carotenoids; lutein, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and zeanthin.

A 2007 article in: Better Nutrition cited that:
"carotenoids are best absorbed into the bloodstream when combined with dietary fat, avocados provide the perfect vehicle for delivering these nutrients into the cells."

Jason Theodosakis, MD and author of The Arthritis Cure was also cited in the Better Nutrition article talking about avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). This product has shown promise in improving pain and stiffness in knee and hip osteoarthritis. Although studies do not extend to children, pregnant or nursing women. Any trial with this new supplement should first be discussed with your doctor.

The oleic acid may also protect against mutations that could lead to cancer and research continues in this area as well.

Some ways to get avocados in your diet include cutting them up in a salad, putting them on burgers including Boca burgers, and, of course, a low-fat guacamole recipe. Try visiting a recipe website and type "avocado" in the search line and you're bound to get a myriad of recipe ideas.

Avocado Smoothie
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup Greek, plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey
2 Tablespoons frozen berries such as blueberries or blackberries

Combine the above ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into beverage glass and enjoy!