PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
IMPROVING CARBOHYDRATE LABELLING TO CUT THROUGH THE CONFUSION With carbohydrates top of the pops as the world’s favourite dietary villain, you’d think mandatory Nutrition Facts/Information panels would provide all of the important information about them to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. But they don’t. Carbohydrates include the maltodextrins, starches and sugars that we are …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
PROTEIN POWER Protein is one of the more popular and positive nutrition buzzwords today, with a myriad packaged processed foods declaring that they are high in protein. But what exactly is protein, what are the best sources, how much are we consuming, and do we really need those protein balls and shakes? Proteins are chemical …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
Juiced? We have been juicing fruits for a long time. Here’s a short summary. Wine is fermented grape juice – the fermentation process is a way of preserving the fruit– and it looks like we’ve been making it for about 8000 years. Archeologists have found that the people living at Gadachrili Gora and a nearby …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
THE PANCREAS – UNLOVED, BUT ESSENTIAL The pancreas is an essential organ responsible for both the digestion of food and blood glucose regulation. It was first identified by Greek anatomist and surgeon, Herophilus, around 2300 years ago. A few hundred years later, Rufus of Ephesus, another Greek anatomist, gave the pancreas its name. “Pancreas” originally …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
DIABETES TIMES FIVE While we have known about diabetes for several thousand years, our knowledge and understanding of its causes, pathophysiology and management is constantly evolving. One of the more important areas of research that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves is how we classify the different types. It’s important because it affects how we …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
SOCIAL DRINKING Many factors influence what, when, and how much we drink, including taste, cultural background, religious beliefs, budget, health, and social occasion … Drinking lubricates most social functions. It’s one of life’s pleasures. So, let’s look at some of the more popular options. Water Plain water is the best drink to quench your thirst: …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
DO HIGH CARB DIETS INCREASE THE RISK OF DIABETES? High carbohydrate diets, and as a consequence foods and drinks high in carbohydrate, are the current dietary villains. Book store shelves are lined with the latest low-carb fad diet books. Similarly, our supermarket shelves are becoming increasingly stocked with food and drinks that proudly declare that …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
WHICH WEIGHT LOSS DIET HELPS YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT AND LIVE LONGER? New year’s resolutions often include promises to lose weight. While increasing physical activity is commonly part of the equation, for most people, the burden of weight loss reduction focuses on the “diet”. The problem is, which diet? Around 2,500 new “diet” books are …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
NUTS ABOUT CALORIES? Despite the excited claims of the latest fad diet, the proportion of carbohydrate, fat and protein in your diet really doesn’t make much difference when it comes to weight loss. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that provided “the diet” provides less energy (Calories/kilojoules) than what you were consuming before, you will lose weight. …
PERSPECTIVES WITH DR ALAN BARCLAY
DIABETES. IS AN EGG A DAY OK? The answer is a qualified yes. Here’s why. Eggs are popular. They are delicious and convenient and easy to cook. There’s also a steady stream of scientific research looking at whether we can enjoy them as part of our daily fare, or whether we should limit them. Two …
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