Latest news with #Enayat
Evening Standard
22-04-2025
- Health
- Evening Standard
What are peptides and could they be the missing piece in your longevity regime?
There are now more than 80 therapeutic peptides which have reached the global market to date, according to a paper in Nature journal. It's big business. The global peptide therapeutics market size is calculated at $52.59 billion in 2025 and forecasted to reach around $83.75 billion by 2034 according to Precedence Research. The newest rockstars of the peptide world are ones likes ipamorelin and CJC, which Dr Enayat says he prescribes 'for upregulating growth hormone production', TA-1, for anti-inflammatory purposes, cerebrolysin 'for prevention of common brain related conditions, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease progression' and BPC-157, the most commonly used peptide for soft tissue injury prevention for people that use their musculoskeletal system a lot' and TB-500, also known as thymosin beta four, 'for soft tissue repair, musculoskeletal injury prevention, and for lean body optimisation.' He says that he does use GLP-1s in clinic for weight loss, Mounjaro in particular, but doesn't like to use them as a first port of call. 'There are often other levers we can pull.'
Telegraph
17-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Nine brilliant health benefits of eating walnuts
Walnuts provide healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals – and that's just the headline health benefits they offer. Little wonder the juglans regia is also known as the 'king of nuts'. Such is the fascination and interest in this common kernel that, for the past 50 years, scientists and industry experts have gathered annually at a walnut conference in California, to discuss the latest research. 'The shift towards 'food as medicine' in longevity science has brought nuts back into focus,' says Dr Mohammed Enayat, the founder of HUM2N, the UK's leading longevity clinic. 'I often encourage my older patients to see walnuts as an essential part of their daily nutrition to retain better muscle function and cognitive health as they age.' Here are some of the top health perks to be gained from a handful. 1. May help brain function Thanks to their omega-3 content, walnuts are often called ' brain food '– and with good reason. 'Walnuts are particularly rich in polyphenols and DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid crucial for cognitive function,' says Dr Enayat. 'Regular walnut consumption has been associated with improved memory and cognitive function in older adults, and one fascinating aspect is that the structure of a walnut even resembles the human brain – a coincidence, perhaps, but a visually striking one.' Meanwhile animal studies have demonstrated that diets enriched with walnuts can help improve learning and memory, proposing that this is the result of reduced oxidative damage in the brain. 'Many of my patients report feeling sharper and more focused within weeks of some simple food swaps and adding walnuts to their diet,' says Dr Enayat. 'This aligns with research suggesting that walnuts improve neuronal plasticity and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.' 'I often recommend them in clinic as a nutrient-dense snack that helps bridge gaps in the diet, especially for people who don't eat much oily fish,' says Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered specialist dietitian and the author of How Not To Eat Ultra-Processed. 'They're also a source of plant-based protein, making them a brilliant option for vegetarians and vegans.' Ludlam-Raine recommends storing walnuts in the fridge (or even the freezer) to preserve their delicate oils and prevent them from going rancid. 2. May reduce inflammation 'Inflammation is at the root of so many chronic diseases, but walnuts can act as helpful inflammation-fighters packed with omega-3s and polyphenols,' says Dr Jay Shah, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at Hilo. 'Just a handful can support your body's natural defences and keep inflammation in check.' He points to a 2020 review contending that regular consumption of nuts (including walnuts) is associated with lower circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a marker of systemic inflammation. 'Some studies have noted up to a 12-19 per cent reduction in CRP levels with higher nut intake,' says Dr Shah. 'What's more, in a randomised controlled trial, participants who consumed a meal supplemented with walnuts showed improved endothelial function (meaning the lining of blood vessels works better, leading to healthier blood flow) and potentially lower risk of cardiovascular disease and decreased markers of inflammation compared to those who did not,' he adds. 3. Can promote a healthy gut 'Walnuts act as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria,' says Ludlam-Raine. She points to a 2018 study which showed increased levels of good gut bacteria (such as Lachnospiraceae) after daily walnut consumption. 'I've seen clients with sluggish digestion benefit from adding a small handful of walnuts to breakfast – they're especially helpful when combined with high-fibre foods like oats or fruit,' adds Ludlam-Raine. 