Monthly Archives: December 2016

Flavonoids For Disease Prevention

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compound present in plants as secondary metabolites (meaning they are synthesised for purposes other than primary metabolic activity). Many edible and commonly consumed plants contain flavonoids, and as a result human consumption of flavonoids … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechin, Epicatechin, Flavan-3-ols, Flavonoids, Flavonols | Comments Off on Flavonoids For Disease Prevention

Sodium, Potassium and Blood Pressure

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Cardiovascular disease is often accompanied by blood pressure increases, which likely contribute to the pathology of the disease. One nutritional strategy that is often suggested to counter these rises is a reduction in sodium intake. The traditional medical view is … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood Pressure, Endothelial Dysfunction, Potassium, Salt, Sodium | Comments Off on Sodium, Potassium and Blood Pressure

Quercetin and Epicatechin

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Flavonoid rich foods such as tea, red wine and cocoa are increasingly being seen as beneficial to the health. Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds that possess in vitro antioxidant capabilities, and may confer antioxidant capacity to animal tissue … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechin, Epicatechin, Flavan-3-ols, Quercetin, Tea | Comments Off on Quercetin and Epicatechin

Dietary Improvements Can Lower Cardiovascular Risk by One Third

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Robert Barrington

The effect of poor quality diet on cardiovascular disease is now fair well established. Refined and processed carbohydrates, particularly refined crystalline sugars and refined grains, cause a desensitisation in the insulin receptor and this causes insulin resistance. As insulin resistance … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, High Quality Diet | Comments Off on Dietary Improvements Can Lower Cardiovascular Risk by One Third

Alcohol: To Your Good Health!

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Current mainstream medical advice is to limit alcohol intake. However, these recommendations are controversial as much higher intakes than are recommended appear to be protective of health. While overconsumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with a deterioration of health, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Beer, Cardiovascular Disease, Cider, Red Wine, Wine | Comments Off on Alcohol: To Your Good Health!

Natural Versus Trans Fats

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Dairy, HDL, LDL, Trans Fatty Acids, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols, VLDL | Comments Off on Natural Versus Trans Fats

L-Theanine

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Robert Barrington
Posted in L-theanine, Tea | Comments Off on L-Theanine

Sulphate For Joints

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Glucosamine, Joint Health, Sulfur | Comments Off on Sulphate For Joints

Does Drinking Water Increase Metabolic Rate?

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Water is an essential component of human health, and studies suggest that water consumption, in its pure form, is decreasing as other beverages become cheaper and more widely available. Water is required by cells in order to maintain the aqueous … Continue reading →

Posted in Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Water, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Does Drinking Water Increase Metabolic Rate?

Are Low L-Tryptophan Levels a Cause of Aggression?

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Robert Barrington

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid required for normal human metabolic regulation. There is current interest in L-tryptophan because it has been shown that low levels of plasma tryptophan may be involved in the development of depression. This relates to … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain, L-tryptophan, Serotonin | Comments Off on Are Low L-Tryptophan Levels a Cause of Aggression?