Nicolas Paraskevopulos
Mega dosing fish oil supplements: some safety considerations
We all like our fish oil supplements and with reason. Well-known benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are their ability to lower circulating triglycerides and blood pressure. Less proven are the claims regarding anxiety, depression, vision and cancer. These days a lot of nutrition gurus and supplement companies are trying to sell you the idea that “more is better”. They sometimes advice the most ridiculous intakes in order to sell more of… Continue reading
Very-low-calorie diet disrupts hunger-regulating hormones up to one year after weight loss
How many of you have tried a crash diet in an attempt to lose weight as fast as possible? How many of you succeeded in keeping the weight off? A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has revealed that a very-low-calorie diet disrupts hunger hormones up to a year after the diet was finished. This makes it harder for people to keep the lost weight off.
Our appetite is regulated by… Continue reading
Dark chocolate acts as a natural ACE inhibitor
The protective effect of cocoa against cardiovascular disease has been suggested by numerous studies. Multiple mechanism have been proposed, but researchers from the Linköping University have recently revealed one potential mechanism, as dark chocolate consumption inhibited an enzyme capable of increasing blood pressure.
Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) catalyzes the conversion of the inactive angiotensin I in the blood to the active angiotensin II. The active form makes the blood vessels contract, which builds up the… Continue reading
Resveratrol may mimic the metabolic effects of calorie restriction in obese men
Numerous in-vitro and animal studies have investigated the role of resveratrol as a mimetic of calorie restriction, but these results were yet to be replicated in humans. Researchers from The Netherlands have now demonstrated that 30 days of resveratrol supplementation mimicked the metabolic effects of calorie restriction in a small sample of healthy, obese individuals.
Resveratrol is a compound that is naturally found in the skin of red grapes, peanuts, dark chocolate and red wine.… Continue reading
Creatine May Improve Brain Performance
Creatine monohydrate is a popular sports supplement commonly used in explosive sports to boost exercise performance. A study, from researchers from The University of Sidney, has shown that creatine monohydrate is also capable of improving cognitive performance in vegetarians and vegans.
Creatine is naturally produced in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine. Besides the fact that creatine can be produced in our body, most if it is ingested from… Continue reading
Nicolas Paraskevopulos is a sports- and nutrition enthusiast. He is a dietitian and is now finishing his Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Sciences.