Diets of Very Low Food Security Children.

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes results from the consumption of high energy, but nutrient-poor foods. Mexican-origin youth are at increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes at the United States border. The present study is of food insecurity* in Mexican-origin children living along the Texas border (in settlements called colonias). In this […]

View Post

Conditions: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Food insecurity, Nutrient deficiency, Obesity, Poverty

Supplements: Calcium, Dietary fiber, Potassium, Protein, Vitamin D

Foods: Fried foods, Fruits, Vegetables

Miscellaneous: Body mass index (BMI), Calories, Diet, Energy, Fats, Mexican, Nutrition, Sodium, Sugar

Bacteria, Food and Cancer.

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Humans benefit from gut bacteria, but they may be harmful. Human gut bacteria help digest food, produce many chemicals for nutrition, and alter the immune system. Abnormalities of the pattern of microbes in the gut are influenced by our diets and appear to be associated with specific diseases, including cancer. Some bacteria play roles in […]

View Post

Conditions: Cancer, Clostridium difficile infection, Colitis, Colon cancer, Diabetes, Diarrhea, DNA damage, Gastric (stomach) cancer, Gastric lymphoma, Helicobacter pylori infection, Inflammatory bowel disease, Obesity, Prostate cancer, Stomach ulcer

Supplements: Acetic acid, Butyric acid, Ellagic acid, Isoflavones

Foods: Beef, Berries, Nuts

Miscellaneous: Acetic acid, Bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis, Diet, Energy, Escherichia coli, Intestinal bacteria, Microbiome, Micronutrient, Proprionic acid, Short chain fatty acids, Symbiosis, Western diet

Algae and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Blue green algae (BGA), or cyanobacteria, are capable of photosynthesis. They have been used as food for humans for centuries. BGA contain amino acids, gamma-linoleic acid, fiber, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorous, iron, beta-carotene, and chlorophyll. The many effects of BGA are antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, antibacterial and lipid-lowering. The result is that BGA […]

View Post

Conditions: Cirrhosis, Diabetes, Hepatocellular cancer, Inflammation, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Obesity, Oxidative stress, Pregnancy

Supplements: Beta-carotene, Blue green algae, Calcium, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Fiber, Iron, Phosphorus, Spirulina, Vitamin B, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E

Miscellaneous: Anti-allergic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Photosynthesis

Capsaicin and Body Fat.

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Around the world, 2.8 million people die annually due to being overweight or obese. This is the result of excess energy intake over energy expenditure. Capsaicin from red chili pepper increases energy expenditure and is currently being considered as treatment for obesity. Capsaicin is thermogenic (burns energy). The Scoville scale is a rating of the […]

View Post

Conditions: Abdominal obesity, Obesity, Overweight, Thermogenesis, Weight loss

Supplements: Capsaicin, Cayenne (Capsicum species)

Foods: Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Selenium Levels, Lifestyle and Demographics.

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Selenium is an essential trace mineral with a strong antioxidant effect which must be obtained from the diet. It plays a role in the production of antioxidants containing selenium, such as glutathione peroxidase which is important in detoxification. Many factors determine body selenium levels. Older age, alcohol use and cigarette smoking may reduce selenium levels. […]

View Post

Conditions: Aging, Alcohol abuse, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, Detoxification, Gender, Obesity, Overweight, Oxidative stress, Smokers

Supplements: Antioxidants, Glutathione peroxidase, Selenium

Foods: Alcohol, Beef, Bread, Coffee, Dairy, Eggs, White rice

Miscellaneous: Body mass index (BMI), Diet, Environment, Lifestyle

Stimulation of the Endocannabinoid System

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

The eCB receptors are widely expressed in the body and associated with the nervous system cells and immune system cells. The basic messages of the eCB system are “relax, eat, sleep, forget, and protect.” The system modulates neuroplasticity, neuroprotection, immunity, inflammation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. Cells of obese people have increased eCB tone, and eCB antagonists […]

View Post

Vitamin D and Women’s Reproductive Health.

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

In North America and Western Europe very little vitamin D comes from the diet, and fish is a good source. Most of our vitamin D comes from sun exposure. The natural form of vitamin D is 1,25(OH)2D3. Blood testing is done on 25(OH)D3, with levels below 30 ng/ml being low. Vitamin D is important for […]

View Post

Urine acidification, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Diet alters the acidity of the body. High intake of protein produces sulfuric acid, causing acidosis with urine acidification. This alters human bone health adversely with resulting elimination of calcium. The metabolic syndrome includes abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and possible cardiovascular disease. Metabolic acidosis causes increased production of cortisol, […]

View Post

Conditions: Abdominal obesity, Acidosis (acidity), Bone disease, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Hyperuricemia, Insulin resistance, Kidney disease, Liver disease, Metabolic acidosis, Obesity

Supplements: Cysteine, Methionine

Miscellaneous: C-reactive protein, Cortisol, Diet, HDL-cholesterol, High protein, pH, Phenolics, Uric acid (urate)

Fucoxanthin Marine Carotenoids.

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

This article is a review of the ways that fucoxanthin can benefit human health. Fucoxanthin from brown sea weed (such as U. pinnatifida), algae and diatoms is a part of the family of chemicals called carotenoids. Edible brown macroalgae are commonly eaten in parts of Asia. Fucoxanthin has shown many properties, including antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, […]

View Post

Conditions: Angiogenesis, Cancer, Diabetes, Inflammation, Malaria, Obesity, Oxidation

Supplements: Carotenoids, Fucoxanthin, Macroalgae, Marine algae, Marine brown algae

Miscellaneous: Anti-angiogenesis, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-obese, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Diatoms, Diet, UV (ultraviolet) light

Dietary Fiber and Health.

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Eating dietary fiber and whole grains in our food reduces obesity, diabetes type 2, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Fibers contain a mixture of starches, vitamins, minerals, plant chemicals, antioxidants and are a good energy source. Dietary fiber includes soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. Soluble fibers resist digestion and absorption in the intestine until they are fermented […]

View Post

Conditions: Appetite, Breast cancer, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, Colorectal cancer, Diabetes, Larynx cancer, Mouth cancer, Obesity, Small intestine cancer

Supplements: Antioxidants, Beta glucan, Bifidobacterium sp., Carotenoids, Dietary fiber, Inulin, Lignans, Minerals, Pectin, Prebiotics, Vitamins

Foods: Bran, Fruits, Starch, Vegetables, Whole grains

Miscellaneous: Arabinoxylan, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Glycemic index, Insulin