Monthly Archives: November 2011

Intergenerational Obesity

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Parental obesity increases the risk of obesity developing in their offspring. The exact cause of this is not known, but it is likely that both genetic and environmental components play a part. Genetic factors have been identified, but socioeconomic status … Continue reading →

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Benefits from Increasing Protein and Fibre

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Western diets generally contain too much refined carbohydrates, in the form of bread and cereals. Refined carbohydrates have been increased at the expense of whole grain carbohydrates many of which are also good sources of vegetable proteins. Evidence suggests that … Continue reading →

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Potato Snacks and Inflammation

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Acrylamide is a chemical that is found in high concentrations in potato snacks, breakfast cereals and some crisp bread products. Acrylamide can form when heat treatment during manufacturing causes reactions between the free amino acid asparagine and the carbonyl group … Continue reading →

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Chronic Inflammation and Adiposity

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The link between poor physical fitness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease is not fully understood, but may be mediated through the accumulation of body fat. Evidence is accumulating that obese individuals have chronic systemic chronic inflammation and that this … Continue reading →

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More on ALA, EPA and DHA

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Evidence is accumulating that alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) has different physiological effects to eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3). Alpha linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid because it is vital to health … Continue reading →

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More on Obesity and Inflammation

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that systemic inflammation is associated with obesity, and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and all cause mortality. In particular, it is known that proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor … Continue reading →

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Food and Blood Pressure Changes

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Blood pressure has been traditionally measured in medicine because it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure is thought to lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because the condition signifies an underlying metabolic or … Continue reading →

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Zinc Protects DNA?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Zinc is an essential trace mineral in humans, second only to iron in its abundance. Zinc plays an important role as a metal co-factor in a number of metalloproteins, some of which are enzymes. Within these proteins, zinc can function … Continue reading →

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Bite Size and Chewing Time

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Robert Barrington

It is becoming clear that the traditional advice to reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure is not able to produce long-term weight loss in many individuals. Recent research suggests that obesity is caused by a combination of metabolic imbalance … Continue reading →

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Meat, Fish and Dementia

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Fatty fish is high in the long chain fatty acids docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) that have been shown to have health benefits. In particular, DHA and EPA are able to inhibit inflammation because … Continue reading →

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