Food, Cardiovascular Disease, and Sustainability.

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Dr. Gary Pack

The way food is produced today is responsible for a large part of current environmental problems. “…more specifically the global production of food is responsible for upward of 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (from food production through to consumption) and more than 70% of fresh water uses (withdrawn from rivers, lakes, and aquifers.” Agriculture […]

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Conditions: Biodiversity, Cardiovascular disease, Environmental pollution

Supplements: Iron, Omega-3 fatty (linolenic) acid, Zinc

Foods: Cheese, Dairy, Farmed fish, Fish, Fishmeal, Fruits, Grains, Groundnuts, Meat, Milk, Nuts, Olive oil, Palm oil, Rapeseed oil, Rice, Soybean oil, Sugar cane, Sugars, Sunflower oil, Vegetables, Wheat, Yogurt

Miscellaneous: Environmental footprint, Groundwater, Pollinators, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian, Water footprint

Omega-3 and Brain Injury.

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Dr. Gary Pack

Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil may prevent physical deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). This was the result of a study on mice, some of which were given omega-3 before the brain trauma. Omega-3 is known to be beneficial in other neurologic disorders and has a very good safety rating […]

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Conditions: Cognitive impairment, Inflammation, Multiple sclerosis, Traumatic brain injury

Supplements: Docosahexanoic acid (DHA), Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), Fish oil, Omega-3 fatty (linolenic) acid, Omega-6 fatty (linoleic) acid

Miscellaneous: Central nervous system, Gray matter, Myelin, Oligodendrocytes, Peripheral nervous system, White matter

Effects of High Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids.

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

The normal human body can produce all of the fatty acids it needs except for omega-3 (ALA or alpha-linolenic) and omega-6 (LA or linoleic acid). Therefore, these are called essential fatty acids and must be consumed. Dietary sources of LA are sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, cereals, animal fat, and wholegrain bread. Dietary sources […]

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Nutritional Supplements for Macular Degeneration.

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the world, and the number of people expected to have AMD in the United States is rising because of the aging population. Previous studies have shown that people who consume more carotenoids, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of developing […]

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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 […]

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Anti-Hypertensive Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods.

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

High blood pressure (hypertension,) with blood pressure over 140/90, is a risk for stroke, kidney disease and heart disease. Alternative therapy is beneficial in hypertension, especially in early, mild hypertension that doesn’t need prescription treatment. Certain foods and herbs have chemical and relaxation functions similar to anti-hypertensive medications. A specific cause of essential hypertension cannot […]

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Protective Nutrients.

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Certain nutrients are beneficial when taken in doses above the accepted daily doses. They can reduce inflammation, improve immune functioning, and improve the barrier at the inner lining of the intestine. People who have surgery, cancer, and severe burns as well as immunosuppressed patients can benefit by immune nutrients. Included in this paper are glutamine, […]

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Glutamine as an Immunonutrient.

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

Immunonutrients, which improve immune function, have been shown to benefit patients at times of surgery or during critical illness. They improve immunity when given in large doses with resulting shorter hospital stays. Some examples are arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, nucleotides (components of DNA and RNA), beta-carotene, and branched-chain amino acids. Glutamine amino acid is […]

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Acne, Probiotics and the Gut.

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

“Acne Vulgaris, Probiotics and the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis-Back to the Future?”

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Curcumin Increases DHA in the Brain.

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Dr. Gary Pack

A deficiency of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is linked to anxiety and DHA is necessary for brain development and neuroprotection. However, DHA must be obtained from the diet or from the breakdown of dietary chemicals. These natural processes are not very efficient. Curcumin, an extract of turmeric, improves the action of DHA in the brain, and […]

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Conditions: Anxiety, Cognitive impairment, DHA deficiency

Supplements: Curcumin, Docosahexanoic acid (DHA), Omega-3 fatty (linolenic) acid, Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Foods: Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Miscellaneous: Neuroprotection, Plant-based diet