Monthly Archives: March 2012

Quercetin Absorption

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Flavonoids occur naturally in nature in their glucoside form, and the attachment of a sugar moiety greatly reduces their hydrophobic properties which may have implications for their absorption. Quercetin is a flavonoid that belongs to the sub-category of flavonols, and … Continue reading →

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Anthocyanin Absorption

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Epidemiological evidence suggests that flavonoids are beneficial to the health and may protect from cancer and cardiovascular disease, in particular. However, controversy surrounds their mechanism of action, because the route of absorption, in vivo chemistry and cellular interactions are not … Continue reading →

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More on Choline, Betaine and Homocysteine

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Raised plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine are known to damage tissues and are a risk factor for dementia, cardiovascular disease and bone fractures. Homocysteine is synthesised in humans from the essential amino acid methionine and under normal physiological … Continue reading →

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Fructose and Fatty Acid Synthesis

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Consumption of unrefined whole grains are associated with beneficial health effects, whereas refined simple sugars are associated with disease. In particular, high intakes of fructose are suspected of playing a role in the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and … Continue reading →

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Short Chain Fatty Acids in the Colon

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Undigested carbohydrate reaching the colon can be absorbed to a certain extent, but its fate is generally to be converted to short chain fatty acids (SCFA) by the colonic microflora. This undigested carbohydrate will include some simple sugars and polysaccharides, … Continue reading →

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A Note of Caution on Flavonoids

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Flavonoids can act as reducing agent in vitro, and from these cell studies, it is often assumed that flavonoids have an antioxidant activity in vivo. However, this line of reasoning is flawed for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is … Continue reading →

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Copper and Zinc Interactions

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Interactions between zinc ions (Zn2+) and other divalent cations such as iron (Fe2+), calcium (Ca2+) and copper (Cu2+) may interfere with normal mineral metabolism. The exact interactions between zinc and copper in the gastrointestinal tract are not known, but there … Continue reading →

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More on Insulin Resistance

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Insulin resistance is a condition where the sensitivity of the insulin receptor is reduced and the cellular responses caused by an increase in blood sugar become abnormally blunted. Insulin resistance is associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and metabolic syndrome … Continue reading →

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More on Polyphenols and Cancer

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Epidemiological case-control studies suggest that polyphenols have anti-cancer effects. Tea has been extensively researched and cell culture studies have shown positive results, but questions remain over the high concentrations needed to elicit effects in cell models. Other polyphenols have also … Continue reading →

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Metabolic Syndrome and Fatty Liver

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Metabolic syndrome is characterised by abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance and blood lipid changes, as well as increased systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. The cause of metabolic syndrome is unclear, but evidence suggests that low quality, high-calorie diets are associated with … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, Fructose, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols | Comments Off on Metabolic Syndrome and Fatty Liver