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NUTRITION

Low Carb Diets and Metabolic Syndrome: Can They Optimize Health?

Modern Western diets derive approximately 70% of total daily energy from refined carbohydrate sources such as sugar, vegetable oils, processed foods, and alcohol (Ilich, Kelly, Kim, & Spicer, 2014). In contrast, during the paleolithic era (over 11,000 years ago) individuals consumed over 73% of total daily calories from animal sources (Cordain, Miller, Eaton, Mann, Holt, […]

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Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Management and Prevention

Obesity is often associated with other conditions that deepen the health complications of an individual. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a term used to describe a group of conditions that places people at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other heart-related problems (Kenney, Wilmore, & Costill, 2012). I would like to […]

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Obesity Management: Exercise and High Protein Nutrition

Obesity and overweight are prevalent, and considered an epidemic in the Western world. Not only are the conditions widespread, overweight and obesity are also associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (Meckling & Sherfey, 2007). Inactivity, in addition to poor nutrition, contributes to the aforementioned conditions, and is estimated that over 57% of Canadians […]

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Exercise-Induced Inflammation VS. Food-Induced Inflammation

In my last post, characteristics of exercise-induced inflammation (EII) were explored. Topics included how brief and moderately intense exercise initiated an immune response, as well as the central physiological and biochemical processes required to achieve adaptation to the same stimuli of equal magnitude. In the following sections, food-induced inflammation (FII) will be reviewed, as well […]

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Inflammation: Defining Its Time and Place

Inflammation is a natural immune response to neutralize and clear foreign bodies and damaged cells in a biological organism (Ilich, Kelly, Kim, & Spicer, 2014). The immune response can have several etiologies such as overconsumption of omega-6 rich foods, food sensitivities, poor sleep, stress, toxic environments, and intense physical activity (Ruiz-Nunez, Pruimboom, Dijck-Brouwer, & Muskiet, […]

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Protein for Athletes: How Much is Enough?

There exists controversy between scientific literature and popular opinion regarding protein requirements for athletes (Phillips, Moore, & Tang, 2007). Some authorities recommend 0.8g/kg of bodyweight while others recommend as high as 1.7g/kg of bodyweight (Phillips et al., 2007). As a means of reconciling the aforementioned disparity, the following sections will explore the effects of ingesting […]

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Omega-3 Supplementation: Supporting Resistance Training and Recovery

Inflammation is a natural immune response to neutralize and clear foreign bodies and damaged cells in the body (Ilich, Kelly, Kim, & Spicer, 2014). However, prolonged states of inflammation, as seen by the frequent overconsumption of foods (i.e., refined sugars, processed foods, grain fed meats) rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (a pro-inflammatory fatty acid) […]

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Vitamin D and Hidden Hunger

In my last post, I covered a brief history of Scotland and how they circumvented vitamin D deficiencies. The intent of providing a brief history of the Scots and vitamin D intake was to show the complex interplay of environment, physiology, cultural proclivities, and economics on the effects of health. It was also my intent […]

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Vitamin D Supplementation; When, How, and Why?

Vitamin deficiencies can, and do, occur on a global scale. It is also true that several factors contribute to deficiencies; populations with complex social and economic circumstances can have insufficient nutrient intakes, due to poor consumption of nutrient rich foods (Shergill-Bonner, 2013). However, environmental factors also play a significant role in the acquisition of nutrients, […]

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Carbohydrate Restriction and Diabetes Management: A Specific Application

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are characterized by an impaired ability to metabolize glucose (Paoli, Rubini, Volek, & Grimaldi, 2013). However, the severity of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has been mitigated and/or eradicated by very low carbohydrate diets (Paoli et al., 2013). Considering the potential side effects of drug therapy interventions, nutritional […]

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