General Interest articles are designed to appeal to everyone, whereas our collection of articles from the Scientific Literature will more likely resonate with those who like to get their teeth into much heavier topics.
We hope you enjoy this collection and welcome your feedback and requests for other topics.
Broccoli Sprouts – Top of the Cruciferous Vegetable List
In the world of nutrition, people have known for a long time that the sprouts of cruciferous vegetables and legumes are powerhouses of valuable nutrients. But with a growing body of evidence supporting a cluster of impressive health benefits, the humble broccoli sprout has come to the forefront – and clinicians and researchers in nutrition are finding new ways to harness its unique power.
The secret to the health benefits of this remarkable food lies in the bioactive compound sulforaphane, which is generated in high concentrations when broccoli sprouts are consumed. Over a thousand published studies have identified sulforaphane as one of the most potent food-derived molecules of our era, and that some truly remarkable health benefits that can be accessed through its main source, broccoli sprouts.
The bioactives from broccoli sprouts can influence many of the genes that govern cellular function, ‘turning up’ the ones whose expression is beneficial in maintaining health, and ‘turning down’ the ones that result in maladaptive outcomes.
Broccoli Sprouts – Top of the Cruciferous Vegetable List
In the world of nutrition, people have known for a long time that the sprouts of cruciferous vegetables and legumes are powerhouses of valuable nutrients. But with a growing body of evidence supporting a cluster of impressive health benefits, the humble broccoli sprout has come to the forefront – and clinicians and researchers in nutrition are finding new ways to harness its unique power.
The secret to the health benefits of this remarkable food lies in the bioactive compound sulforaphane, which is generated in high concentrations when broccoli sprouts are consumed. Over a thousand published studies have identified sulforaphane as one of the most potent food-derived molecules of our era, and that some truly remarkable health benefits that can be accessed through its main source, broccoli sprouts.
The bioactives from broccoli sprouts can influence many of the genes that govern cellular function, ‘turning up’ the ones whose expression is beneficial in maintaining health, and ‘turning down’ the ones that result in maladaptive outcomes.
You might logically ask what masochistic streak in me would make me post such a headline! I’m bound to be shot down in a volley of gluten-free breadcrumbs!
The answer? Real as the phenomena of frank coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) might be, certain factors just don’t add up! A few are listed below.
I cannot simply sit back and watch an industry fuelled by over-processed gluten-free junk foods, over-ride common sense!
FACTOR NUMBER 1. The Mediterranean Diet continues to be acknowledged for its superior effects on human health. For thousands of years, people in this region have consumed diets rich in grains – including a high proportion of gluten-containing grains. And yet, where is the evidence that gluten adversely affects these populations? Proponents of gluten-free diets say that the wheat has been modified over decades and whereas it was once tolerated, now it isn’t. This may or may not be correct; no evidence yet!
You might logically ask what masochistic streak in me would make me post such a headline! I’m bound to be shot down in a volley of gluten-free breadcrumbs!
The answer? Real as the phenomena of frank coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) might be, certain factors just don’t add up! A few are listed below.
I cannot simply sit back and watch an industry fuelled by over-processed gluten-free junk foods, over-ride common sense!
FACTOR NUMBER 1. The Mediterranean Diet continues to be acknowledged for its superior effects on human health. For thousands of years, people in this region have consumed diets rich in grains – including a high proportion of gluten-containing grains. And yet, where is the evidence that gluten adversely affects these populations? Proponents of gluten-free diets say that the wheat has been modified over decades and whereas it was once tolerated, now it isn’t. This may or may not be correct; no evidence yet!
Two important parts of the ageing puzzle have recently been revealed and nutrigenomically-active CardiOS directly addresses these aspects of the ageing process. One of the realities of life is that ageing is inevitable. Clearly, some of us age more ‘gracefully’ than others, with some retaining a keen mind even though the physical form visibly changes. We may blame it on genetics or we may blame it on lifestyle but in truth, we know little about how to modify this process.
Two important parts of the ageing puzzle have recently been revealed and nutrigenomically-active CardiOS directly addresses these aspects of the ageing process. One of the realities of life is that ageing is inevitable. Clearly, some of us age more ‘gracefully’ than others, with some retaining a keen mind even though the physical form visibly changes. We may blame it on genetics or we may blame it on lifestyle but in truth, we know little about how to modify this process.
