Nutrition Archives - Healthhype

Calorie Count (Food and Activity) and Effect on Body Weight

Dr. Chris — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:52:45 +0000

What is the calorie count of food or exercise? A calorie count is the amount of energy potential in foods and the energy expended in activity. Energy is measured in calories or joules. Since the body uses so many tens of thousands of calories and joules every day, the kilocalorie (kCal) and kilojoule (kJ) are often better units to work with as each unit represents one thousand calories or joules. A single calorie or kilojoule is too small a unit. For example 50 kCal actually means 50,000 calories just as 50 kJ would mean 50,000 kilojoules. For convenience and over time, kCal fell away in weight management and calorie (Cal) took its place although Cal is intended to mean kCal. Activity, as well, is measured in kilocalories which has just been assigned to the calorie value. A person’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) determines how much of calories are consumed at rest. Any additional activity will utilize more calories above and beyond the BMR. Standing and walking will consume more calories than sleeping whereas running, cycling or swimming will consume even more calories than standing and walking. Therefore a calorie count can be assigned to different activities – usually it is [...]

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Fructose Enzyme Deficiency Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dr. Chris — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:13:16 +0000

Fructose Problems in the Body Fructose or fruit sugar is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) found in fruits, certain root vegetables, some flowers and honey. It can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream as is the case with glucose, another widely available simple sugar, without it having been broken down any further by digestive enzymes in the gut. Sometimes fructose is not well tolerated in the gut and therefore not absorbed. It can arise with various diseases of the gut where different types of nutrients may act as irritants. With intolerance and malabsorption of other nutrients, it is often the deficiency or defect of the digestive enzymes that break it down which is the cause of the problem. The undigested nutrients cannot be absorbed. However, fructose does not need to be broken down further in the gut. Instead it is a problem with fructose transport and cleavage within the liver that is the main problem. Problem with the compound responsible for transporting fructose, known as GLUT-5, leads to fructose malabsorption. If the breakdown of fructose by the liver is impaired then it leads to fructose intolerance. Since it is a familial problem, it is more correctly known as hereditary fructose intolerance [...]

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Weight Gain with Stress (Hormones, Diet and Exercise)

Dr. Chris — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:07:25 +0000

Does stress cause weight gain? There are several reasons for weight gain – some related to lifestyle factors (the most common causes), physiological responses like pregnancy and pathological factors like diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands. Weight gain in most instances is a result of consuming more calories than is needed for energy production to maintain life processes and facilitate the daily physical activities. In other words, eating more than is needed for physical activities in a day will lead to a storage of the extra calories in the form of fat – the ultimate storage form of nutrients. One of the lesser known contributing factors is psychological stress that can lead to weight gain through various mechanisms. Hormones in stress weight gain Stress these days takes on a different meaning with modern life. Whereas in the wild stress means fighting or fleeing for survival, the human body has to now contend with intense psychological stress ranging such as emotional strain, career pressures and financial worries. The human body has several mechanisms to deal with stress which is largely regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Impulses in the brain stimulate the master gland of the body (pituitary) and hypothalamus to [...]

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Scurvy (Severe Vitamin C Deficiency)

Dr. Chris — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:12:26 +0000

What is scurvy? Scurvy is a condition that arises with a severe lack of vitamin C in the diet. The deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) impacts on various organs and tissues in the body since vitamin C is an important micronutrient for health. It is important to note that scurvy arises only with a severe and prolonged deficiency of vitamin C and in some cases it can be serious enough to cause death. However, a better understanding of the pathophysiology has made scurvy easy to treat with simple measures like dietary modification and supplementation. Within days to weeks the symptoms resolve and there may be no permanent complications. How common is scurvy? In this day and age, vitamin C deficiency is uncommon and scurvy is a very rare condition. However, in the 16th to 18th century it was a commonly seen condition especially among seafarers who were out at sea for months and did not have access to foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits. Scurvy is found more commonly in adult males and infants in the 6 to 12 month age group. In developed nations the reason for vitamin C is largely due to a diet [...]

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Everyday Foods To Avoid In Celiac Disease

Dr. Chris — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:35:43 +0000

Celiac disease is a condition that is receiving much more attention these days. Up until 2003, there was still uncertainty as to whether it should be classified as a condition on its own. However, a better understanding about the condition and public awareness means that celiac disease is now getting the recognition particularly in the media. But celiac disease is more than just gluten intolerance or a wheat allergy. The range of foods that can be a problem to a person suffering with celiac disease can extend well beyond what is thought to be a trigger. Ideally every person with celiac disease should consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist for a comprehensive eating plan that is individually tailored to the patient’s personal and cultural taste preferences. Unfortunately this is not always possible and many patients are misled into believing that they can safely consume many foods that are actually not suitable. The importance of dietary management in celiac disease cannot be overstressed. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown but it appears to run in families. Consuming wheat or other gluten-containing foods is not the cause. Instead wheat serves as the trigger due to the presence of a [...]

