Monthly Archives: February 2013

Magnesium and Stroke

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that large numbers of individuals in Western nations do not obtain sufficient magnesium in their diets. This is concerning because magnesium has been shown to play a beneficial role in maintaining the correct function of the cardiovascular system. … Continue reading →

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More on Childhood Obesity

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Childhood obesity rates are concerning because the future health implications of being overweight for so long are not known. Understandably, researchers have been interested in understanding the causes of childhood obesity. The traditional view that weight gain is caused by … Continue reading →

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Red Wine: Alcohol and Polyphenols Both Beneficial to Health

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Red wine is a complex chemical mixture of plant metabolites and ethanol, the exact composition of which is still not understood. Epidemiological evidence suggests that red wine is beneficial to the health, and in particular consumption has been shown to … Continue reading →

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Natural trans Fats

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Research suggests that consumption of artificial trans fatty acids (TFAs) in hydrogenated vegetable products and deodorised supermarket oils is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Further, although intakes of TFAs are dropping, no safe lower limit is know … Continue reading →

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Does Leptin Regulate Appetite?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Leptin acts as a feedback signal to the hypothalamus to decrease appetite and increase metabolic rate as adipose tissue accumulates. Administration of leptin to ob/ob leptin deficient mice causes dramatic reductions in body weight. From these results it was hoped … Continue reading →

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Benefits to Increased Meal Frequency

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Stabilisation of plasma glucose concentrations appears to be one of the pivotal requirements for weight loss. In clinical trials, increased protein and fibre intakes have both been shown to cause weight loss in overweight individuals, and this effect is likely … Continue reading →

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Soft Drinks and Fat Accumulation

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The association between sucrose and obesity has been extensively investigated and compelling evidence suggests that even small intakes of sucrose can significantly increase adipose tissue accumulation. Soft drinks that are sweetened with sugar are particularly harmful to health because they … Continue reading →

Posted in Fructose, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Sucrose | Comments Off on Soft Drinks and Fat Accumulation

Bone Metabolism and Insulin Resistance

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The complexity of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance is highlighted by recent findings that the vitamin K dependent protein osteocalcin, is involved in energy metabolism, adiposity and glucose homeostasis. Bone tissue may play a role in glucose metabolism because … Continue reading →

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