Diet & Nutrition

Health Considerations for Alcohol Use

June 3, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Alcoholic beverages can be an enjoyable and mildly impactful part of a healthy diet, for those that choose to partake. But there are important considerations to remember. Alcohol has calories Alcohol has calories – 7 per gram. And while alcohol in pure form isn’t normally imbibed in large quantities, it is often part of beverages that have a high calorie count. Sugary mixed drinks, beer, wine, and many other types of alcoholic drinks all have significant calories. If you are trying to lose weight, or to keep weight off, try to keep away from alcoholic drinks as much as possible. Calories and Macronutrients Alcohol is not a macronutrient, but does contain calories (which means the body can use it for [Read more …]

What is the Keto Diet?

January 29, 2019 Tim 1

What is the Ketogenic diet? It’s a high-fat, low-carb diet that sends your body into a state of ketosis, during which it primarily uses dietary fat and body fat for energy instead of glucose from carbs. Ketone bodies, which are the by-product of the metabolism of fat, rise to elevated levels in the blood. Ketosis is generally recognized to occur when ketone levels rise to 0.5 mmol/L or more. This can happen about 2 days after starting severe carb restrictions – which means eating less than 20-35 grams of carbs per day. However, it can take 4-6 weeks before the body is fully adapted to ketosis. Keto, as the ketogenic diet is known, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that forces [Read more …]

Understanding Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL)

May 15, 2018 Tim 2

Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) help us understand how specific foods we eat impact our blood sugar (or glucose) levels. This in turn has a direct impact on the energy levels you have (or lack), and how quickly excess energy is stored as body fat. Of the three macronutrient types (protein, fat, and carbohydrates), carbs are the primary energy source the body prefers. When you consume foods containing carbs (sugars and starches) these are broken down into glucose by your digestive system. The glucose then enters your bloodstream, and is transported elsewhere in your body to be used for energy, or to be stored for later use in the liver and skeletal muscle as glycogen. What is the [Read more …]

The Paleo Diet – Is It Right for You?

July 20, 2018 Tim Comments Off

What is the Paleo Diet? Today we’re going to talk about the Paleo diet – a nutritional strategy (and lifestyle) that claims to leverage our body’s evolutionary eating adaptations for maximum health. The Paleo diet requires eating the foods our ancient ancestors ate and to avoid modern foods (and quantities) that aren’t compatible with our bodies. The core premise of the Paleo diet is that modern foods and diets have strayed too far from what our bodies and digestive systems have adapted to via tens of thousands of years of evolution. Further, its proponents believe modern foods and the associated mismatch with our real dietary needs is the biggest driving factor behind the modern “diseases of civilization”: Type 2 Diabetes [Read more …]

Additional Protein Enhances Strength and Muscle Mass With Resistance Training

March 24, 2018 Tim Comments Off

A study recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concludes that protein supplementation is beneficial for those who partake in resistance training – for both increased strength and muscle mass. Individuals who took part in prolonged bouts of resistance training and who took in above average amounts of protein obtained the best results. Protein, one of the three primary macronutrient groups, is key to tissue repair, muscle protein synthesis, and other important processes of the body. Consuming extra protein to support strength training has been recommended by many for years, of course, but this study (which is a meta-analysis based on many other studies) further reinforces the point with scientific evidence. Perhaps most interesting is the conclusion that [Read more …]

New Study Shows No Heart Disease Protection from Fish Oil Supplements

July 19, 2022 Tim Comments Off

A new meta-analysis study published on the JAMA Cardiology website shows no coronary heart disease (CHD) protection from using fish oil supplements. A meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies. This study covered 10 clinical trials including over 77,000 participants. The results reinforce the findings of a previous AHA study from last year that showed similar results. From the study: “The results provide no support for current recommendations to use omega-3 fatty acid supplements for the prevention of fatal coronary heart disease or any cardiovascular disease in people who have or at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.” Fish oil supplementation, while popular, has grown increasingly controversial in the last few years. A wide [Read more …]

Macronutrients and Calories

September 9, 2018 Tim Comments Off

To lose 1 pound of body fat you must have a caloric deficit of 3,600 calories. This can be accomplished by a daily caloric deficit. For example, by consuming 360 calories less than what you need, every day for 10 days you could expect to lose 1 pound. Let’s talk about the three main categories of macronutrients – fat, protein, and carbohydrates. These are the nutrients your body needs in large quantities – for energy and maintenance of cells in the body. The fundamental principle of all weight loss is a deficit in calories. You’ve go to burn more calories than you eat. Your body’s base metabolic needs and physical activity burn the calories you take in. So it’s simple [Read more …]

Omega-6 Fats – What You Need To Know

May 15, 2018 Tim 1

Omega-6 fatty acids (often called just omega-6 fats) are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are important for a number of functions in the body. They are a type of essential fatty acid so-called because they are required by the body, but cannot be manufactured or synthesized by the body. Therefore, your diet is an important source of these fats. Omega-6 fats are essential for proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system. They also stimulate skin and hair growth, provide and maintain good bone health, help regulate the metabolism, and help keep the reproductive system healthy. There are several omega-6 fats, including: linoleic acid (one of several), eicosadienoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and arachidonic acid [Read more …]

Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fats

May 15, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Omega-3 fatty acids (often called just omega-3s) are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are important for a number of functions in the body. They are a type of essential fatty acid so-called because they are required by the body, but cannot be manufactured by the body. Therefore, your diet is an important source of these. Omega-3s can be found in cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon or sardines, or shellfish such as oysters and scallops. Flaxseed, canola oil, and walnuts also are other good dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Because of the importance of these fats, it’s also become popular to use supplements such as fish oil as a source of Omega-3s. The three principal omega-3 fatty [Read more …]

New Year’s Resolution 2020 – Tips for Fitness Success.

December 20, 2019 Tim Comments Off

New Year’s – Not the only time to make a profound change We believe that making a profound lifestyle change for health and fitness sake is something you can do any time of the year – not just at New Year’s. But we also understand the excitement and fervor for a fresh start with the new calendar year. We’re happy to contribute some tips and tricks to maximize your success. With that in mind, consider that all these tips and tricks apply at any time of the year. The time-honored tradition of the New Year’s Resolution is just about upon us again for 2020. (Time flies when you are having fun!) Soon you’ll hear countless declarations from your friends and [Read more …]