Irene Christodoulou's Corner

Krill Oil vs Fish Oil: Study Conclusions There is no difference in how much Omega-3 is absorbed into your body No difference in the reduction of cholesterol No difference in the reduction of triglycerides No difference between HDL cholesterol No difference in markers of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostane) No difference in markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein) Krill Oil’s Little Surprise! For the most part, this paper says that krill oil is better than fish oil. But there was a nasty little surprise hidden in there! Unlike fish oil, Krill oil increases the level of Arachidonic acid (AA) in your body. Yikes! AA is a nasty little Omega-6 that causes a lot of health problems if its levels are too high. Dr. Barry Sears calls AA “possibly the most dangerous fat known. If you inject AA into rabbits, they will die within 3 minutes.” Your body needs tiny little amounts of AA, but get a little more than you need…and you have the perfect ingredient to create pain and ...

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidants that help fend off damaging substances called free radicals. Vitamin E is often suggested to help prevent heart disease and cancer due to its antioxidant properties. However, the possible benefits of antioxidant activity in humans is not definitive. The time of day you take vitamin E doesn't appear to impact its effectiveness, though taking supplements after meals may prevent possible side effects. Considerations The consumption of vitamin E and other dietary supplements during the day, after eating, is preferable to taking vitamins on an empty stomach. Taking vitamins on a full stomach can help your body absorb the maximum amount of nutrients. Some people feel queasy if they take vitamins on an empty stomach. You may want to take vitamin E in the evening after eating, since dinner is often a larger and more filling meal than breakfast or lunch. Read more:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/447814-should-i-take-vitamin-e-...

Unlike LA in foods, LA in supplements is free, meaning it is not bound to protein . Moreover, the amounts of LA available in dietary supplements (200-600 mg) are likely as much as 1,000 times greater than the amounts that could be obtained in the diet. In Germany, LA is approved for the treatment of diabetic neuropathies and is available by prescription. LA is available as a dietary supplement without a prescription in the U.S. Most LA supplements contain a  (50/50) mixture of  R -LA and  S -LA ( d,l -LA). Supplements that claim to contain only  R -LA are usually more expensive, and information regarding their purity is not currently available. Since taking LA with a meal decreases its  bioavailability , it is generally recommended that LA be taken on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after eating). SOURCE:  http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/la/

Let's Move! is a campaign to end childhood obesity in the United States. The campaign was started by First Lady Michelle Obama. The initiative has the initially stated goal of "solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight."    The campaign was announced on February 9, 2010 by the First Lady. She indicated the campaign would encourage healthier food in schools, better food labeling and more physical activity for children. On the same date, President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum creating the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to review current programs and develop a national action plan.    Let's Move! seeks to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity and encourage a healthy lifestyle through "a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative that addresses all of the various factors that lead to childhood obesity [. . .] engaging every sector o...

GABA, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a supplement used by bodybuilders as well as by others for a variety of reasons. GABA is a neurotransmitter (the most abundant ‘inhibitory’ neurotransmitter in the human brain) that has two useful functions. The first is to act as a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which basically means that your brain has more serotonin floating around in it, which prepares the body for sleep. For this reason it’s used as a sleeping aid for those with insomnia or those who just struggle with getting to sleep or have an early start or busy day ahead. Extra serotonin also leads to a pleasant mood which means that GABA can also be used as an anti depressant. This feels like an almost ‘numbness’ or disconnection however rather than euphoria or giddiness. I felt like Mr Spock, as though I had no emotions at all – it wasn’t just the negative ones that disappeared. As someone with no mood problems myself, I actually found this rather unpleasant and was remind...