NUTRITION
Optimal gastrointestinal (GI) function is central to a strong immune system and overall health; it is the gateway between the outside environment and the delicate internal systems of the human body. Ultimately, dysfunction of the gut barrier can give rise to a host of maladies negatively affecting homeostasis. One such condition is known as celiac…
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can be defined as the excessive increase in the number of bacteria in the stomach and small intestine (Khalighi et al., 2014). Such overgrowth can lead to gastrointestinal problems, altered bowel movements, and altered pH. Moreover, SIBO can induce steatorrhoea (excess fat in feces), vitamin B12 (involved in brain/nervous system…
Metabolic syndrome is associated elevated glucose/lipids, inflammation, decreased anti-oxidant activity, weight gain, glycation of proteins, and insulin resistance (Qin, Panickar, & Anderson, 2010). Interestingly, the ingestion of simple spices, like cinnamon, has shown promise in helping control one manifestation of metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance. The following sections will consider, in more detail, the influence of…
In addition to nutritional interventions, physical activity has also been shown to help control symptoms and complications of non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Miyake et al., 2014). In the following sections, NAFLD and its relationship to exercise will be explored as another viable means of controlling the disease. Miyake et al. (2014) explored the connection…
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a term used to describe a group of associated risk factors, that when combined, increase a person’s chances of contracting conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Kenney, Wilmore, & Costill, 2012). Said risk factors include a large waistline, high triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoproteins, high resting blood pressure, high…
The liver is the largest organ in the body providing several vital functions such as storing glycogen, copper, iron, triglycerides, and lipid soluble vitamins (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). The liver is also responsible for synthesizing certain proteins such as albumin, which facilitates coagulation and inflammation, in addition to binding proteins for storage of substances (Reisner…
In a study conducted by Subramian, Soudarssanane, Jayalakshmy, Thisusevakumar, Navasakthi, Sahai, and Saptharishi (2011), exercise, salt reduction, and yoga were explored to uncover their relative effectiveness of reducing hypertension. The following will consider the findings of Subramian et al. (2011). The researchers conducted a cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an earlier RCT (2007) in…
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection of adequate rigidity during sexual intercourse (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). The incidence of ED is on an increase, and is estimated to affect approximately 322 million men globally by the year 2025 (Eleazu, 2017). However, there are nutritional and lifestyle interventions that may…
Calculi, commonly known as stones, can form anywhere along the urinary tract; a condition known as urolithiasis (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). Stones are characterized by high concentrations of uric acid or calcium salts, and emanate from three primary factors: high concentrations of salts in the urine, infection of the urinary tract, and urinary tract obstruction…
Curcumin is a polyphenol, which is found from the plant Curcuma longa. The colloquial name for curcumin is turmeric (Adahoun, Al-Akhras, Jaafar, & Bououdina, 2015). Over the past 50 years, considerable research has been performed on turmeric exploring its influence upon health, prevention of disease, as well as its therapeutic affects as an anti-tumor, anti-oxidant,…