Category Archives: Digestion and Absorption

Gliadin the Wheat Protein: Digestion

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Wheat is an important cereal crop as it is used to feed large amounts of the World’s population. The protein in wheat is deficient in the amino acid lysine, as is similar with all cereal crops. The principal protein in … Continue reading →

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Fibre Digestion: Hemicellulose

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Plant fibres are polysaccharides in plants including cellulose, hemicelluloses, gums, waxes, tannins and lignins. The question as to whether fibre is an essential component of the human diet is controversial. High fibre diets do not appear to be a requirement … Continue reading →

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More on Lactose Intolerance

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Lactose intolerance is a condition whereby an individual is lacking the lactase enzyme. This results in an inability to digest lactose, the main sugar in milk. The undigested lactose passes to the colon, where gut bacteria ferment the sugar. This … Continue reading →

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Does Vitamin C Interact with Vitamin B12?

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The main cobalamins with vitamin B12 activity in human nutrition are adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, aquacobalamin and the conjugate base of aquacobalamin, hydroxocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic vitamin B12 analogue that can be converted in animals to active vitamin B12. It has … Continue reading →

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Proteases in Fruit: Actinidin

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Robert Barrington

A number of fruit are known to contain high concentrations of protein digesting enzymes. These fruit include the pineapple, papaya and kiwifruit. The role of the proteases in the fruit is likely a ripening aid, as protease levels rise during … Continue reading →

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Carbohydrate Sports Drinks and Gastric Emptying Rate

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The stomach is one of the control points for digestion and absorption. The pyloric sphincter is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the stomach, which acts as a gate to the duodenum and the rest of the small … Continue reading →

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Dietary Fibre Lowers Cholesterol: The Elephant in the Room

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The lipid theory of cardiovascular disease states that dietary cholesterol and saturated fat are the cause of elevated levels of blood cholesterol. Proponents claim further that these increases in blood cholesterol then cause atherosclerosis, which drives cardiovascular disease. Many studies … Continue reading →

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Protein Decreases Appetite: Even More Evidence

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Robert Barrington

High protein diets have been shown to have weight loss effects. The reasons for the beneficial effect of high protein diets on weight loss have been extensively studied. It is know for example that protein is inefficiently metabolised to fatty … Continue reading →

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Starch Digestion Rates: Glycaemic Index

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The rise in blood sugar following a meal is an overlooked facet of health. Slow controlled rises in blood sugar produce lower insulin responses, reduce the stress place upon the liver, and decrease the flux through the de novo lipogenesis … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Fibre, Glycaemia, Starch, Whole Grains | Comments Off on Starch Digestion Rates: Glycaemic Index

Mineral Antagonism: Zinc and Copper

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Trace (micro) minerals, are required in small microgram amounts by humans. Trace minerals are essential nutrients and as such a failure to obtain an adequate intake causes specific deficiency diseases and ultimately death. Plants are a good source of many … Continue reading →

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