WHAT IS PHOSPHORUS? Phosphorus is an important macromineral that keeps your bones and teeth strong. It is the second most abundant macromineral in the human body, accounting for around 1% of an average adult's bodyweight. In this article I am going to look at phosphorus in greater detail and explain why you should ensure it is part of your diet. WHEN WAS PHOSPHORUS DISCOVERED? Phosphorus was accidentally isolated in 1669 by German alchemist Hennig Brand. He was attempting to convert metals into gold and was convinced that urine was the key to doing this. In one of his experiments … [Read more...]
Magnesium Explained
WHAT IS MAGNESIUM? Magnesium is one of the seven macrominerals that your body needs to survive. It has many roles in the body which include supporting healthy bone growth and helping your muscle tissues and nerves to function properly. In this post I am going to take an in depth look at magnesium and the importance of it to your health. WHEN WAS MAGNESIUM DISCOVERED? The history of magnesium dates back to 1618 when the town of Epsom in England was suffering from a severe drought. A local farmer named Henry Wicker noticed that his cows refused to drink from one of the town's wells, … [Read more...]
Chloride Explained
WHAT IS CHLORIDE? Chloride (formed when the element chlorine picks up an electron from a negatively charged ion) is a macromineral that your body uses to maintain a proper fluid balance and is also essential for metabolism. It represents approximately 0.15% of your total bodyweight and can be found in the fluid that surrounds your cells. In this article I will be discussing chloride in greater detail. WHEN WAS CHLORIDE DISCOVERED? Carl Whilhelm Scheele initially discovered chlorine in 1774 and named it dephlogisticated marine acid. However, in the years following the discovery some … [Read more...]
Calcium Explained
Over the last few months I have been discussing the various nutrients that are essential for good health. So far I have covered the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and protein) and the thirteen vitamins in detail. In my next series of posts I am going to be focussing on the micronutrients. Today I am beginning this series and looking at calcium. WHAT IS CALCIUM? Calcium is one of the seven macrominerals needed by your body. It was discovered in its isolated form in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy. The main function of calcium is to support strong bones and teeth. WHEN WAS CALCIUM … [Read more...]
How Much Of Each Macronutrient Should You Consume?
In my recent post on the macronutrients one of my readers asked the question “how much is too much?” when it comes to these nutrients. Today I am going to answer that very question and discuss how much of each macronutrient you should consume. HOW MUCH CARBOHYDRATES, FAT AND PROTEIN SHOULD YOU CONSUME? After doing some research I quickly found that there is no concrete answer when it comes to macronutrient consumption. Some sources suggest going for a high carbohydrate approach. Others suggest getting the majority of your calories from protein. Contrastingly, some people believe a high … [Read more...]
The 3 Macronutrients Explained: Carbohydrates, Fats & Protein
Over the last few months I have been covering the macronutrients in great detail. I have discussed what each of them do, the health benefits they provide, the possible drawbacks of consuming too much and some of the top food sources for each. Today I am going to bring all this information together and tell you everything you need to know about macronturients. WHAT ARE THE MACRONUTRIENTS? The macronutrients are the three main nutrients your body needs need to survive. Your body needs each macronutrient in relatively large quantities to function properly. So what are the three … [Read more...]
6 Excellent Sources Of Dietary Fat
In my last few blog posts I have discussed the different types of dietary fats in detail. I have covered the many health benefits dietary fats can offer and the potential negative side effects of consuming too much. Today I want to wrap up this article series by listing six excellent sources of dietary fat. 1) ALMONDS:- Almonds are a fantastic source of monounsaturated fat with a 100g serving coming in at 612 calories and offering 33.7g of monounsaturated fat. They are also rich in protein (which helps produce, maintain and repair your body's cells), vitamin B2 (which helps your body … [Read more...]
The Disadvantages Of Consuming Too Much Dietary Fat
My previous articles on dietary fat have discussed the various types and came to the conclusion that numerous health benefits can be enjoyed if you make saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat part of your diet. However, like so many other foods with potential health benefits, consuming too much can be bad for you. In this article I am going to be discussing the disadvantages of overindulging on dietary fats. 1) WEIGHT GAIN:- One of the main differences between dietary fat and the other two macronutrients (carbohydrates and protein) is the number of calories. Dietary … [Read more...]
3 Healthy Christmas Dinner Desserts
When it comes to festive desserts mince pies and Christmas pudding are almost always on the menu. Whilst both are tasty, traditional treats they are also high in calories and refined sugar plus they often contain dangerous trans fats. So this year why not try and add some healthy options to your Christmas dessert menu by using the three suggestions I have provided below? 1) FRUIT SALAD:- Fruit salad is a simple, healthy dessert choice. All you need is a selection of your favourite fresh fruit and some fruit juice. Once you have your ingredients chop the fruit, put it in a large bowl and … [Read more...]
8 Healthy Christmas Dinner Ideas
Christmas dinner is normally filled with tasty treats. Roast potatoes, stuffing and thick gravy are all regular fixtures in this festive meal. Whilst these are delicious foods they are often rich in calories and low in nutrients. That is why today I am providing you with eight healthy Christmas dinner ideas. 1) BEEF:- When it comes to the Christmas roast, turkey is by far the most popular choice. However, if you fancy something a little different this year I highly recommend a nice succulent joint of beef. In recent years people have avoided red meats because of their relatively high … [Read more...]