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Diet and blood pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common chronic condition that represents a risk for cardiovascular health. Besides other lifestyle factors, there is a clear link between diet and blood pressure which we’ll discuss in this article. Blood pressure levels In Australia, blood pressure is classified as follows (1): Category Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg) Optimal <120 and <80 Normal 120-129 and/or 80-84 High-normal 130-139 and/or 85-89 Mild hypertension 140-159 and/or 90-99 Moderate hypertension 160-179 and/or 100-109 Severe hypertension ≥180 and/or ≥110 Isolated systolic hypertension >140 and <90 Target recommendations vary for individuals that have other health conditions. Dietary factors Sodium In about half of people with hypertension and a quarter…
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Book review: The Fast 800 (Dr Michael Mosley)
The Fast 800 is one of the most recent diet books by Dr Michael Mosley, author of the famous 5:2 diet. His books focus on the use of “intermittent fasting” for weight loss, blood sugar regulation and general health. The author I first heard from Dr Mosley through his piece on high intensity interval training (HIIT, see video below). I later learned about his 5:2 diet and know a few people who have done it. It wasn’t until I read his bio that I realised that Dr Michael Mosley became a psychiatrist after working in other fields, and then decided to move away from the medical profession. He is mostly…
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Nutrients in organ meats
Organ meats are a staple in some traditional cuisines, but unfortunately not very common in Western countries. Nutrients in organ meats include many vitamins and minerals, making them true superfoods. What are organ meats? Organ meats, or offal, are exactly what they sound like: meat from animals’ organs. This includes the heart, liver, brain, thymus gland, intestines, etc. Organ meats contain many micronutrients and that’s why they are highly regarded in traditional cultures. Nutrients in organ meats The graphs below contain a comparison of some nutrients for different types of organ meats (data from 1). What about cholesterol? Cholesterol content in organ meats is higher than in muscle meats such…
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Product review: NutriKane D
NutriKane D is a plant-based supplement designed to help manage blood sugar levels and improve gut health. It contains dietary fibre and resistant starch. NutriKane D NutriKane D is plant based and all natural. Even though it’s based on sugarcane, it does not contain sugar. Instead, it is sweetened with stevia. The product contains micronutrients such as polyphenols and flavonoids. It is safe for people with gluten and FODMAP intolerance. Benefits Below are some of the benefits claimed by the manufacturer: Support gut health by improving bowel regularity and feeding the gut microbiome Reduce blood sugar levels by lowering the glycemic index of foods Reduce inflammation Assist with weight control…
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Nutrition and mental health
What we eat has a big impact in all aspects of our well-being. The relationship between nutrition and mental health has been a topic of interest for quite some time and is especially relevant in uncertain times. Healthy vs unhealthy diets Higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains seem to reduce the risk of depression (1, 2). On the flip side, unhealthy diets are associated with increased mental health problems. This negative effect seems to be true in diverse populations, i.e. across different age ranges, genders and ethnicities (1). Dietary patterns Some dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, a traditional Japanese diet and a typical Tuscan diet…
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Athletes and their immune system
Many people think that athletes are the healthiest human beings in the planet. However, fitness does not necessarily equal health. High level performance can take a toll in athletes and their immune system. Regular moderate exercise mitigates inflammation and all the health conditions caused by it. However, a large volume of high intensity exercise combined with travel and stress can depress the immune system and lead to illness (1). The following factors have an impact on the immune system in the context of athletic activities: Diet Energy When energy intake is not enough to match energy output, immune function can be compromised. This is a common problem for athletes who…
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What is glycine?
If you remember chemistry or biochemistry from high school, the word glycine might ring a bell. If not, read on to answer the question: what is glycine? What is glycine? Glycine is the simplest amino acid. Amino acids are chemical compounds that contain an amino group (NH2) and carboxyl group (-COOH). The chain between is composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms and its length defines the amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins. Amino acids are normally categorised in non-essential (produced by our bodies) and essential (which must be consumed in our diets). Glycine is a non-essential amino acid; however to be more exact it should…
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10 tips to survive the holiday season
Three weeks til Christmas! As your calendar gets busier and stress levels build up, remember these 10 tips to survive the holiday season. This is a revised version of last year’s seasonal article How to stay healthy during the holidays. 1. Healthy habits Keep your habits as untouched as possible. Eat your usual (hopefully healthy) diet, do your regular physical activities, keep meditating if you normally do it. Make sure you sleep well; poor sleep leads to hormonal imbalances and poor decision making when it comes to food choices. A healthy routine is the best way to minimise the impact of occasional deviations from the plan. 2. RSVP honestly Say…
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Sports supplements intake in Australia
In this article we will look at some statistics regarding sports supplements intake in Australia. As you may know, sports supplements are widely consumed worldwide. They are taken by athletes and the general public for a variety of perceived or expected benefits. Sports supplements According to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.4, a formulated supplementary sports foods is “a product that is specifically formulated to assist sports people in achieving specific nutritional or performance goals.” (1) Based on the same legislation, sports supplements may contain vitamins or minerals under certain restrictions, amino acids or other compounds used as a nutritive substance also under certain restrictions. Per…
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5 easy vegan swaps
Last week we spoke about red meat, eggs and dairy, but what if you choose not to eat any animal products? The following 5 easy vegan swaps can help you navigate this style of eating. 1. Yoghurt These days there is a wide variety of dairy free yoghurt in supermarkets. These are generally made with coconut or almond milk. However, note that the flavour, texture and, most importantly, nutrient content are not the same as real yoghurt. 2. Parmesan cheese Probably the most popular hippie health food is nutritional yeast. This is because it has an umami flavour that helps fill the void left by the absence of cheese, especially…
