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World of chemistry Food
Lecture 1
Comments on the radio: way back where there weren’t that many problems with health (march 12 th
1989). Not really, there were rats in the hospitals back then, and the life expectancies were much lower.
You are what you eat, you are what you don’t eat, you are what you mother ate.
Food: perspectives and food facts
What is plumpy nut: a high protein peanut based paste. Very popular
RBGH free: recombinant bovine growth hormone free. A lot of people are worried that they are injected
with that hormone. They can produce 15% more milk. Milk has a lot of fat associated with it. Ron
Howard milk moustache.
Popcorn in the movies: cooked with coconut oil: saturated fat. A big bucket is equivalent to 2-3 big macs
Salt: iodized salt is very important, too much salt in the diet is an issue
Olestra and the FDA fake fat: product not available in Canada that tastes like fat, but not digested.
Super size me: in is no longer part of Mc Donald’s meal. He gained 25 pounds from 11% body fat to 18%.
There is another dude who ate his 19 000th Big Mac and has eaten at least on Big Mac per day since
1972 and has maintained his weight to 170 pounds. Don Gorske.
The green kitchen: everything from vegetables.
Functional foods: added amount of something that is supposed to be good for you, They have grown in
popularity. – 60G
95% are meat eaten in our class. 40-50% can be vegetarian.
Freeganism: anti-consumerism (NY): people go the restaurants and eat the food that would be thrown
out.
Historically
Lavoisier (late 1700s): chemist, one of the 1st to examine what people were doing with their food. CO2
produced by eating. Conservation of mass demonstrated.
Plaster of Paris added to flour CaSO4.
Would get the fat from a dead body around 104 years ago.
1906: secured the Federal Food act.
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Food crisis: there is enough food for everyone, the problem is with the distribution.
California has the population of Canada.
Cabbage Looper: insect that eats the cabbage leaves. 40% of all crops worldwide are destroyed by
insects. When the population will eat 8G, there won’t be enough food.
It is plentiful for us right now, but is it nutritious?
The molecules of food are being well understood today.
Water content: Watermelon 96%, radishes 98%, apple 85%
Apple: flavours, sugars, water. 6 cubes of sugar, and 120 ml of water. Over 200 chemicals
Basic food facts: Proteins and carbohydrates: 4 cal/g
Fats: 9 cal/g. It gets stored easier by the body.
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are macronutrients we need respectively: 240+50, 65, 60g. Vitamins
and minerals are micronutrients.
If the population of the world was 100: 51 females, 49 males, 50 malnutrition, 70 illiterate, 1 college
education
Cooking is the major factor in the evolutionary success of the human kind. The mandible evolved.
Molecular croposcopy: study of desiccated feces that allows the knowledge of what people ate over the
centuries. Water is applied and the DNA is studied. 1200 A”D” coprolites (dried feces). Burnt corn and
locorice
Orthorexia nervosa: just eating the right foods
Carbohydrates
Cane in Caribbean is about 1/6th to 1/7th of sugar (15% sucrose). Started with Christopher Colombus.
Rilleux: lowered the heat that was needed to extract the water. Cousin of Degas, he had U.S.patent of 4
879 in 1846. Before high temperature deficators were needed. Deaths could occur.
Centrifugal sugar: 97% pure made up of beet sugar (Russia-colder) cane (higher temperature 21 degrees
to grow). Its production is in constant increase.
1000 years ago, people had good quality teeth. 1800s started the slave trade, which is responsible for
the huge raise in the amount of consumption of sugar, and tooth decay started
Now: 120G grams of sugar are consumed: 22kg/person/year. 50 tsp/day
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Brazil is the leading producer with 25% of world exports. Cuba has the highest consumption of sugar: 80
kg/person/year, and china has the lowest with 7kg/person/year
Disaccharides: sucrose, maltose, lactose (in milk)
Invertase breaks the sugars into monosaccharides. It breaks sucrose in inverts sugars: glucose and
fructose, the latter is much sweeter
HFCS: high fructose corn syrup. It is an important product. Much sweeter, related to obesity, can be up
to 90% fructose
Corn starch is made of a polymer of glucose which can be broken down in its individual components by
an enzyme. To convert it to fructose, we need glucose isomerase which can alter the chemical structure
of glucose, converting it to fructose.
Honey: glucose and a high concentration of fructose. It has a fair amount of potassium.
