Monthly Archives: October 2014

Guar Gum and Locust Bean Gum: Lower Plasma Cholesterol Levels

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Guar gum, locust bean gum and other viscous legume fibres may have beneficial effects at lowering levels of plasma lipids. The reason for this is not known, but may relate to the ability of the fibres to slow the absorption … Continue reading →

Posted in Beans, Cholesterol, Fibre, Guar Gum, LDL, Lipoproteins | Comments Off on Guar Gum and Locust Bean Gum: Lower Plasma Cholesterol Levels

More On Zinc Absorption: High Intakes Reduce Absorption

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The Western diet is devoid of meaningful levels of many of the essential micronutrients. In particular zinc is often highlighted as being deficient from the diet of many Westerners. Studies analysing zinc status do show that known biomarkers for zinc … Continue reading →

Posted in Micronutrients, Trace Minerals, Zinc | Comments Off on More On Zinc Absorption: High Intakes Reduce Absorption

Remember The Fat Blockers? Leaky Gut Showdown

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Robert Barrington

In the 1980s the obesity epidemic was in full swing in both the United States and other Western countries including the United Kingdom. In response the medical community, driven by its paymasters in big pharma, was desperate to find a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fat, Fat Blockers, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Remember The Fat Blockers? Leaky Gut Showdown

More On Soya and Plasma Lipoproteins

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Soybeans are legumes and as such they share many of the health benefits with seeds (pulses) from other leguminous plants. In particular, soybeans have attracted attention because of their ability to modulate plasma lipoproteins favourably. This effect is not unique … Continue reading →

Posted in Cholesterol, Lipoproteins, Protein, Pulses / Legumes, Soy, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols | Comments Off on More On Soya and Plasma Lipoproteins

The Glycaemic Index

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Carbohydrate, Glycaemia, Glycaemic Index, Glycaemic load | Comments Off on The Glycaemic Index

Copper And Sucrose Interactions: It’s The Fructose Again

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Fructose is known to alter long chain fatty acid metabolism in mammals. In particular, fructose increase the production of triglycerides in the liver through the de novo lipogenesis pathway and also through a stimulation of the desaturation of stearic acid … Continue reading →

Posted in Copper, Fructose, Sucrose | Comments Off on Copper And Sucrose Interactions: It’s The Fructose Again

Butter Fat As An Alternative To Coconut Fat

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The coconut is unique amongst plants in that it contains a high amount of saturated fat. Most other plant fats in contrast are polyunsaturated or monounsaturated in their structure. Coconut is also a fairly unique food because the saturated fats … Continue reading →

Posted in Butter, Coconut, Fat, Fatty Acids, Medium Chain Triglycerides | Comments Off on Butter Fat As An Alternative To Coconut Fat

The Two Best Natural Testosterone Boosters

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Testosterone is an important hormone for muscle growth and as a result athletes are often interested in optimising levels to improve physical performance and body composition. There are a number of substances that are available as supplements that manufacturers claim … Continue reading →

Posted in Skeletal Muscle, Testosterone | Comments Off on The Two Best Natural Testosterone Boosters

Zinc Deficiency and Growth

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Zinc is a cofactor to a large number of enzymes in human metabolism and is therefore an essential nutrient. Deficiency of zinc causes reproductive, immune and growth problems in mammals including humans. The role of zinc in the growth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Zinc | Comments Off on Zinc Deficiency and Growth

The Decline of Fibre Intake In the West

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Fibre should really be a conditionally essential nutrient. When carbohydrates are present in the diet, fibre is essential to prevent detrimental glycaemic effects that can cause metabolic deterioration and weight gain. Fibre is also required for gut health and an … Continue reading →

Posted in Fibre | Comments Off on The Decline of Fibre Intake In the West