It’s the first day of June today — the official start to winter in the Southern hemisphere. While many associate the winter season with hot chocolate and cosy fireplaces, it is also known for its sharp rise in the incidence of flu cases, which if nasty enough, can even cause us to be away from work or school for several days on end.
As with any condition, it is easier (and cheaper) to prevent rather than to cure once the condition is entrenched. This is where nutritional intervention plays a powerful role in prevention.
Nutritional medicine understands that microbes (or germs) are ever-present in the environment and are continuously attempting to invade warm cosy environments like human cells where they multiply. Viruses, in particular, have no way of replicating unless they can hijack our cellular ‘machinery’. And when they start multiplying, they double their population about every 20 minutes — or even less. In practically no time at all, they dominate in huge numbers in the body.
The job of our immune system is to mount a range of challenges to prevent the invasion. Healthy cells are well-equipped to prevent infection. When it appears that we have ‘caught’ something, it really means that our immune system, for whatever reason, was unable to mount the required challenge. That is why a family or other group of people may all have been exposed to the same germ — but only a few ‘catch’
It’s the first day of June today — the official start to winter in the Southern hemisphere. While many associate the winter season with hot chocolate and cosy fireplaces, it is also known for its sharp rise in the incidence of flu cases, which if nasty enough, can even cause us to be away from work or school for several days on end.
As with any condition, it is easier (and cheaper) to prevent rather than to cure once the condition is entrenched. This is where nutritional intervention plays a powerful role in prevention.
Nutritional medicine understands that microbes (or germs) are ever-present in the environment and are continuously attempting to invade warm cosy environments like human cells where they multiply. Viruses, in particular, have no way of replicating unless they can hijack our cellular ‘machinery’. And when they start multiplying, they double their population about every 20 minutes — or even less. In practically no time at all, they dominate in huge numbers in the body.
The job of our immune system is to mount a range of challenges to prevent the invasion. Healthy cells are well-equipped to prevent infection. When it appears that we have ‘caught’ something, it really means that our immune system, for whatever reason, was unable to mount the required challenge. That is why a family or other group of people may all have been exposed to the same germ — but only a few ‘catch’
Within the personalized nutrition space the field of nutrigenomics is touted as being able to tailor nutrition to an individual’s specific genetic makeup. With direct-to-consumer (DTC) services such as at-home genetic testing, consumers may now gain better insights into health and disease predisposition, as well as case-specific nutritional recommendations. Industry experts weigh in on the potential of nutrigenomics on well-being and the hurdles to be overcome.
Confusion as to what exactly nutrigenomics offers has led some to believe that nutrigenomics are able to predict disease risk, however, what nutrigenomics actually does is “provide the right recommendations for an individual so they can reduce their risk[of disease,” Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto and Founder and CSO of Nutrigenomix, tells NutritionInsight.
The field of nutrigenomics studies how an individual’s genes interact with their diet to affect their physiology and, consequently, their health. Research in this field can help uncover why some people respond differently from others to the same foods, beverages and supplements, Dr. El-Sohemy explains.
Dr. Christine Houghton Managing Director and CSO at Cell-Logic tells NutritionInsight that nutrigenomics has greatly extended our view of the effect of food molecules in human cells. “The term, ‘nutrigenomics’ simply translates to ‘food talking to your genes,’” she says.
Within the personalized nutrition space the field of nutrigenomics is touted as being able to tailor nutrition to an individual’s specific genetic makeup. With direct-to-consumer (DTC) services such as at-home genetic testing, consumers may now gain better insights into health and disease predisposition, as well as case-specific nutritional recommendations. Industry experts weigh in on the potential of nutrigenomics on well-being and the hurdles to be overcome.
Confusion as to what exactly nutrigenomics offers has led some to believe that nutrigenomics are able to predict disease risk, however, what nutrigenomics actually does is “provide the right recommendations for an individual so they can reduce their risk[of disease,” Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto and Founder and CSO of Nutrigenomix, tells NutritionInsight.
The field of nutrigenomics studies how an individual’s genes interact with their diet to affect their physiology and, consequently, their health. Research in this field can help uncover why some people respond differently from others to the same foods, beverages and supplements, Dr. El-Sohemy explains.
Dr. Christine Houghton Managing Director and CSO at Cell-Logic tells NutritionInsight that nutrigenomics has greatly extended our view of the effect of food molecules in human cells. “The term, ‘nutrigenomics’ simply translates to ‘food talking to your genes,’” she says.
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