Brown sugar: sucrose and added impure molasses. High sugar substances almost need no preservatives
to be added. Bacteria doesn’t grow in high sugar medium.
The real molasses flood of 1919 jan 25th. A huge container full of molasses burst; killing and destroying.
Maltose: disaccharide, a sweetening agent derived from the partial hydrolysis of starch. 2 glucoses tied
together.
Light brown sugar: non centrifugal
Lactose: one glucose, and one galactose.
Lactose intolerants lack the enzyme to break it down. 70% are lactase deficient (lactase is the enzyme
that breaks lactose in its proper components). NA Blacks: 75%, NA Whites: 25%. Lactaid contains lactase
and can be used to compensate. Wasn’t published 30 years ago.
Take a glass of milk, wait, breathe in a tube, measure how much hydrogen is produced. If intolerant,
more hydrogen will be produced in the stomach fallowing the consumption of milk. For people to
consume it, they need to take lactaid, an increased amount of lactase.
Beano: prevents gas from beans. There is an enzyme that will break down the carbohydrates that cause
gases. It is from bacterium
Amylose: (starch) in can be broken down. Amylopectine is a variation of it. It is a polymer of glucose in
all kinds of direction; its fibers break down easier. Amylase is produced in the pancreas and is present in
the salivary glands. If chew bread for a long time, will start to taste that sweetness. It will break down all
the starch like materials.
Cellulose has a different bonding then starch. More horizontal
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Fibre: some of it doesn’t get digested.
Metamucil: fibre supplement, it is a laxative, and comes from silium. It is natural fibre, but an unnatural
way of taking it.
Sugar content: powdered Jello wins
Coke with vitamin, a new way to increase their sales.
Had to change the seats in the yankee stadium because the people were to fat and couldn’t fit in them.
Teeth and sugar: s.mutans converts sugar in lactic acid, which corrodes teeth. Some genetic
modification could modify the bacteria so that it won’t produce the lactic acid. The gene responsible has
been removed in the modified S.mutans
Lecture 2
The object is a IFO. It looks like the Canadian flag. It’s the international space station
Fructose issues: not an issue for that contained in fruits, but watch the cola.
Good news: low glycemic index, doesn’t get the blood sugar to rise as much as sucrose, and was thought
to be a good replacement to sucrose. Small amounts in food is OK
Bad news: too much food at once is not good, and the modern diet can have 10% fructose. When
glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin regulates it but fructose is processed in the liver, and if there is
too much, it gets transformed in fats. Too much fat in the blood is a risk factor for heart disease. It
circumvents the appetite signalling system so being filled up is not triggered as well. Some evidence is
accumulating that excess fructose causes insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes. It promotes AGEs
more than glucose.
High fructose drinks linked in gout risk in women. A 74% enhancement in the consumption of one drink
a day. There will be 1-2 added cases of gout per 100 persons because of drinking sugar sodas. Need a lot
of people to see a drift in the outcome of taking a certain food. The risk of gout is moderate. Gout: body
produces too much uric acid, crystallizes in areas of the joints, which swell.
Glycation: changes that take place in the tissues; associated in the long term consumption of sucrose. It
will connect with the NH2 end of the amino acid. They interact; water is split out and the 2 units are
joint. The molecule was discovered by Louis Maillard.
The yellow stuff on the toast is the sugar end and the protein end combining. It is quite common, and
not dramatic.
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Overtime has consequences; molecules form an amadori product. It can react with the O and another
amino acid. It forms an advanced glycation end product. AGEs. They play a role on cataracts. About 40%
of persons between the age of 55 and 64 have some opaque areas. Cataracts are made of AGEs. About
90% of persons ages 75 to 84 have them. The older people burn their sugar slower, thus more sugar is
present to form AGEs.
Not all cataracts are associated with sugar. They are just deposits that opaque the eye and are easily
removable. It can’t be corrected by glasses. The clouded lens delivers the light in broken form, it is
diffused by the particles that are in the lens. Lens can be replaced, now in 20 mins.
Protein folded: the human eye lens consists of a mix of several proteins. Protective proteins prevent
these proteins from aggregating. If this protective function fails, the lens blurs and the patient develops
cataracts. Monet developed cataracts.
AGEs also have a role in arteriosclerosis and sagging skin.
lipids
Fats: stored energy, insulation, padding.
