Sep 11, 2003 18:12 ET

Almonds Are the Answer to the Vitamin E Shortfall in America

Just One Ounce of Almonds a Day Easily Achieves Recommended Vitamin E Intake

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- A report released today from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion that re-examines the Food Guide Pyramid concluded that existing dietary guidance does not meet the recommended levels of vitamin E consumption. Based on the National Academy of Sciences' Dietary Reference Intake report for vitamin E, Americans are only consuming half of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 15 milligrams alpha-tocopherol vitamin E a day, so the USDA is taking the lead to address ways of closing the gap on vitamin E consumption.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030228/DCF017 )


The USDA's report acknowledges that their proposed revisions, which recommend dark green vegetables, legumes, margarine spread and oils such as sunflower, safflower and soybean oils as vitamin E sources, still do not reach the RDA for vitamin E. The report overlooks almonds, a leading source of the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E -- the only form recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. However, by eating just a handful -- one ounce -- of almonds a day, Americans can easily eliminate the vitamin E shortfall and attain the recommended RDA for vitamin E.


Almonds Can Close the Vitamin E Gap


The Food Guide Pyramid is designed to encourage consumption of nutritious foods to reach recommended nutrient intake levels. The USDA determined that most Americans are not meeting the RDA for vitamin E and that to do so would require a major shift in dietary patterns. The USDA set proposed food intake patterns ranging in calories from 1,000 to 3,200 calories that provide 44 to 92 percent of the RDA (15 mg), respectively.


However, it is not difficult to consume 100 percent of the RDA of vitamin E. "By making wise food choices, Americans can easily consume the recommended amount-15 mg-of vitamin E from whole foods at any calorie level," says Liz Ward, MS, RD. "One ounce of almonds, for example, provides 7.3 mg of alpha- tocopherol vitamin E, which would effectually close the vitamin E consumption gap." Almonds can be included in a healthy weight-maintaining diet by substituting them for other less nutrient dense foods.


Almonds are a Vitamin E-Dense Food Source


None of the foods proposed in the USDA report provide as much vitamin E as one ounce of almonds. In fact, soybean oil is the most widely consumed oil source of vitamin E. However, you would have to eat six tablespoons (720 calories) of soybean oil to consume the same amount of vitamin E in one ounce (160 calories) of almonds. In addition, soft margarines made with hydrogenated fats, leafy greens, legumes and other oils are not dense sources of vitamin E. Currently, the Food Guide Pyramid does not readily direct consumers to vitamin E rich foods such as almonds.


"It is clear from consumption studies that consumers are not making food choices to maximize their vitamin E intake," says Katherine Tucker, PhD, Tufts University. "However, with increasing consumption of almonds and other nuts or seeds that contain vitamin E, it becomes much more feasible for consumers to reach the RDA." Research suggests that more people are eating tree nuts such as almonds. Per capita consumption of almonds in the United States increased 57% between 1996 and 2000, according to the USDA's Agricultural Research.


Almonds are a vitamin E-dense food source providing the form of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, that the body prefers. About 98 percent of the vitamin E in almonds is alpha-tocopherol, which is efficiently absorbed and active as an antioxidant in the body.


Almonds as a Good Plant-Source of Protein and the Food Guide Pyramid


The USDA technical report emphasizes that beans and dried peas fit into two food groups -- the meat and beans group and the vegetables group -- since beans are a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc. Almonds are also a good source of protein and dietary fiber and offer zinc. As a plant source of protein, almonds have similar nutritional advantages as beans. This also supports the FDA's recent announcement to encourage consumption of protein sources such as nuts.


Almonds Are Nutrient Packed


Almonds are among the best food sources of alpha-tocopherol vitamin E. One ounce is a good source of protein and dietary fiber and an excellent source of magnesium. Almonds also supply calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper and vitamin B6. In addition, one ounce of nutrient packed almonds contains 160 calories and research demonstrates that people can add an ounce of almonds to their usual healthful eating without gaining weight. As a total package of nutrition, a handful (one ounce of almonds) is the simplest means of significantly increasing vitamin E intake.


The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondsAreIn.com.
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Source: Almond Board of California

CONTACT: Stacey Kollmeyer of Almond Board of California,
+1-209-343-3225; or Michael DeAngelis, +1-202-973-5830, for Almond Board of
California


Web site: http://www.almondsarein.com/