Monthly Archives: December 2011

Determinants of Plasma Homocysteine

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Homocysteine is a sulphur containing amino acid formed from the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. High levels of homocysteine in the plasma have been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine metabolism depends on a … Continue reading →

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Does Urinary Potassium Predict Diet Quality?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The frequent food questionnaire is considered a reliable research tool that assesses diet quality. However, as with all recorded information, it relies on the subject providing accurate and reliable information. Because of the potential for inaccurate recording, there is a … Continue reading →

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Cod Liver Oil and Type I Diabetes

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterised by destruction of the β-cells of the pancreas during early childhood. There is a known genetic component to the disease (genes in the HLA complex of chromosome 6p21) but the genetic component … Continue reading →

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More on Vitamin D Insufficiency

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Robert Barrington

The primary nutritional focus of mainstream medicine centres on the belief that nutrients prevent deficiency diseases. Recommended intakes of vitamins and minerals have been created to prevent the development of the classic deficiency diseases such as scurvy, beriberi and rickets. … Continue reading →

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Vitamin E Storage

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds, which fit into one of two classes, the tocotrienols and the tocopherols. Each class is composed of four isomers (α, β, γ and δ) which differ based on the location of the … Continue reading →

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Fructose Absorption and Metabolism

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that dietary fructose is involved in the development of obesity. Physiologically, fructose is absorbed and metabolised in a way that lends itself towards the synthesis of fatty acids and the development of insulin resistance. However, the metabolic fate … Continue reading →

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Which Foods are Beneficial to Bone Health?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Mainstream treatment for post menopausal bone loss comprises of calcium, vitamin D and hormone replacement therapy. However, research is growing that diet has a far greater influence of bone health than previously thought. Older studies generally used less reliable methods … Continue reading →

Posted in Acid / Base Balance, Alcohol, Bone Health, Fruit, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Potassium, Vegetables | Comments Off on Which Foods are Beneficial to Bone Health?

Skeletal Health and Protein to Potassium Ratio

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Research suggests skeletal health is damaged by high intakes of acid forming foods in combination with low levels of alkalising foods. The Western diets is generally considered to produce chronic, low grade acidosis and this acidosis is generally believed to … Continue reading →

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Carbohydrate Raises Plasma Triglyceride Levels

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Triglycerides can be present in the plasma from dietary sources packaged in chylomicrons or from endogenously produced fatty acids packaged into very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Plasma VLDL-triglyceride levels are often measured along with other lipoproteins to form lipid profiles … Continue reading →

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Water Soluble Vitamin E Supplements

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Vitamin E comprises of eight isomers (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol) that share a common biological activity. Vitamin E is fat soluble, and this has important implication for its absorption, storage and mechanisms of … Continue reading →

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