Saturated fats can be solid, because they can organize themselves in a coherent fashion. Not all chains
are equal in lengths and structure. (12-20)
Monounsaturated fats are supposed to have good properties.
Naturally occurring trans fats are rare.
Inmongolia all fat; butter is made with the yak
Butter is 20% water, mostly saturated fat
Margarine making: hydrogen is added back to some of the double bonds of the liquid unsaturated soya
oil, to get it to the stage where it starts to be solid again. We get a partially unsaturated fat. More water.
CIS: most double bonds in fats that we consume, processed by the body effectively
TRANS: a few bonds are in this form, they contribute to heart disease because they more resemble the
shape of a saturated fat.
In the process of hydrogenating, a fair amount a trans fat is produced, it is not a good situation. The
double bond will unfreeze from its conformation, becoming a single bond, which can rotate before
reforming another double in trans conformation. The trans fats build up, 5-10%, that percentage
concerned medical researchers. Now banned in NY. The trans double bond appear to increase
cholesterol levels.
Lower fat, no trans fat margarine were made, but they consist of up to 60% water, can’t cook with them.
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Bob Harris founded that company: smart beat.
Becel: they don’t hydrogenate, they blend it secretly. Not more than 16% water.
Saturated fat in food:
What is the weight percent fat in the steak: 20g. The percent calories by fat is 60%
The body make 80% of its cholesterol. Cholesterol in the food will contribute to the cholesterol in the
body. If we are eating too much bad fats, cholesterol levels will rise.
The issue over fat isn’t always clear. Once it is down to 30%, it’s alright
Because of the saturated fat issue, more poultry is consumed. In order to raise good poultry food
supplements are needed. They add an amino acid, methionine. Its precursor is methyl mercaptan
combined to H-CN. Philip 66 makes ultra-stinky methyl mercaptan over raillines in liquid form. Tiny
amounts of it is added to gas to remind us that the gas is opened. There has never been an accident, but
is there is OMG BBQ. The processing of a chicken is trying to be optimized; their feathers are used, and
roofing plates are made.
Fish: a lot of fish are used for a variety of purposes. The position of the double bond from the end of the
chain. Menhaden: sold for oil and protein. It doesn’t taste good enough. It is in the east south of the US.
Striped bass feed on menhaden.
Fat substitutes: follow the mouth-feel: if it tastes good, it will sell. Carbohydrate based: gums, seaweed,
cellulose derivatives, modified starch. Microcrystalline cellulose will help the mouth feel. Protein based:
microparticulates (egg, milk). Fat-based fat substitutes: blending of the fats using less fats. Soy bean in
fat products.
Synthetic: Olestra (olean) sucrose polyester, can’t be digested. Short chains made on all the units of the
sucrose molecule. It has a good mouth feel and a taste like fat; can’t taste the difference. It is non-caloric
and suitable for frying, but it may cause loose stool, anal leakage, and absorption of A,D,E,K.
After 40mins fats will start to be burned.
Proteins
Growth, tissue maintenance, enzymatic activity
Kwashiorkor protein deficiency: reversible; causes bloating of the stomach
Chains of amino-acids broken down and redistributed by the body. We need a certain % of the kinds of
aa.
White of egg: proteins that were translucent, are denatured, water is driven off. Irreversible process
when cook. The white cooks more quickly. The white has no fat and the yolk has all the fat.
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Protein structure: peptide bonds are formed by water hydrolysis between the C-term end and the Nterm end of the next aa. (water is needed to break the bonds)
Tryptophan: raised serotonin levels, thought that it was good for the sex-drive. No longer available; it
was banned in 1990 because it had a contamination that cause a serious disorder, people would die.
Essential amino acids: they aren’t made in sufficient amount in the body. We must have them in the
diet. They must be in the right proportion. Don’t over consume proteins.
Complete proteins: meat, fish, eggs, milk, soy; the aa that form them are in the appropriate
concentration to give us what we require to put our body back together.
Incomplete proteins: corn, wheat, rice; don’t have the right amounts of some the amino acids. Corn is
missing 2 aa, can make the proteins that we need. Focus on lysine
Jury convicts vegan parents: the child was too weak.
Enrich flower: the amino acids have been added back.
Fast foods are good for proteins, but lots of fats and salt.
China now: diets can be very different. People don’t have enough variety to lie about their reporting.
