Neurological / Psychological
Nutrigenomics can be defined as the study of the interaction between genes and the nutritional environment.1 Such a field has been proposed as a new model in healthcare in which genotyping (studying the differences in gene make-up of one individual and comparing it to other individuals) can help determine the best choices of foods and…
Obesity is an epidemic estimated to effect more than one third (36%) of adults in the United States.1One driver behind such an epidemic is the chronic overconsumption of food. In this author’s last post, cognitive and behavioral recommendations were briefly explored to facilitate liberation from conditioned hypereating (CH) and consumption of ultra-processed food and drinks…
Over consumption of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) continues to be a phenomenon in Westernized countries, and is linked to several conditions to include metabolic syndrome; an aggregate of risk factors (dysregulated glucose metabolism, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and abnormal lipid profiles) that lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (T2D).1 A…
In this author’s last several posts, underlying factors behind obesity and metabolic syndrome were considered to include reductions in physical activity, overconsumption of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) and their relationships to addiction. The terms satiety and satiation are widely used to facilitate comprehension and research involving appetite control.1Satiation can be defined as processes and…
Food addiction was first described as a combination of substance based and behavioral addiction concepts associated with a strong craving or desire to eat a specific food.1 Currently, food addiction can be described as a substance use disorder with symptoms to include progressive use, withdrawal avoidance, failed attempts to cut back, unintended use, missed life…
Obesity is a mounting public health issue, which has tripled in growth over the past 40 years, and is among the biggest preventable deaths worldwide.1 Obesity can be defined as men who exceed 25% body fat, and women who surpass 35% body fat; measures that apply to 72% of males and 64% of females in…
Ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) contains a combination of substances not found in the natural environment.1,2 It has been hypothesized that such foods tend to make consumers overeat, which is likely contributing to obesity and metabolic syndrome.2(518)As a means of appreciating UPFDs, hyperpalatability, and overconsumption of food, the following will explore the same in greater…
Potassium (K) is a micronutrient that is a constituent of a larger body of electrolytes which includes sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca).1Such electrolytes work as an aggregate to facilitate movement of nutrients in a cell, pH balance, nerve conduction, and fluid balance.1 Although K deficiencies can emanate from sweating, imbalances with…
Value can be defined as a means of rating usefulness, importance, or general worth of a thing.1 Science, or the scientific method, can be thought of as s state or a means of knowing that is distinguished from misunderstanding or ignorance.2 Though value is a paradigm that is qualitative and subjective in nature, and the apparent…
Free radicals (FRs) are generated during normal metabolic processes in addition to exposure to pathophysiological states.1 Such species are unstable and induce unfavorable cellular changes, if left unchecked, to include DNA damage; a destructive process associated with the genesis of cancer.1(317) Antioxidants are substances that can control the effects and propagation of FRs thereby down-regulating…