4. May help weight management Despite being energy-dense, walnuts can support weight management due to their satiating combination of protein, fibre and healthy fats. 'They help people feel fuller for longer, which may reduce mindless snacking. I often recommend them as a 3pm snack with fruit or yogurt to tide people over until dinner,' says Ludlam-Raine. Dr Enayat notes that in his patients who include walnuts as part of a balanced diet, 'they often experience fewer cravings for sugary foods. This may be due to the satiety-inducing effects.' 5. May help with Type 2 diabetes 'Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health concerns globally, with dietary interventions incredibly important in managing and preventing it,' says Dr Enayat. Research shows that people who eat walnuts regularly have up to a 24 per cent lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and including them in your diet can improve glycaemic control for people at risk of – or managing – Type 2 diabetes. Recommended intake is between about 30-56 grams per day, or a handful. The fibre and fat content can help improve insulin sensitivity, supporting more stable blood sugars. 'Unlike refined carbohydrates or saturated fats, the healthy fats in walnuts help stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing postprandial glucose spikes,' explains Dr Enayat. 'Interestingly, I've also seen a shift in how diabetes patients are viewing fats. Once demonised, they are now increasingly recognised as essential for metabolic health, particularly when they come from sources like walnuts.' 6. May reduce blood pressure Cutting back on salt and increasing potassium-rich foods like fruit and veg will improve blood pressure, but walnuts have a role to play too, according to the cardiologist Dr Shah. 'Because they're packed with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats and arginine, an amino acid that helps your blood vessels relax, which in turn can help lower blood pressure'. Studies suggest walnuts may reduce systolic blood pressure by 2-3 mmHg, and while that isn't a massive reduction, says Dr Shah, 'even small improvements can have a big impact on heart health in the long-term'. Another trial, while focused on mixed nuts instead of solely walnuts, indicated that a Mediterranean diet enriched with nuts could help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.' 7. May promote healthy ageing Ageing is an inevitable process, but how we age is undoubtedly influenced by our lifestyle choices, insists Dr Enayat. 'One of the key factors in ageing well is mitochondrial function, and walnuts appear to support this at a cellular level. Research suggests that eating walnuts is associated with reduced risk of frailty and better overall health in older adults.' Dr Shah adds: 'Ageing well isn't just about looking good, it's also about your body functioning at its best, and walnuts can play a part in that as they're loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients that help combat oxidative stress, one of the main culprits behind age-related diseases.' Observational data suggests that higher nut consumption is linked to greater longevity and reduced risk of chronic age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, says Dr Shah. What's more, some cohorts show that older adults who consume nuts at least five times per week are 20 per cent less likely to die from common age-related causes over certain follow-up periods, compared to non-consumers. 8. May improve reproductive health Emerging research indicates that walnuts may support male fertility, says Ludlam-Raine. ' Studies have shown that eating 45-75g of walnuts a day improved sperm vitality and motility in healthy men. While it's early days in terms of clinical application, it's a fascinating area.' 9. May reduce blood fat levels If you're looking to lower cholesterol naturally, walnuts are an easy win, says Dr Shah. 'They're packed with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce LDL ('bad') cholesterol, some studies show by as much as 10 per cent,' says Shah. He points to a 2018 meta-analysis which concluded that including walnuts in diets was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to control diets. What's more, walnuts are the only nut with a significant amount of ALA omega-3, which is known to help reduce triglycerides. Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in your blood, and while an essential source of fuel for your body, too high levels can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, says Ludlam-Raine. How many walnuts should I eat? A small handful (around 30g or 10-12 walnut halves) is a great daily target, says Ludlam-Raine. 'They're safe to eat every day and stack up well against other nuts in terms of omega-3 content - something almonds and cashews, for example, can't offer,' she adds, and suggests adding them to overnight oats, porridge, yogurt, salads, or blitzing them into pesto. They're perfect for grabbing a handful as a snack says Dr Shah. 'Use walnuts in conjunction with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for a synergistic effect.'
