Author Archives: Robert Barrington

About Robert Barrington

Robert Barrington is a writer, nutritionist, lecturer and philosopher.

Lunar Cycles and Nutrition

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Circadian rhythms are the natural cycles that occur in humans, and these are known to significantly affect physiological systems, health, physical and mental prowess as well as emotions. These cycles have been studied extensively, and although many observations have been … Continue reading →

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L-Theanine and the Brain

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Robert Barrington

L-theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine) is a non-proteinaceous amino acid that is found in high amounts almost exclusively in tea (Camellia sinensis). In fact, L-theanine accounts for around 50 % of the amino acids in tea leaves. L-theanine is structurally similar to glutamic … Continue reading →

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Glycine

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Glycine is the simplest and smallest amino acid and is the only amino acid in human nutrition that does not show chirality. Glycine plays a number of important roles in human metabolism, including as a substrate for the cellular antioxidant … Continue reading →

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Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Foods: Eye Health

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that have a particular role to play in human health. Both compounds accumulate in the macula of the eye, and here they protect the retina and other parts from free radicals through their antioxidant activity. … Continue reading →

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Chlorophyll in Human Nutrition

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Chlorophyll is one of the most ubiquitous chemicals in the human diet and makes up a considerable amount of the micronutrient intake when a high plant food diet is eaten. Chlorophyll is a pigment in plants that is structurally similar … Continue reading →

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The Functions of Glycine

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Glycine represents around 11.5 % of the total amino acids in humans and roughly 20 % of the nitrogen from amino acids in proteins. However, glycine is not essential because it can be synthesised from other chemicals including choline, glyoxylate … Continue reading →

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The Temporal Component of Food

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Unless considerable time and effort is spent learning about nutrition, the superficial viewpoint will never fully uncover the secrets it possesses. One great example of this is how the nutritional component within foods change over time. Looking at a particular … Continue reading →

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Edible Flowers

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Flower petals are brightly coloured as the purpose of the petals is to attract insects that can pollinate the plant. The plant uses a variety of phytochemicals to colour its petals and some of these have interesting nutritional properties. Two … Continue reading →

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How Costly is Chicken and Fish Farming?

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Chicken and salmon farming both have considerable environmental impacts when compared to more sustainable plant based practices of agriculture. Studies show that chicken farming is more efficient when compared to salmon farming and also cod fishing with a trawler. This … Continue reading →

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The Best Antioxidant for Your Brain?

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Robert Barrington

The human brain is composed of a high concentration of lipids, many of which are phospholipids and their derivatives. Diets rich in essential fatty acids improve brain function and efficiency. However, the essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated, and this increases … Continue reading →

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