Those who eat lots of fat and meat, have bad health
Common virus seen as having early role in arteries clogging.
It take a lot of grain for a beef; it has only a 4.7% efficiency of production
Portion size 3ounces, 8ounces burger.
We feed so much soy to the beef: 54kg soy for 3 kg beef.
Out of the 220M tonnes of soy produced, only 15M tons are eaten, and 144m tons are given to animals.
Lecture 3
Food crisis
Tunisia: food crisis: increase in the price of the food. The president was overthrown. 2010
There is enough food, it is that the price of food is such that people can’t afford it. Same as in Haiti
In 2010, there was a drastic increase of the food prices. In 2008 at the peak it was less expensive. It
affects mainly the poor countries. The % of our revenue that goes on food is relatively small (10%) in
India (50% of their income) in 2008, the price of cereal went up the most. In 2010, it is still going up.
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Sugar has gone up a lot (the price index has doubled) dairy and cereal isn’t a major problem. Oil and
sugar are going up. In fact, it isn’t one food crisis: it is 2 food crises.
Food crisis 1: (2008) the diversion of cereal from food in the production of biofuels
Food crisis 2: associated with hunger; environmental causes (Asia and Africa)
Food crisis 1: concept of global warming (production of C02) people are going to renewable energies.
Biofuels: material from recently living organisms or their by-products. The idea is that if you use a
biofuel, use something that has grown. We will burn gas and it will produce C02, if this C02 is absorbed
by plant, this plant will be used as biofuel. The C02 that will be given up will be used up as well.
Ethanol: sugarcane, corn
Biodiesel: vegetable oils, animal fats.
Sugarcane ethanol Brazil (50%) of their fuel consumption comes from sugar cane. 42% wolrd ethanol
producer. Inventor of Flex Cars which will run on pure ethanol, and other gases.
Less pollutant, gives less mileage (80%). Sugar cane, extract sugar, ferment it.
Output/input is of 8 in terms of energy balance and of 0.44 in terms of greenhouse gases emissions
This is why brazil is at the (BRIC countries; Brazil, Russia, India, Chinal: the underdeveloped countries
that are highly achiving)
Ehtanol from corn: (NA) corn, malting- matl, fermentation – ethanol. There is an extra step, need more
energy, and will produce more C02. It is less pollutant, lower mileage, no energy saving, no reduction of
C02 emission, not better for the environment
Output/input is of less than 1 in terms of energy balance, and of more than 1 for GGE
If corn was to be used it would replace 12% of the gasoline used each year (500G litres of gas)
The food crisis of 2008 was due to the conversion of corn, its price increase a lot.
The grain require to fill the tank of an SUV with ethanol is sufficient to feed one person for a whole year.
It takes 7kg of wheat to produce 1kg of ethanol, and it takes 900L of water to grow 1kg of wheat. It
takes 16 000L water for /kg of beef. Most people eat meat twice or once a day.
Alternative to the use of corn:
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cellulosic ethanol switchgrass. The cellulose is a by product of the wheat, grass is cellulose If we could
break this polymer to convert it to ethanol it would be great. It has output/input of 2-36 in terms of
energy, and a output/input of 0.09 in terms of GGE. Cows have the enzyme to convert cellulose in
ethanol.
Biodiesel: soya and canola: beneficial in energy balance output/input: 2.5, and GGE output/input: 0.32.
50% of the land in brazil is used to produce soya. At affects the biodiversity. 90% of the soya is GMO. It’s
produced on a large scale, and no diversity, if there is a pest, fuck
Biodiesel yields: corn 200l/he, algae 50 000L/he
The main incentive for the governments to develop biofuels is not to fight global warming, but to lessen
their dependence on foreign sources of energy.
The best way to reduce the production of C02, it to consume less. A jeep will consume 6km/L, and a
Prius 30km/L. In the US, the average gas consumption per capita is 1600L, in Europe it is 300L. less
distance, more tax, more public transport.
Food crisis type 2
Africa and Asia: hunger affect 1G people worldwide, and food aid is not a long term solution. Increasing
local food production most be done.
