Monthly Archives: January 2014

Zinc Absorption: Delayed By Protein

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  Increasingly, the Western diet is being shown to cause zinc deficiencies. This is concerning because zinc has an important role to play as a cofactor to many human proteins. The factors that that affect zinc absorption are therefore of … Continue reading →

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Vitamin B6 Supplements in Pregnancy

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  We are told by medical experts that vitamin supplements are not necessary and we acquire all the nutrients we need from food. In fact the more cynical amongst us may claim that there is even the possibility of a … Continue reading →

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Forced Calorie Restrictive Diets: Bad Idea

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  Most trying to lose weight believe that they must use forced calorie restrictive diets to be successful. This is based on the tired old ‘eat-too-much, do-too-little’ hypothesis of weight gain. Most such restrictive diets are successful short term and … Continue reading →

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Thermic Effect Of Food and Energy Expenditure

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  The thermic effect of food (TEF) is the postprandial rise in energy expenditure that is due to the processing of ingested food. It was first shown by Seguin and Lavoisier in 1793 when they measured an increase in oxygen … Continue reading →

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Energy Expenditure In More Detail

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  Daily energy expenditure is composed of three main components, the resting metabolic rate (RMR), the thermic effect of food (TEF) and the thermic effect of activity (TEA). The resting metabolic rate is the energy required by the body to … Continue reading →

Posted in Insulin Resistance, Leptin, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Energy Expenditure In More Detail

Tyrosine Hydroxylase: The Obesity Connection

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  The catecholamines are a group of neurotransmitters that comprise of the chemicals dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. They are synthesised and released by nerves of the adrenergic pathways. Adrenergic pathways activate the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Therefore … Continue reading →

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Obesity: Metabolic Dysfunction or Laziness?

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The association between exercise and body weight is fairly well established in the nutritional literature. Generally those who perform more physical activity have lower body weights. However, the cause and effect of this association are far from clear, with indications … Continue reading →

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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver: Fructose Again

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Nonalcoholic fatty liver is a condition characterised by lipid deposits in and around hepatic tissue. In this respect it shows similarity to alcoholic fatty liver which is caused by excessive long term alcohol intake. Fructose overconsumption is implicated in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Abdominal Obesity, Liver, Metabolic Syndrome, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Syndrome X | Comments Off on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver: Fructose Again

Does Exercise Really Cause Weight Loss?

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Ask anyone who exercises regularly and the chances are they will claim that physical activity plays a major role in keeping them lean. The same people when asked about the obese will often suggest they are lazy because they do … Continue reading →

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The Western Diet: The Cause of Obesity?

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The Western diet is characterised by high intakes of refined carbohydrates including sugar, omega 6 fats, saturated fats and processed meats. In addition to this it contains low amounts of micronutrients, fibre and omega 3 oils. Extensive research has invested … Continue reading →

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