r This is such an interesting paper on a most important topic, adipose tissue. All mammals are provided with two distinct adipose cells, white and brown adipocytes. White adipocytes store lipids to provide fuel to the organism, allowing intervals between meals. Brown adipocytes use lipids to produce heat. Previous descriptions have placed these tissues in…
Read moreTop of page Genetic polymorphisms in the one-carbon folate pathway have been widely studied in association with a number of conditions. Most of the research has focused on the 677C>T polymorphism in the coding region of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. However, there are a total of 25 genes in this pathway coding for enzymes,…
Read moreTwin studies are an elegant method of resolving complex problems, comparing like with like with one variable different. Exercise is thought to reduce high-risk body fat, but intervention studies are frequently limited by short follow-ups and observational studies by genetic selection. In this elegant study for Finland Leskinen and colleagues studied the effects of a…
Read moreThis review by Pappas and Schaich discusses Vaccinium macrocarpon, the American cranberry, recording a comprehensive list of phytochemical components, and their prevalence in cranberry fruit and its products. Increased dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables may improve increased cardiovascular health and may reduced the risk of cancer, stroke, degenerative diseases, loss of functionality associated with…
Read moreC G Owen et al ( 2009 ) Is body mass index before middle age related to coronary heart disease risk in later life? Evidence from observational International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 866–877; Although obesity beginning early in life is becoming more common, This study examined the relationship of body mass index (BMI) before…
Read moreTaste is a major determinant of children’s food preferences, but much has yet to be known of its development with age. This includes the acceptance of tastes and their developmental changes over the first year, and to compare acceptance across tastes. It is important to know within-subject variability of acceptance across tastes.In this very interesting…
Read moreK Melzer et al (2009 ) Pregnancy-related changes in activity energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate in Switzerland . European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63, 1185–1191. This study looked at resting metabolic rate , activity energy expenditure, total energy expenditure and physical activity pattern, that is, duration and intensity (in metabolic equivalents, METs) of activities…
Read moreR Santos et al (2009) .Walking and body mass index in a Portuguese sample of adults: a multilevel analysis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 63, 1260–1262; Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for many chronic diseases. This study examined if there were any realtionship between how much individuals walked and body mass index (BMI).…
Read moreIn a very interesting paper in Nature , Keiser et al discuss methods of predicting molecular targets for new drugs. It is a comprehensive review of drug – target interactions. Drugs are intended to be selective but often bind to several physiological targets which cold explain side effects and efficacy. The authors selected 3665 drugs…
Read moreThe September edition of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition ed Fergus Clydesdale( vol 49 issue 8 ) is devoted to Key events Dose Response Framework. This is a systematic review of key events which occur between the initial dose of a biologically active substance and the effect. The substance will be1. ingested, absorbed…
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