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Neurological / Psychological

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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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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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 […]

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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 […]

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Protein and Satiety

In this author’s last several posts, underlying factors behind obesity and metabolic syndrome were considered to include reductions in physical activity, overconsumption of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) and their relationships to addiction. The terms satiety and satiation are widely used to facilitate comprehension and research involving appetite control.1Satiation can be defined as processes and […]

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Exploring Food Addiction

Food addiction was first described as a combination of substance based and behavioral addiction concepts associated with a strong craving or desire to eat a specific food.1 Currently, food addiction can be described as a substance use disorder with symptoms to include progressive use, withdrawal avoidance, failed attempts to cut back, unintended use, missed life […]

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Inactivity, Addictive Foods, and How They Drive Obesity

Obesity is a mounting public health issue, which has tripled in growth over the past 40 years, and is among the biggest preventable deaths worldwide.1 Obesity can be defined as men who exceed 25% body fat, and women who surpass 35% body fat; measures that apply to 72% of males and 64% of females in […]

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Exploring Hyperpalatability

Ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) contains a combination of substances not found in the natural environment.1,2 It has been hypothesized that such foods tend to make consumers overeat, which is likely contributing to obesity and metabolic syndrome.2(518)As a means of appreciating UPFDs, hyperpalatability, and overconsumption of food, the following will explore the same in greater […]

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