by Peter James | Aug 31, 2017 | Nutrition
There are three main macro nutrients that are needed by humans for growth and development. The three main macro nutrients that are needed consist of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These core nutrients help supply energy for the body in order to supply for daily activities and movements. In this blog post I will cover key details that explain how these main macro nutrients work biochemically within the body. Carbohydrates: So what are carbohydrates? Most carbohydrates are a form of some type of sugar molecule. These molecules are used to form glycogen. Complex Carbohydrates are linked sugar molecules and they are also called starches. Simple Carbohydrates are single sugar molecules such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose. Carbohydrates can be broken down into three general categories: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are commonly referred to as sugars or simple carbohydrates, while polysaccharides are called complex carbohydrates. Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that have one sugar molecule. Common sources include glucose, fructose, sorbitol, galactose, mannitol, and mannose. Disaccharides are carbohydrates with two sugar molecules. Common sources include sucrose and lactose. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates with three or more sugar molecules. Sources include dextrin, cellulose, and starches. Another kind of carbohydrate is fiber, which is composed mainly of undigestible polysaccharides. Fiber plays an important role in the next topic of discussion, the glycemic index (GI). The separate classifications of monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and fiber which help differentiate carbohydrates. The major carbohydrates that are consumed in the human diet are starch, sucrose, lactose, fructose, and glucose. The polysaccharide starch is the storage form of carbohydrates in plant. Sucrose known as table sugar and lactose known...
by Peter James | Jun 24, 2017 | Herbs, Supplements
A brief summary on the herb Gotu Kola centers on the fact that the herb was originally called Brahmi or Mandukaparni. The herb has been used for thousands of years for a host of different ailments, all of which cover the whole body. Gotu Kola utilizes and enforces the chemical activity of Saponins. As a result medical benefits of the herb are obtained through the chemical activity of the Saponins. The leaves have been used topically for everything from Fever, bruising, and bowel problems when applied topically. Apart from wound healing and topical usage, the herb is recommended for the treatment of various skin conditions such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, diarrhoea, fever, amenorrhea, diseases of the female genitourinary tract and also for relieving anxiety and improving cognition when used internally. This particular Ayurvedic herb has been used for thousands of years and has been considered “one of the elixir’s of life” known over 2000 years ago. Its latin name is known as Centella asiatica. Not to be confused with its kola nut which has stimulant properties and caffeine, the leaves have a different chemical makeup. The primary active constituents of CA are saponins (also called triterpenoids), which include asiaticosides, in which a trisaccharide moiety is linked to the aglycone asiatic acid, madecassoside and madasiatic acid[13]. These triterpene saponins and their sapogenins are mainly responsible for the wound healing and vascular effects by inhibiting the production of collagen at the wound site. The chemical constituency of saponins is generally centered around the soap-like substance and how it forms with cholesterol and protects cells against cytotoxic therapy. It...
by Peter James | May 19, 2017 | Health, Nutrition, Supplements
The digestive enzyme commonly known as Bromelain is derived from pineapples and is used for many different health reasons that one would never suspect from a digestive enzyme. This extract that is derived from pineapples is an excellent therapeutic enzyme that closely resembles proteinases with many anti-inflammatory abilities present. Bromelain has earned growing acceptance and compliance among patients as a phytotherapeutical drug. A wide range of therapeutic benefits has been claimed for bromelain, such as reversible inhibition of platelet aggregation, angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical traumas, thrombophlebitis, pyelonephritis and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly of antibiotics. There is also much promise with bromelain from pineapples and its potential to fight tumors. Bromelain acts as an immunomodulator by raising the impaired immunocytotoxicity of monocytes against tumor cells from patients and by inducing the production of distinct cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin (Il)-1beta, Il-6, and Il-8. In a recent clinical study with mammary tumor patients, these findings could be partially confirmed. Especially promising are reports on animal experiments claiming an antimetastatic efficacy and inhibition of metastasis-associated platelet aggregation as well as inhibition of growth and invasiveness of tumor cells. In addition to fighting and preventing tumors, bromelain has also shown much promise with treating osteoarthritis. Bromelain is a food supplement that may provide an alternative treatment to NSAIDs for patients with osteoarthritis. Bromelain is a crude, aqueous extract obtained from both the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant, which contains a number of proteolytic enzymes (10,11) and has shown potentially beneficial effects due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Currently, bromelain is used for acute inflammation and sports...
