Monthly Archives: March 2013

Eggs and Cardiovascular Disease: A Research Dead End

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Certain plasma lipoproteins are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In particular, elevated levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the small dense fraction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) are biomarkers used to attribute risk of cardiovascular … Continue reading →

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Legumes Lower Plasma Cholesterol: More Data

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Elevated plasma levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the small dense sub-fraction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary legumes from the Fabinaceae family of plants have been extensively investigated … Continue reading →

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Diet Drinks: The Aspartame Fallacy

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Data suggests that the increased rates of obesity seen in Western nations mirror the increase in the consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks, particularly those containing high fructose corn syrup. In response to criticism, the manufacturers of soft drink have … Continue reading →

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Long Chain Fatty Acids: Mood Enhancers?

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Fish contains two important dietary n-3 long-chain fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)). These fatty acids accumulate in plasma membranes where they may increase membrane fluidity, and can also influence cellular function through … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Brain, Depression, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil | Comments Off on Long Chain Fatty Acids: Mood Enhancers?

Beans and Oats: Cholesterol Lowering Master Class

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The statins are a group of drugs that inhibit the rate limiting enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) in the cholesterol synthesis pathway in humans. The medical establishment claims that statins are effective at lowering elevated plasma lipoprotein levels, particularly low density lipoprotein, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beans, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Fibre, HDL, IDL, LDL, Lipoprotein(a), Oats (Avena sativa), VLDL | Comments Off on Beans and Oats: Cholesterol Lowering Master Class

Essential Knowledge: Fatty Acids

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Plants possess two enzymes, Δ12-desaturase and Δ15-desaturase, that allow the synthesis of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) and α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)), respectively. The Δ12-desaturase enzyme adds a double bond to a molecule of oleic acid (OA, C18:1 (n-9)) … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Docosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosatraenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Stearidonic Acid | Comments Off on Essential Knowledge: Fatty Acids

Dietary Fibre: Cholesterol Lowering Effects

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Previously it was considered that dietary cholesterol and saturated fat were the cause of elevated plasma lipoproteins, but this has since proven to be false. More recent evidence suggests that consumption of high intakes of refined carbohydrates and sugars causes … Continue reading →

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Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides: Beneficial Sugars?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Arabinoxylan (AX) is a major hemicellulose fibre component of cereal grains, which makes up around 15 to 30 % of the bran layer and around 1 to 3 % of the endosperm. The polysaccharide is a copolymer of the pentose … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides, Colonic Microflora, Fibre, Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Galacto-oligosaccharides | Comments Off on Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides: Beneficial Sugars?

Alpha Linolenic Acid: Is it Beneficial to the Heart?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The essential fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is required for human health because it enters the metabolic pathway that synthesises hormones required to regulate cellular inflammation and immunity. Flaxseeds and walnuts are good sources of ALA but smaller … Continue reading →

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Green Tea: Health Secret of the East

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Green tea has been extensively researched, and evidence suggests that it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cognitive dysfunction. Epidemiological studies and clinical trials suggest that green tea is protective of disease due to its high content … Continue reading →

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