Monthly Archives: August 2015

Why Are Walnuts Cardioprotective?

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Walnuts are nutritionally interesting. Like most nuts, walnuts are a good source of fibre, are high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates. Walnuts also contain high concentrations of vitamin and minerals, although the mineral content is dependent on … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Ellagic Acid, Endothelial Dysfunction, HDL, LDL, Nuts, Walnuts | Comments Off on Why Are Walnuts Cardioprotective?

More Evidence Of Low Quality Diets In The Obese

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Many people who should know better are still lost in old nutritional paradigms. One such paradigm states that overeating is the cause of obesity. Proponents of such a belief, who include that vast majority of the mainstream medical establishment, assume … Continue reading →

Posted in Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Weight Loss, Western Diet | Comments Off on More Evidence Of Low Quality Diets In The Obese

Proteases in Fruit: Actinidin

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Robert Barrington

A number of fruit are known to contain high concentrations of protein digesting enzymes. These fruit include the pineapple, papaya and kiwifruit. The role of the proteases in the fruit is likely a ripening aid, as protease levels rise during … Continue reading →

Posted in Actinidin, Digestion and Absorption, Kiwifruit (Kiwi Fruit), Proteases, Protein | Comments Off on Proteases in Fruit: Actinidin

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Epigenetics

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Epigenetics is the study of how environment can influence genetic regulation. The realisation that foods can alter the genetics of an individual is interesting from a nutritional perspective because it explains the associations between certain nutrients and certain diseases. Contributions … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Epigenetics, Eskimo Diet, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Genes | Comments Off on Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Epigenetics

L-Glutamine and Glycogen Synthesis

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Glutamine is an non-essential amino acid produced in all tissues of the body. However the liver and skeletal muscles are the most important sites of synthesis quantitatively. The role of glutamine in physiological regulation of both skeletal muscle protein and … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, Glycogen, L-glutamine, Liver, Skeletal Muscle | Comments Off on L-Glutamine and Glycogen Synthesis

Three Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Exercise, Selenium, Supplements, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Weight Loss, Western Diet | Comments Off on Three Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition

Avidin: Raw Eggs and Biotin

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Biotin is a member of the B vitamin family of vitamins. Biotin is required in the diet as it is used as a cofactor in the acetyl CoA carboxylase, propionyl CoA carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase enzymes. Plant sources such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Avidin, Biotin, Eggs, Micronutrients | Comments Off on Avidin: Raw Eggs and Biotin

Sugar Sugar Everywhere

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Sugar is increasingly being linked to the development of Western lifestyle diseases including tooth decay, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia and type 2 diabetes. Sugar is detrimental for the health because it contains a molecule of fructose. Refined crystalline fructose … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Fructose, Sucrose, Sugar | Comments Off on Sugar Sugar Everywhere

Homocysteine, Cysteine and Plasma Proteins

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Homocysteine is a product of methionine metabolism. Evidence suggests that high levels of plasma homocysteine are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As methionine metabolism proceeds, homocysteine is produced and this homocysteine is then converted to cysteine or back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Homocysteine, L-cysteine / L-cystine | Comments Off on Homocysteine, Cysteine and Plasma Proteins

Weight Loss Causes Muscle Loss

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The problem with most weight loss diets is that they do not differentiate between weight loss and body fat loss. To most people weight loss is seen as good, while weight gain is seen as bad. However, gaining skeletal muscle … Continue reading →

Posted in Body Fat, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Skeletal Muscle, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Weight Loss Causes Muscle Loss