Monthly Archives: March 2013

Obesity: Inflammatory Condition

In recent years it has become apparent that obesity is not a normal physiological response to a positive energy balance as was traditionally believed. Based on evidence in the literature, obesity should now be considered a condition of low-grade chronic … Continue reading

Posted in C-Reactive Protein, Calcium, Cardiovascular Disease, Chromium, Essential Fatty Acids, Fibre, Immune System, Inflammation, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Obesity: Inflammatory Condition

Delta 6-desaturase: The Essential Fatty Acid Roadblock

Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) are precursors to a number of important signal molecules that are required for cell function. These long-chain fatty acids accumulate in cell membranes and are then used by the … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Docosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosatraenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Immune System, Inflammation, Linoleic Acid, Stearidonic Acid | Comments Off on Delta 6-desaturase: The Essential Fatty Acid Roadblock

Selenium Insufficiency: Silent Killer?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral required for human health. Deficiency of selenium is associated the development of myalgia, cardiac myopathy, increased cell fragility and pancreatic degeneration, which can cause Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck’s disease. Selenium deficiency is rare in … Continue reading

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Alpha Linolenic Acid: Has it Become Irrelevant?

Humans lack the Δ15-destaurase enzyme necessary for the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) to α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)). However, plants possess Δ15-destaurase and some plant foods are therefore good sources of ALA. In humans, plant derived ALA … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Hemp | Comments Off on Alpha Linolenic Acid: Has it Become Irrelevant?

Essential Fatty Acids: The Ratio is the Key

The fatty acids α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) are essential in animals including humans, and therefore required in the diet. Deficiency of either fatty acid causes disease and death. Both fatty acids are converted … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Linoleic Acid, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Essential Fatty Acids: The Ratio is the Key

Television and Obesity: Confusing Cause and Effect?

Obesity is a serious concern because of the increased morbidity and mortality associated with adiposity. The traditional view of obesity is that lethargy and greed cause a positive energy balance, and this over the long-term translates into weight gain and … Continue reading

Posted in Energy Expenditure, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Television, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Television and Obesity: Confusing Cause and Effect?

Plasma Lipoproteins: A Primer

Elevated levels of certain plasma lipoproteins are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Measurements of the levels of these lipoproteins are considered reliable biomarkers for assessing cardiovascular risk by the mainstream medical establishment. However, the nutritional biochemistry of … Continue reading

Posted in Cholesterol, Chylomicrons, Fatty Acids, HDL, IDL, LDL, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols, VLDL | Comments Off on Plasma Lipoproteins: A Primer

Total Cholesterol: Pointless Biomarker?

The diet heart hypothesis states that dietary cholesterol is the cause of elevated plasma cholesterol and this in turn causes cardiovascular disease. Over the last two decades the nutritional sciences have demolished this theory which can no longer be regarded … Continue reading

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EPA and DHA: Regulators of Desaturase Expression

Understanding genetic defects and their effects on metabolic pathways can be useful in the nutritional sciences. This is because diet can influence enzyme activity to a similar extent as genes. For example, Kilmer McCully identified homocysteine as a causative factor … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish Oils | Comments Off on EPA and DHA: Regulators of Desaturase Expression

Plant Stanols and Sterols: More Cholesterol Myths Exposed

Plants contain a rich cocktail of biochemical compounds, many of which have been shown to interact with mammalian physiology. Plant sterols and stanols are two such groups of compounds that are bioactive in humans and animals. Stanols and sterols have … Continue reading

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, LDL, Sterols and Stanols | Comments Off on Plant Stanols and Sterols: More Cholesterol Myths Exposed