Monthly Archives: August 2011

More on Selenium Absorption

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Selenium is an important trace mineral that is incorporated into a number of selenoproteins. Important selenoproteins include glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, iodothyronine deiodinase and selenoprotein-P. Selenium is of interest because evidence suggests that a deficiency of selenium can increase the … Continue reading →

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Homocysteine

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Homocysteine is a non-protein amino acid that is synthesised from the essential amino acid methionine. Excess homocysteine is toxic and has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, dementia and neural tube defects during pregnancy. Homocysteinaemia is a … Continue reading →

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Types of Garlic Supplements

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Garlic has a number of important health benefits that include protection from cardiovascular disease, cancer and infection. However, garlic has a complex chemistry and its biological actions are not fully understood. Despite the numerous health advantages of consuming garlic, many … Continue reading →

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Fish Oil Supplements, Ageing and Mental Function

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The literature is replete with research that indicates dietary supplements can provide benefits not provided by whole foods. This is because modern farming methods, environmental problems, storage conditions, exercise and the stress associated with modern living deplete our bodies and … Continue reading →

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Fish Oils: Fish Versus Capsules

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Fatty fish such as tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, trout and salmon are thought to be beneficial to the health because they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) are both long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids … Continue reading →

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Vitamin C and Abdominal Obesity

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that obesity leads to chronic degenerative disease. The excess fat accumulated during the course of developing obesity is thought to promote oxidative stress and inflammation. The resultant free radicals could damage the endothelium of arteries causing the development … Continue reading →

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Grapes and Cancer

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Fruits and vegetables contain many phytochemicals that have biological effects in humans. Phenolics, glucosinolates, terpenoids, carotenoids and phytoestrogens have all been identified as having possible protective effects against disease. Grapes are a particularly good source of a number of phytonutrients … Continue reading →

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pH and Bone Mineralisation

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Robert Barrington

One of the main functions of the skeleton of humans (and other land vertebrates) is the buffering of metabolic ions (H+) within the blood and interstitial fluid to maintain the pH balance within narrow boundaries. This is possible because the … Continue reading →

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More on Weight Loss

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Obesity is a complex issue because the reasons for weight gain and weight loss are not fully understood. The mainstream concept of weight gain is that energy balance becomes positive on account of too much energy consumed in the form … Continue reading →

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Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Cancer

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), also called alpha-rumenic acid, is a collective term that refers to a mixture of isomers of linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)]. The two double bonds in CLA are separated by a single bond (conjugated) and can be in … Continue reading →

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