Download Add An Avocado To Help Combat Disease

Avocados Under The Spotlight In Latest Medical Study
TAURANGA, March 2012: A new pilot study which aims to investigate if the dietary habits
of New Zealanders can be changed, will encourage participants to eat avocados and other
specific foods every day to help reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases.
Nutrigenomics New Zealand (a collaboration between AgResearch, Plant and Food Research
and The University of Auckland) is asking a group of people aged 20 to 60 to change their diet
for six weeks to incorporate foods rich in healthy fats such as avocado, along with fish and
seafood, lean meat, fresh vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts and whole grains.
It is thought a ‘anti-inflammatory’ diet such as this, could assist in reducing the chances
people have of developing cancer, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s as well cardiovascular,
pulmonary, neurological and autoimmune diseases.
The study is being led by Auckland University’s head of nutrition, Professor Lynnette
Ferguson. It draws inspiration from the Mediterranean diet which relies heavily on the above
foods and avoids processed food or items high in sugar, fat or white flour.
“This sort of eating pattern is based on the traditional foods and lifestyle of individuals that
border the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Spain, Italy and Turkey. Although the
specific dietary guidelines that we are asking people to follow are not identical to this, they
have a number of things in common,” Professor Ferguson says.
“In particular, we request that people eat at least seven servings of fresh fruit and vegetables,
two or more servings of fish per week, and that their sources of fat are mainly from extra virgin
olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.”
This pilot study is nearing completion. Nutrigenomics New Zealand will use the information
gathered to gauge how feasible it is to get Kiwis to change their diet long enough to see
changes in inflammation.
Different levels of support, education, recipes and food was given to participants to establish
how much intervention is needed to successfully get people to modify their diets. Blood and
urine samples will also be taken before and afterwards to see if there is a change in people’s
inflammation profiles. .
“We would like to use the outcomes of this study to then design a large scale study for
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients who could benefit greatly from a diet like this. We
ultimately wish to be able to provide dietary guidelines that will aid individuals suffering from
the disease,” Professor Ferguson explains.
The Avocado Industry Council (AIC) supported Nutrigenomics New Zealand with avocados
and recipes throughout the pilot study.
AIC chief executive Jen Scoular says the industry is excited to see the results of the study as
avocados have long been renowned for their health benefits.
“The fats in avocados are classed as ‘good fats’ because they lower your cholesterol and are
good for your heart. Eating at least some avocado every day will definitely make a difference
to your overall health and wellbeing so hopefully the information and insights gained from this
study will benefit all New Zealanders,” Scoular says.
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Natalie Bridges | Village Public Relations & Marketing
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