Monthly Archives: October 2011

Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Metabolic syndrome (syndrome X) is characterised by the development of insulin resistance, abdominal weight gain and hyperlipidaemia, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle choices are known to be contributory factors in the development of metabolic syndrome. Research1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Fructose, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Sugar, Syndrome X | Comments Off on Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

Oestrogen and Essential Fatty Acids

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) are two long chain fatty acids that are metabolites of the essential fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)). Dietary ALA undergoes a series of elongation and desaturation … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Oestrogen | Comments Off on Oestrogen and Essential Fatty Acids

Trans Fats, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are unsaturated fats with their bonds in the trans configuration. Ruminant meat and milk contain the natural TFA trans-vaccenic acid, although total intakes of this TFA are small. Industrial TFA that are formed during the processing … Continue reading →

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Energy Density of Foods and Satiety

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Humans can maintain body weight over long periods despite fluctuations in daily energy intakes, with regulation occurring via feedback mechanisms that take into account factors such as the weight and volume of the food. Most importantly, regulation occurs through feedback … Continue reading →

Posted in Weight Loss | Comments Off on Energy Density of Foods and Satiety

Lycopene and Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Lycopene is a carotenoid found in high concentrations in tomatoes and tomato products. It is also present in apricots, pink grapefruit, watermelon and papaya, but these foods tend not to be eaten in large amounts and so are not important … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Carotenoids, Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Zeaxanthin | Comments Off on Lycopene and Cardiovascular Disease

Metabolic Effects of Caffeine

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Research has shown that tea is able to cause weight loss in those who regularly consume it, and some of this effect is known to be because of the caffeine it contains. It is also known that coffee is able … Continue reading →

Posted in Caffeine, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Metabolic Effects of Caffeine

The Danish Fat Tax

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The Danish government has recently implemented a tax on all foods that contain over 2.3 % saturated fat. According to government ministers the aim is to persuade against buying such foods in an effort to curb the growing amount of obesity … Continue reading →

Posted in Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Saturated Fatty Acids, Weight Loss | Comments Off on The Danish Fat Tax

Vitamin E Bioavailability

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Vitmain E is a group of chemicals that all share the same biological activity as α-tocopherol and are able to reverse deficiency symptoms. Vitamin E is also an important antioxidant that protects lipid membranes from oxidation. The evidence that vitamin … Continue reading →

Posted in Tocopherols, Vitamin E | Comments Off on Vitamin E Bioavailability

DXA Versus BIA

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Being able to accurately assess body fat levels is an important tool for health care professionals as well as trainers and coaches in the sporting arena. Methods have therefore been created that are able to measure levels of body fat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Body Fat, Weight Loss | Comments Off on DXA Versus BIA

Fish Oil Consumption in British Men and Women

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The n-3 fatty acids docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) found in fatty fish have been shown to possess a number of important health benefits, particularly the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Because of this, researchers … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Lipoic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish Oils | Comments Off on Fish Oil Consumption in British Men and Women