Monthly Archives: January 2012

More on GLA and Inflammation

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The essential fatty acids α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) play an important role in the formation of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are 20-carbon chemicals that act as local hormones to regulate cellular inflammation. Eicosanoids can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Inflammation | Comments Off on More on GLA and Inflammation

Is Food Addictive?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that both fat and sugar are able to stimulate the dopamine reward pathways of the brain which acts to reinforce the behaviour of future consumption. Therefore fat and sugar have the potential for addiction in those that eat … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, Fat | Comments Off on Is Food Addictive?

Increase Protein for Weight loss Maintenance

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Macronutrient ratios have been extensively investigated in nutritional research, and a growing body of evidence suggests that higher protein and lower carbohydrate diets cause weight loss. This is despite general public health advice that advocates high carbohydrate low protein, low … Continue reading →

Posted in Obesity, Protein, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Increase Protein for Weight loss Maintenance

Important Long Chain Fatty Acids

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Robert Barrington

There are a number of long chain fatty acids that are important to human health (figure 1). The essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) acid and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) cannot be synthesised by humans but are vital … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid | Comments Off on Important Long Chain Fatty Acids

Docosahexanoic Acid and C-Reactive Protein

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Robert Barrington

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known marker of systemic inflammation and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The liver produces of CRP in response to circulating cytokines which are produced under conditions of inflammation and infection. Accumulation of white … Continue reading →

Posted in C-Reactive Protein, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Inflammation | Comments Off on Docosahexanoic Acid and C-Reactive Protein

Viscosity of Drinks and Gut Hormones

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Robert Barrington

A number of gut peptides are known to be involved in inducing a feeling of satiety and reducing further food intake. Many of theses act locally on the gastrointestinal tract, but others enter circulation and act on the central nervous … Continue reading →

Posted in Beta glucans, Cholecystokinin, Fibre, Ghrelin, Glucagon-like Peptide 1, Peptide YY | Comments Off on Viscosity of Drinks and Gut Hormones

The Regulation of Energy Balance

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Despite daily fluctuations in energy intake, energy balance is maintained in humans such that body weight can remain constant for long periods of time. The maintenance of a constant body weight occurs because the body has a sensitive homeostatic feedback … Continue reading →

Posted in Ghrelin, Insulin, Leptin, Peptide YY, Weight Loss | Comments Off on The Regulation of Energy Balance

Dietary Fat and Carbohydrate Restriction

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The mechanisms that underlie obesity are not fully understood and controversy surrounds the biochemical changes that accompany long-term weight gain. Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and one of the possible effects of excessive weight gain is … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols | Comments Off on Dietary Fat and Carbohydrate Restriction

de Novo Lipogenesis and Carbohydrates

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Weight gain and obesity are serious problems in Western nations, mainly because of the health costs involved in treating obesity related diseases. Mainstream advice for losing excess weight is to reduce energy intake and increase energy expenditure in an effort … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, de Novo Lipogenesis, Obesity | Comments Off on de Novo Lipogenesis and Carbohydrates

Fibre and Glycaemic Response

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Higher intakes of both soluble and insoluble fibre are know to lower the risk of developing a number of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The effects of fibre in the diet appear to be multi-factorial, possibly because … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, Diabetes, Fibre, Insulin | Comments Off on Fibre and Glycaemic Response