Lodaer Img

Blogs

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Weight Loss and Online Social Support Systems

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 […]

Read More

Conditioned Hypereating

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 […]

Read More

Testosterone, Sugar, and Obesity

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid synthesized from cholesterol, which is metabolized into pregnenolone and then into androstenediol or androstenedione; precursors to testosterone.1 Testosterone is responsible for maintaining function of several systems to include the immune system (lowers inflammation), neurological system (improves cognitive function), musculoskeletal system (maintains muscle mass), and aspects of the circulatory system (improves […]

Read More