Category Archives: Elderly

Supercharge Your Brain: Fish

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Robert Barrington

Many studies have observed that those who regularly eat fish are not only generally healthier, but they also display superior cognition. The reason for the health effects of fish on the brain is likely for two main reasons. Firstly, fish … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain, Dementia, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Elderly, Fish | Comments Off on Supercharge Your Brain: Fish

Predicting Vitamin D Status Without a Blood Test

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with a wide ranging nutritional role. Vitamin D can be synthesised from cholesterol in the skin in a reaction catalysed by ultraviolet light or can be derived from the diet. Vitamin D is not … Continue reading →

Posted in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D / Calcitriol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Elderly, Vitamin D | Comments Off on Predicting Vitamin D Status Without a Blood Test

Protein Prevents Weight Loss in The Elderly

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Weight loss in the elderly, specifically a decrease in lean mass, increases the risk of mortality significantly. A loss of skeletal muscle in the elderly is associated with reduced mobility, increased frailty, and a loss of bone tissue that increases … Continue reading →

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Essential Nutrients: Essential For A Reason

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Essential nutrients are so named for a reason. They comprise a group of chemicals that are required to maintain life, but which cannot be manufactured endogenously. In humans, essential nutrients fall into a number of categories including amino acids, organic … Continue reading →

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Vitamin C Deficiencies in The Elderly

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Research suggests that the Western diet is a contributory factor in the low micronutrient intakes of many living in developed nations. Growing evidence suggests that those individuals with the lowest intakes of certain micronutrients may be at increased risk of … Continue reading →

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Hypovitaminosis D in the Elderly

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Robert Barrington

  Hypovitaminosis D is a condition characterised by deficient plasma levels of the vitamin D marker 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. A plasma levels of 25(OH)D between 25 and 40 nmol/L (10 and 16 ng/mL) is considered insufficient. Such low plasma levels … Continue reading →

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Smart Nutrient: Phosphatidylserine

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Robert Barrington

A smart  nutrient is a dietary substance that has an effect on some mode of brain or central nervous system function. This could be a psychological change such as mood elevation or a change in emotional state, or may be … Continue reading →

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Vitamin B Insufficiencies In The Elderly

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Robert Barrington

It is often assumed that an ageing person has an inevitable slide into functional disability. Proponents of such an idea can readily find data from the literature showing reductions in muscle mass, deteriorations in cognitive function and increases in blood … Continue reading →

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Mediterranean Diet: Stay Young, Longer

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet is beneficial to the health. Traditionally, the Mediterranean diet provides a high intake of green leafy vegetables, fruit and whole grain cereals, with moderate amounts of dairy and meat from fish and fowl. Individually … Continue reading →

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Vitamin D and Muscle Function

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The generally accepted biomarker for vitamin D status in humans is plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Plasma levels of 25(OH)D can be maintained above the recommended 40 nmol/L through sunlight exposure or through dietary intake. Evidence suggests that modern lifestyle behaviours … Continue reading →

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