This is a neat article about avocado's by author Dr. Robert O. Young.

Avocados are rich in nutrients, with vitamins A, B-complex, C,E,H,K
and folic acid. They also contain the buffering minerals so critical
in neutralizing excess acidity, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium,
potassium and many other trace elements.

The Avocados are a perfect food in that they provide all
of the essential amino acids - 18 aminos in all - plus 7 fatty acids,
including omega 3 and 6. They also contain more portein than cow's milk
(about 2 percent per edible portion).

The water content of avocados ranges from 70 to 80 percent. This
high water content makes these avocados a type of hydrating and
energizing fuel for the body to burn, instead of a sugar-based fuel which
leaves and acidic ash waste in your blood. Avocados rank as the most easily
digested rich sourec of fats and proteins in a whole food.

Approximately 63 percent of the fat contained in our avocados are monounsaturated
and lonly 17 percent is saturated. Both types of these fats serve as
food energy sources for our fuel rather than glucose or protein. The
rest of the fat found in avocados, about 20 percent are
polyunsaturated and serve in cellular construction.

Scientific evidence from a May 1999 study conducted by the Califorania
Avocado Commission shows that nutrient-dense avocados contain 76 mg of
beta-sitosterol per 100 grams of fruit. Beta-sitosterol is a plant
sterol that occurs naturally in our avocados. Certain sterols can inhibit
cholesterol absorption in the intestine and result in lower blood
cholesterol levels.

In animal studies, phytosterol has been shown to inhibit the growth of
tumors, particularly the growth of prostate tumors. The 76 mgs. found
in avocados is more than four times the level found in other
commonly eaten fruits, such as bananas, apples, cantaloupes, grapes, plums
and cherries. And avocados do not have all the sugar that raises
blood glucose and acidity. Avocados contain at least twice the amount
of beta-sitosterol found in other foods, including corn, green soy
beans and olives.

A survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute in a 1992
demonstrated that ounce per ounce the glutathion content in avocados is
three times that of bananas, apples, cantloupes, grapes, plums and
cherries. Glutathione is composed of three amino acids and functions as a
buffer neutralizing acids that can cause damage to cells in the body during
the process of aging, heart disease and cancer. Numerous studies have
linked glutathione to the prevention of various types of cancer,
including cancer of the mouth and pharynx and also heart disease.

Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and
author of "What Color Is Your Diet," has this to say about avocados:

"The California avocado is an excellent dietary source of glutathione
and phytosterol, further demonstating the value of the diverse
plant-based diet in providing micronutrients that may have unique roles in the
body and the potential to improve overall health and prevent chronic
disease."

Dr. Heber's findings also indicate that avocados contain a
biochemical called lutein, a carotenoid recently discovered in avocados and
found in green vegetables, which can help protect against various forms of
cancer, including prostate cancer.

UCLA lab tests showed that lutein reduces prostate cancer cell growth
by 25 percent, while lycopene from tomatoes reduces cell growth by 20
percent. When lutein and lycopene were conbined, prostate cancer cell
growth was reduced by 32 percent. This indicates that both nutrients
together help protect against prostate cancer better than either nutrient
alone. "Lutein and lycopene in combination appears to have additive or
synergistic effects against prostate cancer," said Heber. "Our result
suggests that further study should be done to investigate the nutrient
interactions of lutein and lycopene at a subcellular and molecular
level."

This research is why I recommend avocados and tomatos for
breakfast every morning.

Traditionally, lutein has been found in green vegetables such as
parsley, celery and spinach, but it was also recently discoverd in avocados.
(To purchase your Rancho del Sol organically grown avocados go to:
[www.phmiracleliving.com]) In fact, research
has shown that avocados are the highest fruit source of lutein among the
twenty most frequently consumed fruits. In addition to the new
prostate cancer findings, lutein is also known to protect against eye diseases
such as cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading cause of
blindness.

The new research at UCLA also indicates that avocados have nearly
twice as much vitamin E as previously reported, making them the highest
fruit source of this powerful buffer of metabolic and digestive acids.
Vitmain E is known to slow the aging process and to protect against
heart disease and common forms of cancer by neutralizing metabolic acids,
which may cause cellular damage. Dr. David Heber states, "avocados are
recognized as an excellent source of monounsaturated fat which is known
to lower cholesterol levels, but the antioxidant and biochemical
properties of avocados are less well-recognized. Thee plant nutrients
naturally found in fruits and vegetables work together to reduce oxidative
stress and prevent disease."

Dr. Heber, along with 35 scientists at the UCLA Center for Human
Nutrition, has long endorsed a diet based on 5 to 11 servings per day of a
diverse selection of fruits and vegetables, including the avocado.
Worldwide research demonstrates the high intake of fruits and vegetables is
associated with better health, largely due to their disease-fighting
properties.

The Avocado contains fourteen minerals, all of which
regulate body functions and stimulate growth. Especially noteworthy are
its levels of iron and copper. These minerals aid in red blood cell
regeneration and the prevention of nutritional anemia. Avocados are
also a higher source of potassium than bananas, and contain sodium,
which gives them a high alkaline reaction without all the sugar.

Avocados contain no starch and very little sugar and therfore do not pollute
the blood with the sugar acid but provides a high source of healthy
fats, which can metabolize for energy or construct cellular membranes.
The Avocado is also a great source of portein at 10 to 15
percent.

For all the reasons above, the avocado will be one of
the most important foods that you eat as you balance your endocrine
system or energy system of your body. I encourage anyone who is doing Type
I or Type II diabetes to eat 2 to 3 avocados a day.

This will allow your body to enjoy the protective attributes of
glutathione, lutein and lycopene while receiving a broad spectrum of vitamins,
minerals and healthy fats.

~ By Dr. Robert O. Young, author 'The pH Miracle'