A Kitchen Lab

Growing up, I have always enjoyed fishing, and so do most people in Jamaica. I think it’s fair to say that most people who live in the tropics or close to the ocean or any body of water with fish enjoy fishing. Ironically, there are certain fish that are known to have caused poisoning. However, those are the fish that some people enjoy hunting. As you can see in this video, these spearfishers --- although they speared other fish --- were fishing mainly for barracudas. You can get ciguatera fish poisoning by eating fish contaminated with toxins produced by tiny algae found around coral reefs in tropical and subtropical climates. However, it’s believed that the poison does not affect all reef fish and deep-sea fish, such as tuna and wahoo. Nonetheless, it is not always easy to determine whether a fish is contaminated or not, as the toxins that cause ciguatera do not alter the appearance, taste, or odor of the fish. Also, cooking does not get rid of the toxins. Ciguatera can accumulate i...

No doubt, the beauty and cosmetics markets are booming globally. Many people in the US and abroad have been spending a large percentage of their earnings on skincare products when the simple solution to some skin issues they are trying to correct doesn’t really come in bottles, vials, or jars. In other words, sometimes, the solution to certain skin issues can only be fixed by a simple change in your diet, not with skincare or cosmetic products. For those of you who might have been using certain skincare products for a very long time to take care of skin issues, this is particularly for you. If you have been struggling with: Rough - dry skin Inflammation of the skin Frequent cracks occurring at the corner of the mouth Rough, scaly skin Slow healing of wounds, and other skin problems, but haven’t experienced any changes. Has it ever dawned on you that it could be a dietary-related issue, specifically, Vitamin or minerals deficiency related? Based on findings, here are some of the reasons...

Why Chili Is So Spicy Capsaicin is a hydrophobic compound produced by the plant genus Capsicum and gives chili peppers their spicy taste. This spicy compound acts as a deterrent against the consumption of the plant by mammals (including humans) and prevents fungal infections caused by insects. Capsaicin irritates the human oral cavity, producing thermal (hot) and nociceptive (burning or stinging) sensations. There has been increasing evidence to support the role of the TRPV1 receptors (also known as the capsaicin receptors) in the process by which symptoms of FGID(Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder) are developed, based on findings. What are Receptors Receptors are large protein molecules. Receptor sites can be found within the plasma membrane of a cell, which acts as a boundary between the cell’s internal and external environment. The term “receptors” implies that they “receive” chemical information from other molecules such as drugs, hormones, or neurotransmitters – outside the ce...

Firstly, I must extend a special thanks to everyone who has been hanging out with me on this blog. Secondly, I would like to know which of you likes fishing the way I do? I know some of you enjoy fishing a lot, but not all of us love to fish for the same type of fish. For example, I was up late last night fishing, but I was fishing for something somewhat different from the norm. I was fishing for information on FGIDs(Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders), and this is what I found. FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS Approximately 25 million Americans experience a functional GI disorder based on one source. FGIDs account for 40% of a gastroenterologist’s practice. Although 50-80% of these individuals may take over-the-counter remedies and report remarkably higher rates of job or school absenteeism and disability, they do not see the doctor. The writer went on to say that any section of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, can be affected ...

Though frequently used interchangeably, "salt" and "sodium" are not the same thing. Sodium, a mineral, is one of the elements found in salt. In fact, most of our sodium comes from salt. 70% of the sodium we eat comes from processed (packaged) foods and restaurant foods. The recommended limit for sodium is 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day for people 14 years and older. However, people in the U.S. consume 3,400 mg per day on average! Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Ninety percent of American adults are consuming more sodium than is recommended. While more than 4 in 10 Americans have high blood pressure, in non-Hispanic Black adults, that number increases to almost 6 in 10. Not only adolescents but also children are eating too much sodium. Evidence shows that children who eat foods higher in sodium can carry those eating habits into adulthood. Steps You Can Take to Cut Back on Sodium Try to eat less of the foo...

Self-Care doesn’t mean taking care of the outside while neglecting the inside; It is an inside-out approach. For example, It’s not prudent to spend all your saving on skincare while ignoring your diet. As it pertains to our diet, sometimes what we observe on the outer body, such as skin conditions, hair, and nail problems, are simply signs of protein deficiency, a manifestation of what is missing from the body. Proteins are the main substances the body uses to build and repair tissues, such as: muscles  blood internal organs skin hair nails bones FYI:   They are also part of hormones, antibodies, and enzymes + perform other functions. They also help maintain the normal balance of body fluids and can be used as a source of energy if enough carbs are not available. Each gram of protein yields four calories of energy. Main Sources of Protein meats and alternatives milk and other dairy products Amino Acids Amino acids are considered the building blocks of proteins. The human body ...