Monthly Archives: November 2012

Dairy, Calcium and Weight Loss

Evidence from epidemiology shows and inverse association between dairy intake and body weight. That this effect might be due to the calcium content of dairy is supported by a similar inverse association between calcium and body weight. The mechanisms by … Continue reading

Posted in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D / Calcitriol, Calcium, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Dairy, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Dairy, Calcium and Weight Loss

More on Glycaemic Index

The glycaemic index (GI) is a measure of the rise in blood glucose (area under the curve) caused by a particular carbohydrate food, compared to the standard food, white bread (and expressed as a ratio). High GI foods are increasingly … Continue reading

Posted in Breakfast, Gelatinisation, Oats (Avena sativa), Obesity, Starch, Wheat | Comments Off on More on Glycaemic Index

Are Docosahexanoic Acid Intakes Too Low?

Long chain polyunsaturated acids from fish are required for the correct development of the brain and retinal in infants and children. In particular, docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) has been researched with respect to central nervous system growth in early … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Brain, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid | Comments Off on Are Docosahexanoic Acid Intakes Too Low?

Cinnamon and Diabetes

Insulin resistance is considered a major metabolic change associated with the development of the metabolic syndrome, which can increase the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is caused by a down regulation of the cellular insulin cascade, … Continue reading

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More on Zinc Absorption

Zinc is an important trace mineral that is required as a co-factor by more enzymes than any other metal. Zinc plays an important role in the immune and reproductive system, and evidence suggests that Western diets are too low in … Continue reading

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Magnesium and Bone Health

Based on the volume of research, calcium is the most commonly associated mineral with bone formation, structure and health. But bone is a complex composite that contains a number of essential minerals. The skeleton can act as a reservoir for … Continue reading

Posted in Bone Health, Calcium, Magnesium, Parathyroid Hormone, Vitamin D | Comments Off on Magnesium and Bone Health

Adherence to Dietary Changes

Evidence suggests that calorie restricted diets are not successful at causing long-term weight loss due to poor attrition and compliance rates. Rather, changing the quality of the diet without energy restriction, to incorporate higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fibre, whole … Continue reading

Posted in Mediterranean Diet, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Adherence to Dietary Changes

Calcium and Blood Pressure

The role of sodium in the development of hypertension has been overstated. While sodium does play a role in the regulation of blood pressure in some individuals, those not sensitive to its effects are not affected by dietary levels. Although … Continue reading

Posted in Blood Pressure, Calcium, Dairy, Fruit, Magnesium, Potassium, Vegetables | Comments Off on Calcium and Blood Pressure

Zinc and Immunity

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is known to be a co-factor for more enzymes than all the other metals combined. With such a wide range of enzymes dependent on zinc for their function, the metabolic roles for zinc … Continue reading

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Reducing Glycaemic Load

Carbohydrates play a role in the development of obesity and diabetes. In particular, high intakes of refined carbohydrates, particularly disaccharides and monosaccharides, are associated with increased glycaemia, insulin release, and the development of blood sugar disorders than can contribute to … Continue reading

Posted in Amylase, Beans, Carbohydrate, Diabetes, Fibre, Glycaemic Index, Glycaemic load, Insulin, Starch, Sucrose, Sugar | Comments Off on Reducing Glycaemic Load