The benefits of olive oil We know the amazing benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), such as a huge array of beneficial polyphenols and fats that are good for your heart and brain. EVOO also has a high smoke point, so you can fry and bake with it unless you’re cooking at very high […]
The Benefits of Micronutrients We know fruit and vegetables contain healthy micronutrients – vitamins and minerals, but did you know that different methods of food preparation can affect the levels of vitamin content and bioavailability (how well they’re absorbed). It appears some micronutrients are most available and better absorbed: eaten raw if food is cooked […]
The marketing of antioxidant supplements We have been marketed to by antioxidant supplements for years, with their health and longevity benefits being touted no end. The theory goes something like this: 1. Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species, create oxidative stress and other cellular damage and accelerate the ageing process. 2. Anti-oxidants neutralise free radicals […]
In my last post, I wrote about the fact that the marketing and hype around taking antioxidant supplements are not supported by the research – and that numerous research studies show that taking anti-oxidant supplements (especially individual supplements) may actually cause us harm – partly by down-regulating our own natural antioxidant defence system. However, it’s […]
In the late 1800’s, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” It is a phrase often used to explain the resilience of people who have endured hardships. It turns out that it certainly contains more than a grain of truth. My interest in this subject arose from undergoing a […]
There is so much in the media and the blogosphere about cutting out grains and living a life similar to that of the caveman through a Paleo diet. Although some of the claims of the Paleo community don’t stand up to good scientific scrutiny, there are many people who have seen incredible results including weight […]
Eggs have had gone from good to bad and now back to good. They are a great source of protein and good fats (if you buy free range eggs). Eating eggs for breakfast keeps you fuller for longer, so you eat less throughout the day, which can lead to weight loss. They are also good […]
In the words of Charles Darwin: ‘It is not the strongest of species that survive, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.’ Our species has become the most dominant species on earth, partly because it has adapted to change better than any other species. Genetic mutations […]
This week we’re going to talk about HIIT, or high-intensity interval training. HIIT is on the rise and for very good reasons – firstly, traditional endurance training is known being shown to be bad for our health when performed excessively (more on that in the next blog), and HIIT training has been shown to improve […]
Most of us have had it drummed into us that fat is bad and we should only be eating food low in fat to prevent heart disease, obesity, diabetes and a host of other preventative diseases. However, does the evidence reflect the guidelines we have grown up on? To look at this properly, we need […]