Monthly Archives: December 2012

Methylmercury in Fish

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Research shows that fatty fish containing the long chain marine polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) are beneficial to the health, and may reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia. … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fish, Fish Oils, Methyl Mercury, Pregnancy | Comments Off on Methylmercury in Fish

More on Beta Glucan

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that fibre is beneficial to the health because it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This effect may be due to the blood sugar stabilising effects of the fibre which reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, a known … Continue reading →

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More Evidence of Vitamin Deficiencies

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Robert Barrington

With the availability of high quality nutrition and access to vitamin and mineral supplements, evidence of vitamin deficiencies should be absent from Western nations. However, reports of vitamin and mineral deficiencies continue to accumulate. In addition, a new classification of … Continue reading →

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Vitamin B6 for Depression?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The B vitamins are needed for energy production because they are required as cofactors in a number of key enzymes in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle such as pyruvate carboxylase (biotin), pyruvate dehydrogenase (riboflavin and thiamine) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase … Continue reading →

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Benefits to a Low Glycaemic Breakfast?

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The perception is sometimes that health benefits require drastic changes to nutritional intake, and this can create a psychological barrier for those wishing to adhere to a higher quality diet. However, a number of studies have shown important health benefits … Continue reading →

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Homocysteine and Endothelial Dysfunction

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Elevated plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is thought to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease because it is able to increase endothelial dysfunction in the arteries and cause athrogenesis. However, it is unknown if this … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Cardiovascular Disease, Endothelial Dysfunction, Homocysteine, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Comments Off on Homocysteine and Endothelial Dysfunction

Arabino-xylooligosaccharides as Prebiotics?

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates, that are able to act as a food source for colonic microorganisms and favourably influence populations of beneficial bacteria. Fructooligsaccharides (FOS) have been extensively studied for their prebiotic effects and beneficial properties have been reported. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Colonic Microflora, Fibre, Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Immune System | Comments Off on Arabino-xylooligosaccharides as Prebiotics?

Vitamin C and Vitamin E Have Synergistic Effects on Glucose Metabolism

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Vitamin C and vitamin E are important water and fat soluble vitamins in humans, respectively. Because of their antioxidant effects, both vitamins decrease systemic oxidation and are therefore beneficial against diseases characterised by oxidative stress. Both vitamin C and vitamin … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Elderly, Insulin Resistance, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Comments Off on Vitamin C and Vitamin E Have Synergistic Effects on Glucose Metabolism

Fibre Does Not Delay Gastric Emptying

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that high fibre diets can lower postprandial glycaemia. This effect is thought to come from a decrease in the rate of absorption of the digestible component of the carbohydrate, which flattens the blood glucose curve and decreases the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beta glucans, Fibre, Glycaemic Index, Glycaemic load, Oats (Avena sativa) | Comments Off on Fibre Does Not Delay Gastric Emptying

Mediterranean Diet and Calcium Utilisation

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Studies demonstrating the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are accumulating in the scientific literature. Most research has focused specifically on the benefits provided by the antioxidants contained within the diet. However, the diet may have beneficial effects not related … Continue reading →

Posted in Bone Health, Calcium, Mediterranean Diet, pH Balance | Comments Off on Mediterranean Diet and Calcium Utilisation