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Nutrition Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Nutrition

The Use Of Carnitine And Pyruvate In Weight Management, Karen Phyllis Bergs May 1998

The Use Of Carnitine And Pyruvate In Weight Management, Karen Phyllis Bergs

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Carnitine has been a naturally occurring compound since the beginning of the century, and was considered to be an essential nutrient for quite some time. Carnitine has many essential roles in the body. Carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy, controls ketogenesis, and modulates the acyl-CoA/free CoA ratio. Studies have postulated that exercise decreases carnitine in the body, therefore leading to a deficiency in athletes. Carnitine has also been used as a weight loss product because of its fatty acid oxidation function. Many nutritional supplement companies have marketed on these functions of carnitine, resulting in a big business. …


Obesity: Environment Vs. Genetics, Kammi Marie Reeder Hansen May 1998

Obesity: Environment Vs. Genetics, Kammi Marie Reeder Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals is rising. Between 1980 and 1990 there was an 8% increase in the prevalence of obesity. Obesity is associated with many diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Over $39 billion dollars is spent annually on the illnesses associated with obesity. Our American culture has been blamed for the rise in obesity, yet there are obviously many people living in the American culture that are not obese. Researchers have turned to genetics to explain this phenomenon. This article will examine the many environmental factors that contribute to obesity and …


Herbs: What Is My Choice?, Brooke Dipoma Bouwhuis May 1998

Herbs: What Is My Choice?, Brooke Dipoma Bouwhuis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Medicating oneself with herbal remedies has become and increasing popular phenomenon. It is estimated sales of herbal products were $3.2 million in 1997 (8). One third of educated, upper income Americans aged 25-49 years old are using these products each year (8). This paper is a compilation of information regarding the herbal industry. An overview of food and drug regulations as well as reviewing the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health Education Act clarify where industry is at today. A discussion regarding Germany's Commission E and their contribution to the herbal industry as well as reasons why the US is not following …


Syndrome X: A Review Of The Cluster Of Abnormalities, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Kathryn Lundgren Gurney May 1998

Syndrome X: A Review Of The Cluster Of Abnormalities, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Kathryn Lundgren Gurney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Syndrome X is a cluster of abnormalities including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, upper-body obesity, increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, decreased levels of tissue plasminogen activator, and hyperuricemia. The combined effect of these abnormalities greatly increases risk for Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Individuals at risk for Syndrome X are those with any of the abnormalities (not necessarily all) or with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or early-onset coronary artery disease. Treatment of Syndrome X should be early and aggressive, starting with lifestyle changes. Exercise, proper diet, and weight loss all improve insulin resistance and thereby …


Antioxidants And Alcohol In The Progression Of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Laura Lynne Prestwich May 1998

Antioxidants And Alcohol In The Progression Of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Laura Lynne Prestwich

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Wasting syndrome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) appears to play a role in decline of immune function. Along with poor appetite, HIV infected individuals seem to have a tendency to be heavy alcohol drinkers which may be immunosuppressive and cause malnutrition. Altered macronutrient metabolism visibly contributes to wasting; however, micronutrient deficiencies also appear to play a role. Micronutrient deficiency has also been known to decrease immune function. As part of their role as antioxidants, P-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium may be helpful in altering cell production and response to cytokines and other secretions. This may decrease viral replication …


Vegetarianism, Kimberly A. Folkman May 1998

Vegetarianism, Kimberly A. Folkman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Although vegetarian eating has been around throughout recorded history, in recent years, interest in this eating style has gone up dramatically. As the number of individuals adopting vegetarian dietary practices increases, healthcare professionals are called upon to provide guidance and advice. It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Both vegetarian and nonvegetarian eating patterns can be healthful-or detrimental to your health. Studies indicate that vegetarians often have lower morbidity and mortality rates from several chronic degenerative …


Protein-Based Diets: Fact Or Fiction?, Melanie Douglass May 1998

Protein-Based Diets: Fact Or Fiction?, Melanie Douglass

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Protein-based diets are once again popular among the those vulnerable to quick weight loss schemes. Advocates for these diets claim quick, permanent weight loss, disease prevention, improved physical performance, and even enhanced mental productivity. It is claimed that a diet high in carbohydrate contributes to hyperinsulinemia, fat storage, and "bad" eicosanoid production among other things. However, the detrimental effect of a low carbohydrate, high protein diet is rarely discussed. Subjects who follow protein-based diets are prone to a state of ketosis, which causes them to lose an unhealthy amount of nutrients and water. In general the protein-based diets are a …


Targeting Minority Groups In Community Nutrition, Trisha Sisson Brimhall May 1998

Targeting Minority Groups In Community Nutrition, Trisha Sisson Brimhall

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A community nutritionist takes on the immense task of "improving the nutrition, and ... health of individuals and groups within communities" (1). These objectives are generally met by private sector sponsors such as health care facilities, work-site wellness programs and food banks. If the arena of public health is included, then the dietitian's scope is enlarged to include federally-funded agencies designed to improve public health and disease prevention (1). Skills required of these community dietitians not only include clinical knowledge and assessment skills, but marketing, education, and research competencies. The challenges of community nutrition range from counseling an individual on …


The Maternal Diet Can Prevent Neural Tube Defects, Shannon Michelle Gardner May 1998

The Maternal Diet Can Prevent Neural Tube Defects, Shannon Michelle Gardner

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Maternal diet and nutritional status have a direct impact on pregnancy course and outcome. Nutrition is critical to the development of the human embryo and fetus. Each year in the United States, approximately 4000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTD). The most important finding in recent years has been the relationship between maternal folic acid status and NTDs. Other studies have found an association between zinc deficiency and an increased risk for having an NTD-affected pregnancy. Furthermore, some of the latest research has linked maternal obesity with the development of NTDs. The cumulative data from several studies have …


The Beneficial Effects Of Supplemental Vitamins C And E In Diabetic Subjects, Jessica Rupp Gibbons May 1998

The Beneficial Effects Of Supplemental Vitamins C And E In Diabetic Subjects, Jessica Rupp Gibbons

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Few reviews have been written related to the benefits of supplementing vitamin C and E in diabetic individuals. Excessive protein glycosylation is seen in persons with diabetes, and vitamin E and C have been shown to be beneficial in decreasing the glycosylation of proteins. In addition, vitamins E and Care potent antioxidants and actively reduce oxidation, triglycerides, and free fatty acid levels in diabetics. Diabetics may benefit from supplementing vitamins E and C.