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Tips On Unhealthy Diets And Bad Eating Habits

Dr. Chris — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:17:15 +0000

Every few months there is a new diet making waves in the media. For many people trying to lose weight, fad diets appear to offer new hope in achieving their weight loss goals. And for those who want to keep off the pounds and stay healthy, these diets may offer a better option than their current eating plan. But certain diets are not without its dangers and it may take several months before the medical experts clarify the potentially harmful effects of adopting these eating habits. Due to the diversity of diet plans, it is difficult to know differentiate those that are dangerous from those that are not. But there are some types of diets that can be a problem. Remember that the main way to lose weight, should you not have any contributing medical condition(s), is to balance your calorie intake. In other words you should not be consuming more calories that you need. And you should try to increase your calorie output through physical activity if you are trying to lose weight. There are a host of other aspects in weight loss but the fundamentals still revolves around calorie input and output. Radical changes in diet may yield [...]

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7 Allergy Foods And Edible Triggers You Should Avoid

Dr. Chris — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:30:11 +0000

Most of us just worry about the taste of the food we are eating. Is it well spiced? Does it have enough salt? But for people with allergies, every meal is a potential obstacle course of what to eat, not eat or sample with caution. Food allergies are not uncommon. It is often seen in children, many of whom outgrow it. But allergies can be just as much of a problem for adults and the dietary and even lifestyle changes that follow can be a bother. Remember that allergens are not only in foods. More commonly allergens are in the environment and when airborne, it can be inhaled and trigger an allergic reaction. However, food allergies are more likely to trigger a severe allergic reaction than airborne allergens. How foods trigger allergies? An allergy is a reaction of your body’s immune system. Your immune system is supposed to react to an danger, be it biological or chemical. But with an allergy, your immune system reacts to substances that are otherwise harmless. With a food allergy, these harmless substances known as allergens are the foods that you may eat. When you eat any food, the chemicals in it first make contact [...]

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Worst Foods For Diabetics That Should Be Avoided

Dr. Chris — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 22:45:03 +0000

Eating like a diabetic is often said to be the way that every person should eat, even non-diabetics. Certain foods affect glucose levels in different ways. But the body of a non-diabetic is able to intervene to prevent sudden spikes (sharp increases) in blood glucose levels. Diabetics cannot do so as efficiently. Therefore foods that can rapidly increase blood glucose levels have to be avoided. But these problem foods are not always as obvious as one would think. Refined sugar is a problem in diabetes but so are many other foods that may not have a sweet taste. Simply going by foods which taste sweeter than others is a careless way to control your diet if you are a diabetic. Choosing Foods for Diabetes Normally the body keeps a fairly tight control over the blood glucose levels. It ensures that these levels stay within a relatively narrow range, between approximately 79.2 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L) to 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L). Even though the blood glucose levels can dip slightly lower or rise slightly higher and still be within the norm, the blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus can rise above 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). The reason for this inability to limit [...]

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Top 5 Cholesterol-Fighting Foods That You Should Eat Daily

Dr. Chris — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:48:35 +0000

High blood cholesterol is a common problem throughout the world, often affecting people from their mid-30s onwards. However, with the rise in obesity and a diet abundant in fat and refined carbohydrates, high blood cholesterol levels are now being seen in younger adults even in their 20s. Diet is of course a factor, but so is genetics and other lifestyle aspects. Controlling what you eat and avoiding certain foods can therefore be helpful. But some foods even have the ability to help lower your cholesterol levels and should be consumed in larger amounts. These cholesterol-fighting foods are not new. They are not specially designed super foods that cost large amounts of money. It is everyday food items that is easily available at most supermarkets yet not given much thought of for its cholesterol-fighting ability. The way these foods work differs. Some block the absorption of cholesterol from your digestive tract. Others contains ‘good fats’ that swing the balance in the favor of good cholesterol. These foods may at the very least minimize the effects of high blood cholesterol. Why is cholesterol dangerous? Cholesterol is very important for your health. Only about 20% is sourced from the diet and the other [...]

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Food To Eat and Avoid for Lactose Intolerance Diet

Dr. Chris — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 23:08:41 +0000

Lactose intolerance is one of the most common maldigestion problems in the world. Yet many people live with the condition and do not know that they have lactose intolerance, and may not even change their diet significantly to be symptom-free. But for those with a greater sensitivity to lactose, avoiding certain foods can keep the lactose intolerance symptoms at bay. Lactose intolerance is not associated with any major complications although some people who do not have a balanced diet may suffer with a calcium deficiency when dairy is stopped altogether. What happens with lactose intolerance? The human digestive system breaks down foods into simpler nutrients before it is absorbed. This is done primarily through the action of digestive enzymes secreted by salivary glands in the mouth, stomach, pancreas and small intestine. In lactose intolerance, a person has a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. It is responsible for chemically breaking down lactose. When deficient, lactose remains in the gut in its original state. As a result it affects the water balance within the intestines, causes the intestinal walls to stretch and becomes fermented by the naturally-occurring bacteria in the bowels. Symptoms like nausea and sometimes vomiting, abdominal cramps, excessive gas, bloating [...]

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