Monthly Archives: March 2013

High Protein Low Carbohydrate Diets Cause Weight Loss?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that high protein low carbohydrate diets are effective at causing weight loss when compared to higher carbohydrate lower protein equivalents. High protein diets may be beneficial during weight loss because they improve nitrogen retention and therefore are more … Continue reading →

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Glycaemic Index: A Measure of Food Quality?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The glycaemic index is a measure of the rise in plasma glucose following consumption of a carbohydrate food, with white bread or glucose as the reference food given a value of 100. Each carbohydrate food can be given a value … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbohydrate, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Fibre, Glycaemic Index, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Protein | Comments Off on Glycaemic Index: A Measure of Food Quality?

Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Metabolism

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is an essential fatty acid that is required for human health. The main dietary sources of ALA are plant material such as flaxseeds, hemp seeds, green leafy vegetables and walnuts, although other seeds and nuts … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Hemp, Walnuts | Comments Off on Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Metabolism

Childhood Obesity: More Behavioural Factors

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Robert Barrington

It is becoming increasingly clear that obesity is not caused primarily by a simple energy imbalance. Serious metabolic dysfunction characterised by insulin resistance, that results in modification to normal physiological processes, has been identified in obese individuals and reported in … Continue reading →

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Seven Day Very Low Calorie Diet: Metabolic Effects

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The failure rate in those that use energy restriction as a mechanism to lose body fat is high. Studies that have investigated weight loss through calorie restriction have generally reported successful initial results, but most of the subjects tend to … Continue reading →

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Is the Brain a Digestive Organ?

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The perceived energy content of foods is predictive of the self-reported appetite sensations elicited thereafter. Further, sensory experience, which may include the visual appeal of packaging, the aroma, or the associations drawn through advertising and branding, are known to affect … Continue reading →

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Flaxseeds: Problem Solved?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) required to form a number of important short-lived anti-inflammatory compounds in humans. Theoretically, ALA can be elongated and desaturated to eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eggs, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, HDL, Heart Disease, Inflammation | Comments Off on Flaxseeds: Problem Solved?

Sugar Sweetened Drinks: A Major Cause of Obesity?

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Robert Barrington

High intakes of fructose in animals causes insulin resistance and leads to metabolic abnormalities that result in hyperlipidaemia and weight gain. Evidence also suggest that high fructose intakes are able to cause insulin resistance and weight gain in humans. Fructose … Continue reading →

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Vitamin E Structure: Further Down the Rabbit Hole

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The nomenclature for vitamin E can be confusing because the term vitamin E refers to a group of closely related compounds that share biological activity. Vitamin E is therefore a group of vitamers, the main subdivisions of which are α-, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tocopherol Transfer Protein (TTP), Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Vitamin E | Comments Off on Vitamin E Structure: Further Down the Rabbit Hole

Does Tea Prevent Parkinson’s Disease?

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, but its aetiology is not fully understood. Parkinson’s disease is characterised by degeneration of the dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Treatments for involve administration of synthetic L-dopa, … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Brain, Caffeine, Catechin, Coffee, Flavan-3-ols, Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress, Tea | Comments Off on Does Tea Prevent Parkinson’s Disease?