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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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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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Nutrients to prevent and treat concussion
Concussion is a serious health risk for athletes participating in many sports including but not limited to contact disciplines. Learn how to protect yourself with nutrients to prevent and treat concussion. What is concussion? Concussion is an injury caused by direct or indirect impact to the head (1, 2), rapid acceleration or deacceleration, such as in motor vehicle accidents or intense changes in pressure (2). A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI or mTBI) which causes short-term impairment in neurological function (1, 2). Concussion affects approximately 1 to 6 in 1000 people per year (2). Effects and symptoms of concussion The effects of a concussion…
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How to reduce food waste
Food waste is a massive problem worldwide, particularly in the industrialised world. This happens in all steps of the food chain, so to speak, from production to consumption. While there is little you can do about agriculture and manufacture you can learn how to reduce food waste in your household. Food waste in Australia According to the Department of the Environment and Energy, “In 2016-17… Australia produced 7.3 million tonnes of food waste across the supply and consumption chain. Of this, 2.5 million (34 per cent) was created in our homes, 2.3 million tonnes (31 per cent) in primary production and 1.8 million tonnes (25 per cent) in the manufacturing…
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20 things to try in 2020
This is a different spin on new year’s resolutions, inspired by Gretchen Rubin. If you are keen on testing new stuff and/or building new healthy habits in the new year, here is a list of 20 things to try in 2020. Food and nutrition Eat a new fruit, vegetable, legume, nut or seed every month. Eat with friends or family at least 3 meals per week. Cook a meal at least once a week. Try a new cuisine. If you eat meat, buy it from an ethical butcher such as Feather and Bone or The Ethical Farmers. If you drink, do Dry July or Ocsober. If you don’t, give up…
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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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Latest recommendations on red meat, eggs and dairy
This year we had a couple of big news in the nutrition world. First, the Heart Association‘s relaxed its position on full-fat dairy products and eggs. Second, the Annals of Internal Medicine published a set of guidelines that told meat eaters: “keep doing what you’re doing”. This is a summary on the latest recommendations on red meat, eggs and dairy, to be taken with a grain of salt. Red meat Annals of Internal Medicine recommendations These recommendations are based on the review of several scientific papers by a panel consisting of 14 people from Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and the US. The panel included experts in nutrition…