by Peter James | May 18, 2017 | Health, Herbs, Nutrition, Supplements
With our modern day diets plagued with processed foods and many people eating out more and obtaining food on the go, it is becoming increasingly common for females and males to suffer from symptoms of weak libido and a lack of invigoration for life.I realize this subject is slightly taboo, but nonetheless a part of overall human health and happiness.In order to improve stamina, we have to observe the external factors in the environment as well as the foods that are being consumed on a regular basis. Vigor, virility, and vitality are all crucial components in a persons healthy body functioning for exercise and daily life.Many recent studies have shown that cell phone radiation can negatively effect testosterone and fertility in men. One study including this one from Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, “A total of 34 male Albino rats [Wistar strain], 2 months of age, weighing 150-160 gm were used for the experiment. These animals were divided into 3 groups. The first group containing 6 rats was assigned as a control group. The second group containing 14 rats was exposed to mobile phone radiation for 30 minutes daily and the third group containing 14 rats was exposed to mobile phone radiation for 60 minutes daily for the total period of 3 months. At the end of experimental period, blood was collected into the container, and serum testosterone was analyzed using double-antibody radioimmunoassay method by Coat-A-Count.The results of the study were, “Exposure to mobile phone radiation for 60 minutes/day for the total period of 3 months significantly decrease the serum testosterone level [p=0.028] in Wistar Albino...
by Peter James | May 10, 2017 | Herbs, Nutrition, Supplements
The disease known as Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by dementia which typically begins with poorly recognized memory which slowly becomes more incapacitating. The most common characteristics associated with AD include confusion, poor judgement, language disturbance, agitation, withdrawal, as well as hallucinations. The typical clinical duration of the disease is eight to ten years, but it can range from one to 25 years. The clinical diagnosis of AD, based on signs of slowly progressive dementia and findings of gross cerebral cortical atrophy on neuroimaging, is correct approximately 80%-90% of the time. Three forms of early-onset familial AD (EOFAD) – caused by mutation of one of three genes (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) – are recognized. It is important to note that no cure for Alzheimer’s currently exists, and the drugs currently available to treat the disease have limited effectiveness. It is believed that therapeutic intervention that could postpone the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease would dramatically reduce the number of cases in the next 50 years. Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been the single most productive source of leads for the development of drugs, and over a hundred new products are already in clinical development. Indeed, several scientific studies have described the use of various Ayurvedic medicinal plants and their constituents for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. There have been several scientific studies, that have described the use of various Ayurvedic medicinal plants termed ‘nervines’ and their constituents to strengthen the functional activity of the nervous system and restoration of memory [8,9]. Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many valuable compounds, such as lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and alkaloids, that show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities,...
by Peter James | Nov 11, 2016 | Nutrition, Supplements
The role of amino acids within the human body and brain is often overlooked by many. Often times people who supplement in addition to their diet, focus mostly on protein as well as specific vitamins and minerals. Without completely realizing it, people often forget that amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and they are needed in order to keep the body in an anabolic state versus a catabolic state. One could also argue that not only are vitamins and minerals a critical part of daily consumption, but amino acids are just as important for consumption in order to up keep optimal health. Amino acids are the basis of all life and they interact in crucial processes such as metabolism, transportation of nutrients, and storage of various nutrients as well, such as vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. While it is fully known that amino acids are either classified as essential or non-essential, the real role of amino acids is to help the body maintain a state of homeostasis. Amino acids are needed to build and repair muscles, ligaments, tendons, hair, skin, and nails. So whether you’re looking to build lean muscle mass or just help your body overall with repair, you can likely benefit from some form of amino acid supplementation. So what are the essential amino acids? The essential amino acids are those whose carbon skeletons are not synthesized by animal cells and, therefore, must be provided from the diet. Meanwhile non-essential amino acids are those AA that are synthesized de novo in a species-dependent manner (3, 4). It was tactically assumed, without much evidence, that animals or humans...
Recent Comments