Category Archives: Digestion and Absorption

The Walnut Tree

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The walnut tree (Juglans sp.) is a large deciduous tree which originates from south eastern Europe and western Asia. It has been introduced to many countries, including Britain, where it can be found growing wild, or is often grown for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Digestion and Absorption, Eicosanoids, Ellagic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fibre, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Walnuts | Comments Off on The Walnut Tree

Berry Anthocyanins: Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The Typical Western diet is increasingly being seen as a causative factor in the development of Western lifestyle disease such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. The typical Western diet contains high amounts of processed cereal grains and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthocyanins, Berries, Digestion and Absorption, Glycaemia | Comments Off on Berry Anthocyanins: Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors

More On Iron Bioavailability: Fibre and Binding Inhibitors

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The non-haem iron in plants is poorly absorbed in humans. This relates partly to the iron being in the insoluble Fe3+ form of the mineral, a form that is used by plants for storage purposes. In addition, the iron in … Continue reading →

Posted in Calcium, Digestion and Absorption, Fibre, Iron, Phytic Acid, Vitamin C | Comments Off on More On Iron Bioavailability: Fibre and Binding Inhibitors

More on the Factors Affecting Non-Haem Iron Absorption

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Iron is an essential trace mineral required for the transport of oxygen in blood as well as acting as a cofactor to a number of enzymes, most notably tyrosine hydroxylase. Dietary iron originates from two main sources in man. Haem … Continue reading →

Posted in Beans, Digestion and Absorption, Iron, Spinach, Tannins, Vitamin C | Comments Off on More on the Factors Affecting Non-Haem Iron Absorption

On The Bioavailability of B Vitamins

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Food tables and labels provide information on the quantities of nutrients in foods. It is often assumed that eating the food will provide the individual with the listed nutrients. However the value provided on the labels may not be representative … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Vitamin B | Comments Off on On The Bioavailability of B Vitamins

Does Alcohol Affect Thiamine Metabolism?

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Alcoholics have poor nutritional status. In particular alcoholics are often deficient in a number of B vitamins, including thiamine. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a cluster of neurological disorders associated with alcohol induced thiamine deficiency that includes palsies, ataxia of gait, nystagmus … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Digestion and Absorption, Thiamine, Vitamin B | Comments Off on Does Alcohol Affect Thiamine Metabolism?

Copepod Wax Esters: Novel Fat Loss Supplement?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Studies on mice show that crude oil extracted from the planktonic copepod Calanus finmarchicus is beneficial at preventing diet induced obesity. In particular, mice fed an obesogenic diet were protected from abdominal obesity, hepatic steatosis, inflammation and insulin resistance by … Continue reading →

Posted in Abdominal Obesity, Digestion and Absorption, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Glucagon-like Peptide 1, Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Copepod Wax Esters: Novel Fat Loss Supplement?

Organically Chelated Minerals: Better Absorption

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Trace minerals are metallic elements required in very small microgram concentrations in the diet. When absorbed they associate with proteins such as enzymes where their ionic charges give shape and structure to the protein component. Without their trace mineral cofactors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Zinc | Comments Off on Organically Chelated Minerals: Better Absorption

Zinc Deficiency: Altered Taste Perception

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Zinc is an important trace mineral, required as a cofactor to more proteins than any other mineral in human nutrition. Evidence suggests that zinc intakes have been declining in Western nations as food habits have changed. In particular, the gradual … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Salt, Sodium, Zinc | Comments Off on Zinc Deficiency: Altered Taste Perception

Zinc and Iron Mineral Absorption Interactions

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Zinc is an important trace mineral required as a cofactor in a number of enzymes including the extensively researched antioxidant enzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. Iron too is a trace mineral and is most well known for its role as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Iron, Micronutrients, Multivitamin Multimineral, Trace Minerals, Zinc | Comments Off on Zinc and Iron Mineral Absorption Interactions