A Kitchen Lab

The latest CDC statistics on Cardiovascular disease are rather grim; With an alarming number of approximately 659,000 people dying each year in the US alone, CVD is not to be taken lightly. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death not only in the US, but also worldwide. Previous studies have shown that eating more seafood was associated with a reduction in all causes and CVD-related mortality. Seafood is known to contain the following: heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fats Iron Iodine (during pregnancy) Choline Based on information published by the FDA, Choline, for example, supports the development of the baby’s spinal cord. The iron and zinc found in fish help to support children’s immune systems. Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium are also other sources of nutrients derived from fish. Nonetheless, many people choose to limit their seafood consumption because of fear of mercury exposure from seafood. Most Common Way People Are Exposed ...

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 ...