The California Walnut Commission has announced its “Power of 3” global promotional campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of Omega-3 and to highlight how outstanding a plant-based source of omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) walnuts are. Walnut is an easily available, versatile food that can be used in meals and snacks. It also makes it possible to meet the recommended daily requirement of plant-based omega-3 ALA for humans (1.6 g per day for men and 1.1 g per day for women) in a delicious way.
On the other hand, Omega-3 deficiency is a common problem in Turkey as well as all over the world. It can be said that there is a deficiency in our Omega-3 consumption, especially considering the heavy life and processed foods in cities.
Walnuts are the only tree nut containing valuable plant-based Omega-3 ALA (2.5g/oz), which research has shown to play a role in heart health, brain health and healthy aging.2,3,4 EPA and DHA, which are commonly found in marine sources such as fish and algae and three forms of Omega-3, including ALA, an essential plant-based fatty acid that can be found in food sources such as walnuts, flax and chia seeds. Research continues to uncover the unique benefits of ALA, unlike the more widely known benefits of marine sources.
Just a handful of walnuts each day can help support bodily health.The campaign makes it easy for people around the world to add a handful of walnuts to their daily meals and snacks. Throughout March, the global campaign will run simultaneously across multiple continents and will include retail promotions, advertisements, food descriptions, images and more – so consumers can simply enjoy the multicultural dining experience at home.
“We’ve had incredible success with the Power of 3 campaign over the past two years, and we’re excited to launch it in 2022,” said Pam Graviet, Head of International Marketing at the California Walnut Commission. Graviet continued: “As more people adopt plant-based eating habits, it has been an extraordinary way to share how walnuts can help individuals achieve their individual goals. It is always exciting to see how walnut lovers share their personal experiences.”
Using the hashtag #3, consumers can share on social media how they are doing more for their health with a handful of walnuts at a time. For more information on plant-based omega-3 ALA and California walnuts and delicious recipe ideas, visit www.californiawalnut.com.tr.
The Science Behind Plant-Based Omega-3 ALA:
ALA and Heart Health
A study in Advances in Nutrition found that ALA can help improve heart health, just as we have seen in studies focusing on EPA and DHA. provided evidence demonstrating its potentially beneficial role in conservation. According to a clinical study published in The Journal of Nutrition, a diet strong in omega-3 ALA from foods such as walnuts may help reduce the risk of heart disease through anti-inflammatory effects. Well-controlled clinical studies are needed to clarify the effects on cardiovascular disease risk and to determine the recommended measure of ALA to be consumed for heart health benefits.
ALA and Brain Health
ALA and Healthy Aging
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2020) looked at the systematic consumption of foods rich in marine or plant-based omega-3s and the risk of death in individuals who have had a heart attack. 7 Additionally, research from one of the largest clinical trials examining the benefits of the Mediterranean diet found that elderly Hispanic individuals (55-80 years old) who had a high cardiac risk and had a diet that supported a high consumption of fish with nutritional ALA had a reduced risk of all-cause death. 8 Specifically, study participants who consumed at least 0.7% of their daily caloric intake from ALA had a 28% lower risk of death from all causes.
1 Nutritional reference intakes for power, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids (Macronutrients) (2005) NAS. IOM. Food and Nutrition Council.
2Supporting but inconclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts daily as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and avoiding extra calories may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. (FDA) One ounce of walnuts contains 18 g total fat, 2.5 g monounsaturated fat, 13 g polyunsaturated fat, 2.5 g alpha-linolenic acid – plant-based omega-3.
3 Fleming JA, Kris-Etherton PM. Evidence for α-linolenic acid and cardiovascular disease benefits: comparisons of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Advances in Nutrition 2014;5(6):863S-76S. doi: 10.3945/an.114.005850.
4Sala-Vila A, Valls-Pedret C, Rajaram S, Coll-Padrós N, Cofán M, Serra-Mir M, Pérez-Heras AM Roth I1, Freitas-Simoes TM1, Doménech M1, Calvo C, López-Illamola A, Bitok E, Buxton NK, Huey L, Arechiga A, Oda K, Lee GJ, Corella D, Vaqué-Alcázar L, Sala-Llonch R, Bartrés-Faz D, Sabaté J, Ros E. Effect of a 2-year diet intervention with walnuts on cognitive decline (The effect of a 2-year dietary intervention with walnuts on cognitive decline.) The Walnuts And Healthy Aging (WAHA) study: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nut.2020;111(3): 590–600, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz328
5Zhao G, Etherton TD, Martin KR, West SG, Gillies PJ, Kris-Etherton PM. Nutritional alpha-linolenic acid reduces hypercholesterolemic inflammatory and lipid cardiovascular risk factors in men and women. J Nutr. (Journal of Nutrition) 2004; 134:2991-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/134.11.2991
6Barceló-Coblijn G, Murphy EJ. Alpha-linolenic acid and its conversion to longer chain n3 fatty acids: human health benefits, role in maintaining n-3 fatty tissue acid levels. Prog Lipid Res. 2009;48(6):355-74. doi: 10.1016 / j.plipres.2009.07.002.
7Lázaro I, Rueda F, Cediel G et al. Circulating Omega-3 Fatty Acids and adverse effects in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. October 2020, 76 (18) 2089–2097. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.08.073
8 Sala-Vila A, Guasch-Ferré M, Hu FB et al. Death rate in a population with dietary α-linolenic acid, marine ω-3 fatty acids and high fish consumption: findings from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) study. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2016;5(1):e002543. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.
