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Michael McIsaac, MS, MS, CSCS

Special Diets for Special Needs

Food sources in the human diet can include beef, fish, poultry, pork, dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes,  vegetables, fruits, and oils. As such, there is a nearly inexhaustible combination of macronutrients and micronutrients that individuals might choose when consuming food. Such variability is further complicated by lack of generalizability regarding the use of a single dietary […]

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The Moralization and Condemnation of Obesity

Obesity is increasing both in number and reach across North America, other Westernized countries, Asia, the Near and Middle East, Western Pacific regions, and Sub-Saharan Africa.1 Weight as a topic has become pervasive and viewed in moral terms during public settings, media discussions, and policy discourse.2 However, as such platforms increased discussions regarding obesity/morality, said condition […]

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Constituents of Effective Emotional Support

Motivational interviewing (MI) insists that the interviewer, and the client’s social network, provide empathy and emotional support during stages of behavioural change.1 However, although social support is viewed as beneficial, the delivery of such support is often ineffective. As such, the following will explore constituents of effective emotional support and solutions to improve the same. […]

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Phenylketonuria and Micronutrient Deficiencies

Phenylketonuria (PKU) emanates from an autosomal recessive deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase; an enzyme responsible for converting phenylalanine to a neurotransmitter precursor known as tyrosine.1 Left untreated, PKU can produce irreversible neurological damage to include developmental challenges.1(47) Thus, rapid interventions upon diagnosis is critical to avoid such pathophysiological outcomes. A standard intervention includes avoidance of proteins rich […]

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Sleep Quality, Sleep Hygiene, and Insulin Resistance

Research has suggested that genetics, and poor lifestyle choices, can both become an impetus behind chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.1Considering the influence of environmental factors upon genetic expression, which was covered in this author’s previous posts, the following will explore another relevant measure that could help nutritionists and researchers determine another […]

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Motivational Interviewing and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) can be characterized by extreme under eating and overeating to manage weight, which can manifest into significant problems with both psychosocial (i.e., shame, anxiety) and physical function (i.e., obesity).1 Ultimately, EDs are a resultant behavioral product between the interaction of an individual’s beliefs and feelings.2 As such, nutritionists that manage EDs must […]

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Nutrigenomics, Food, and Health

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 […]

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Vitamin D and Pre-Diabetes: Management and Prevention

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a manifestation of metabolic syndrome and has become a prominent public health problem, worldwide.1 Within the last decade, research has suggested vitamin D’s (VDs) effects upon physiological processes extend beyond its most notable roles (i.e., calcification of bone/bone density) to include adiposity, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance […]

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Hypogonadism, Testosterone, and Zinc

Zinc (Zn) is a trace mineral and essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions to include carbonic dehydratase, alkaline phosphatase, and polymerases and is critical for DNA synthesis and cell division.1Deficiencies in Zn can cause several maladies such as increased risk of infections, impaired brain development, infertility, dermatitis, alopecia, impaired smell/taste, and low testosterone.1(1085)2Thus, adequate levels […]

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Optimizing Stomach Acidity With Betaine Hydrochloride

Poor stomach acid (high pH), otherwise known as hypochlorhydria, has been responsible for reduced vitamin and mineral absorption, reduced protein digestion, and food allergies.1 Furthermore, low pH (high acidity) is a critical defense mechanism against pathogens consumed from food. High pH can be attributed to several causes including the advanced age, bariatric surgery, and the use […]

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