Monthly Archives: April 2011

Selenium and Immune Function

Selenium is an essential trace mineral, needed by the body for the production of a number of selenoproteins. It is becoming clear that dietary intakes of selenium in the general population of Northern Europe, Russia, New Zealand, North America and … Continue reading

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Red Wine and Cardiovascular Disease

Researchers became interested in the health effects associated with drinking red wine because epidemiological studies showed that consumption confers a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Red wine contains a number of polyphenol compounds present in grapes including resveratrol, quercetin and … Continue reading

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Selenium Supplements

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is incorporated into a number of important selenoproteins in the body, such as selenoprotein P, glutathione peroxidase, iodothyronine deiodinase, thioredoxin reductase and selenoprotein W. A full clinical deficiency of selenium is rare and … Continue reading

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Alcohol and Omega 3 Fatty Acids

In the past, alcohol, was associated with ill health, and many healthcare professionals recommended avoidance of alcoholic beverages for health reasons. This stance has changed somewhat with the growing body of research that demonstrated that red wine consumption could decrease … Continue reading

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Free Radicals and Antioxidants

Electrons circle the nucleus of atoms and are usually present in shells as pairs. Free radicals are atoms, usually in molecules (excluding metals), that have electrons that are no longer paired. Free radicals that contain oxygen are referred to as … Continue reading

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Homocysteine and Cognitive Decline

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid produced in the body from the demethylation of the essential amino acid methionine. The B vitamins folate, B6 and B12 are needed to metabolise homocysteine, and if these vitamin are deficient in the diet … Continue reading

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Onions, Garlic and Cancer

Onions (Allium cepa) are garlic (Allium sativum) have been used as healing foods in traditional medicine going back thousands of years. The therapeutic value of onions and garlic, as well as other related allium vegetables, was known to the Egyptians. … Continue reading

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Fructose and Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a condition whereby the glucose uptake mechanisms in cells becomes resistant to the hormone insulin. Also called syndrome X or metabolic syndrome, it is characterised by weight gain and can lead over time to the development of … Continue reading

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Selenium Intakes

Selenium is well absorbed from food with absorption rates being reported to range from 44 to 70%. The high absorption rates of selenium means that optimal selenium status is achievable from food if a high quality diet is consumed. However, … Continue reading

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Bioavailability of Carotenoids

Plants produce a wide range of chemical compounds (phytonutrients) that can have a beneficial effects on human health. Of these the carotenoids are one of the most widely researched. Carotenoids demonstrate a large variety of biological effects, and have been … Continue reading

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