Monthly Archives: March 2014

The Simple Truth about Simple Sugars – Comparing High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sucrose

The Simple Truth about Simple Sugars – Comparing High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sucrose

A recent peer-reviewed article in the Nutrition Research Journal titled, “High-fructose corn syrup and sucrose have equivalent effects on energy-regulating hormones at normal human consumption levels,” authors Zhiping Yu, Joshua Lowndes, and James Rippe hypothesized that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose have essentially the same effect on human metabolism. 1 The results ofContinue Reading

Does Breastfeeding Improve Child Intelligence?

Does Breastfeeding Improve Child Intelligence?

A recent study was designed to show differences in cognitive outcomes among breastfed infants at three intervals of 9 months, 2 years, 4 years, and kindergarten.  In the past there have been numerous publications to determine the benefits of breastfeeding on childhood development with mixed results.  This study was meant to show a relationship betweenContinue Reading

Does Vitamin E Slow Alzheimer’s Disease Progression?

Does Vitamin E Slow Alzheimer’s Disease Progression?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body. In previous studies, vitamin E has been shown to be beneficial for slowing cognitive decline for moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. In a study released in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at effects of vitamin E on individualsContinue Reading

Oil Pulling Over Mouthwash

Oil Pulling Over Mouthwash

Oil pulling is the practice of pulling, or swishing, oils (most commonly coconut, sesame, or sunflower oils) in the mouth. It may be a new way to use these oils that you haven’t ever thought of, but in reality this practice has been around for quite a while and is actually a common folk remedy.Continue Reading

Some Not So Sweet News About Sugar

Some Not So Sweet News About Sugar

Added sugar has infiltrated the food industry because of its ability to mask other, less desirable flavors. The average American consumes about 130 lbs. of sugar a year (1). When we compare how much we were eating back in 1822 to how much we eat now, we find that on average we eat 725 gramsContinue Reading

Smile! Probiotics are Good for Your Teeth Too!

Smile! Probiotics are Good for Your Teeth Too!

In mid 2013, researchers in India conducted a randomized trial that looked at probiotic use and its oral health benefits in school children. This study, conducted on students between the ages of 14-17, showed a significant increase in plaque reduction by feeding the students a common dairy product called curd. Although these results have beenContinue Reading

Caffeine: Memory Enhancer?

Caffeine: Memory Enhancer?

In a recent study published in Nature Neuroscience in January 2014 and entitled, “Post-Study Caffeine Administration Enhances Memory Consolidation in Humans”, researchers examined the effects of caffeine administration on memory fortification after subjects studied certain images (1). Caffeine was given following the study session and after 24 hours, there was a significant increase in memoryContinue Reading

The Skinny On Intermittent Fasting. Does it Work, or Is it Just Another Diet Fad?

The Skinny On Intermittent Fasting. Does it Work, or Is it Just Another Diet Fad?

Intermittent fasting is quickly gaining popularity in the dieting world. A quick online search about this diet will show hundreds of success stories, with claims like “naturally lead to fat loss” and “eat, fast, and live longer,” (1). Based on the ancestral paleolithic diet, it is believed that brief periods of fasting protect lean bodyContinue Reading

The Nordic Diet: Shed Your Post-Baby Weight Quickly

The Nordic Diet: Shed Your Post-Baby Weight Quickly

Pregnancy is a significant life event for women, involving changes in lifestyle habits and eating patterns, as well as gestational weight gain. The natural gestational weight gain is typically a high concern for expectant mothers, as postpartum weight retention can lead to obesity, decreased libido, and poor self-esteem1. However, according to a recent study, adherenceContinue Reading

The New Diet: Listening to When You are Hungry….Then Eat.

The New Diet: Listening to When You are Hungry….Then Eat.

Diets that restrict calories have been proven to help the public lose weight, however, most gain the weight back in a short period of time after stopping the diet. In the article entitled, “Sensory-Based Nutrition Pilot Intervention for Women,” the researchers evaluated the effects on women’s weight and overall feelings towards food as they attendContinue Reading