Monthly Archives: April 2012

Kaempferol Absorption

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Kaempferol is a flavonoid that belongs to the sub-group the flavonols. Like most flavonoids, kaempferol has been shown to be biologically active, and likely functions in vivo as an antioxidant on account of its polyphenolic structure. In addition, kaempferol may … Continue reading →

Posted in Flavonoids, Kaempferol | Comments Off on Kaempferol Absorption

Tyrosine and Stress

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Stress has been shown to cause neurochemical and behavioural changes that are related to alterations in the neurotransmitter balance in the brain. During times of stress, catecholamine levels in some brain areas increase, and in other areas there is a … Continue reading →

Posted in L-tyrosine, Stress | Comments Off on Tyrosine and Stress

Zinc Assessment

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Zinc is an important trace mineral that is involved as a co-factor to a large number of enzymes in human metabolism. Zinc is needed because it can act as a catalyst, or can maintain the structure of the enzyme by … Continue reading →

Posted in Zinc | Comments Off on Zinc Assessment

Vegetarian Diets and Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Healthy vegetarian diets contain foods that are generally consumed with a greater frequency compared to a normal mixed diet. Some of these foods are of interest as they may explain differences in the rates of certain disease between vegetarian and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Vegetarian | Comments Off on Vegetarian Diets and Cardiovascular Disease

Nitric Oxide Synthase

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Nitric oxide (NO) is short-lived intracellular signal molecule in mammals, and its known physiological roles include the regulation of blood pressure via its vasodilatory action on the vasculature, the release of insulin, angiogenesis and peristalsis. In mammals, NO synthase is … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood Pressure, Insulin | Comments Off on Nitric Oxide Synthase

Terpenes

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Terpenes are a diverse chemical group of lipid soluble compounds found in plants that is made up of around 30,000 members. Examples include ginkgolides in ginkgo biloba, valerenic acid from Valeriana officialis and ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. They are formed … Continue reading →

Posted in Dementia, Flavonoids, Gingko biloba, Terpenes | Comments Off on Terpenes

Calcium and Weight Loss and Inflammation

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Obesity is increasingly being seen as a condition of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The accumulation of fat stimulates NAPDH oxidase in white adipocytes, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This local oxidative stress in obesity causes … Continue reading →

Posted in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D / Calcitriol, Calcium, Dairy, Vitamin D, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Calcium and Weight Loss and Inflammation

Atrial Fibrillation and Dark Fish

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of stroke, dementia, heart failure and overall mortality. The condition can be permanent or occur in cycle lasting from minutes to days. The condition results from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Fish | Comments Off on Atrial Fibrillation and Dark Fish

Some More on Vitamin K

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Vitamin K is a group of compounds that share a similar structure, namely a 2-methyl 1,4-napthoquinone ring, with an isoprenoid chain. Phylloquinones (vitamin K1) are derived from plants, and some evidence suggest that they are the most important contributor to … Continue reading →

Posted in Vitamin K | Comments Off on Some More on Vitamin K

Weight Loss in Cats

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The results from animal models of human conditions should be treated with caution because of  physiological differences. However, animal models in nutrition have been useful in understanding some conditions when taken in context. Obesity occurs in cats in Western nations … Continue reading →

Posted in Weight Loss | Comments Off on Weight Loss in Cats