The heart is a muscle (cardiac muscle) critical to sustaining life and homeostasis. Such an organ serves as a pump, which propels blood towards the lungs and other tissues via associated vasculature (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). Cardiac muscle is designed to work in almost near perpetuity; other muscles (i.e., skeletal) are not always required to […]
Read MoreCoQ10 is a nutrient whose production tends to become down-regulated by two main sources: genetic mutations involved in its synthesis (a primary deficiency) and statins, which inhibit an enzyme (hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A) involved in the development of CoQ10 (considered a secondary deficiency) (Potgieter, Pretorius, & Pepper, 2013). Secondary deficiency is a common side-affect amongst individuals on […]
Read MoreVitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is the precursor/pre-vitamin to 1,25-(OH)2D; the active form within the body, known as calcitriol (Chaplin & Jablonski, 2013). Vitamin D3 can be derived from sun exposure as well as foods such as fatty fish (i.e., salmon and sardines), plants (i.e., shitake mushrooms), fortified foods (i.e., milk, yogurt, butter, cheese) […]
Read More***The below post comes from Jon Barry; a fellow Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner I met many years ago, and continue to maintain contact with. I wanted to share his perspectives and rationale behind choosing the ketogenic diet. Enjoy! *** The next time you’re at the start (or finish) line of a running race, […]
Read MoreMicronutrient supplementation falls within an industry that generates substantial sums of revenue; Dagerman (2012) noted that in 2009, the aforementioned industry generated 26.7 billion dollars with 1,000 new supplements entering the consumer market yearly, and more than 29,000 supplements available for purchase in total. With such an array of choices, and a lack of quality […]
Read MoreOrganic acid testing can help detect and facilitate stalled healing and general health problems. Furthermore, such tests help determine if vitamins are functioning adequately within the body (Rogers, 2006). Folic acid, a synthetic version of folate, can be monitored for its effectiveness by an organic acid known as formiminoglutamate (FIGLU). The following will explore the […]
Read MoreFolic acid (also known as B9), is a water-soluble synthetic vitamin; a counterpart of the naturally occurring form (known as folate) found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, meat, and poultry (Lee & Chan, 2011; Tomita, 2016). Such a vitamin is key for the normal functioning of red blood cells (RBCs), the adequate synthesis of […]
Read MoreIn recent posts, I have covered omega-3 oils and their benefits. In recent years, a particular form of omega-3 (krill oil) has been researched and promoted for its particular health benefits. Such benefits include reduced hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and arthritis (Kwantes & Grundmann, 2015). As such, the following will consider krill oil, its safety, and comparative […]
Read MoreMetabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition defined by a constellation of associated risk factors that increase a person’s chances of contracting stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes (Chen, Yen, Huang, Lee, Hsia, & Lin, 2012). Said risk factors include: abdominal obesity (waist circumference 102 cm for males, 88cm for females), impaired fasting glucose (≥6.1 mmol/L), […]
Read MoreAtherosclerosis can be defined as the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Said condition can manifest as early as childhood with the development and deposition of fatty cholesterol streaks along the endothelium (blood vessel wall) (Lee & Nieman, 2013). […]
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