In US much more fertilizer is used, and there are much more crops growing. Water is much less
prevalent. They can get water but no irrigation. Less than 5% of crops are irrigated
Drought-resistant crops must be developed through biotechnology, it is used on the wrong crop (corn,
soya that are produced in already developed countries)
The biggest problem with GM is its relative unavailability to small farmers and its focus on crops that
benefit big commercial interests. (brazil 50% soya, 90% GMO)
It is cheaper to import (US) than having it produced there. (20% cheaper for corn and 46% for wheat)
Since 1980 aid toward food production has dropped from 17% to 3%.
Solution: eliminate export subsidies paid by the rich countries to their agricultural producers. Most
developing countries if given the means, can become self-sufficient in food production.
Vitamins : vital amines (kazimir Funk)
They are nutrients needed in small amounts to prevent deficiency diseases. A balanced diet contains all
the vitamins in the required amounts.
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30G dollars on supplement, a third of that is form vitamins. Vitamins are used as marketing tools.
Scientific living: put off death to the very last minute
Breatharian society by Jeffrey Brooks: had lived on air alone. All the nutrients can be taken from air
A great deal of money can be made in vitamin. Over 1.5G dollars are involved.
Vitamin C: ascorbic acid
Anecdote: I’d like to buy some ascorbic acid: hear we don’t sell chemicals we sell only natural products
Discovery voyages (15-17th century) they developed scurvy. One of the 1st symptoms is bleeding gums.
Vit C is essential for the production of collagen.
Jaques Cartier: thought that it originated from a vitamin deficiency, the native told them to chew pine
needle.
Cabbage is a good source. The best source is green or red pepper. Potato as well
James Lind 1753, linked citrus to vit C, he noticed that giving citrus helped. He thought it was the acid
that worked. Vit C oxidized readily. To protect juice: put oil at the surface, add it to rum. British sailors
had to drink one once of citrus. Limey comes from that.
Active ingredient was discovered in 1927 Szent-Gyorgi: ascorbic acid
Vitamin B1: thiamine.
Beri-Beri disease: the name comes from the Chinese: I can’t I can’t: people couldn’t move their limbs
Eijkman 1880: Indonesia belonged to the Dutch: he noticed that chickens seemed to have the same
symptoms as humans: diet was common. People were fed rice people also ate a lot of rice. Before
brown rice was eaten, but now white rice was eaten. The essential nutrient is vitamin B1 or thiamine.
Nobel Prize in 1929. Isolated in 1940s
Vitamin D
Industrial revolution: 1850, much of the disease came. When people started moving from the country
sides to the city, they started having soft bones. Ricketts: the disease. Vit D is produced by the sun at
the surface of the skin, and can also be obtain by the diet in fish oil (liver oil).
Vitamin B3: niacin
Pellagra: lack of niacin (rough skin) dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death 4D disease. The discovery that
led to niacin was initiated by Joseph Goldberger 1920. Patient in mental institutions people were more
prone, the inmate would develop it, but not the staff. He looked at the nutritional aspect, the inmates
were fed low quality food, the staff would be well fed. There must be something in the food that
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prevents the disease. Mississippi state penitentiary: he put some on his skin. P-P factor: the pellagra
prevention factor. Vitamin B3 was the active ingredients
In 1930
R: required D: daily A: allowance, the amounts of different nutrients that have to be taken in order to
prevent the onset of deficiency diseases. They are required in very small amounts
Smoking decreases Vit C, stress vit B, contraceptive pills vit Bs, and laxatives vit A-D
Niacin: 20mg to prevent pellagra, and 2000mg to lower cholesterol
Folic acid: 200ug to prevent anemia, and 800ug to prevent neural tube defect. This is why flour is
fortified with folic acid (in pregnant women, prevent neural tube defect). It may prevent Alzheimer’s.
Can only truly diagnose Alzheimer’s after death. Homocysteine requires folic acid, B6 and B12 vitamins
to convert it into glutathione.
B vitamins don’t help in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Green orange yellow- yeah
Vitamin D-bones (rickets in children) the recommended amount increases with ages (bones) From 200iu
before 50, and up to 800iu after 70.
2006: intake of vitamin D may prevent cancer. Meta-analysis: assemble a set of studies to obtain a
higher conclusion. Is observational: on past history, where the assignment of the study isn’t controlled
by the experimenter.
Interventional controlled study: double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study
Interventional controlled studies: the material tested and the assignments of subjects are controlled by
the investigator.
Placebo: to please, very real. The experimenter that is giving the substance doesn’t know what he is
giving in double blind studies.
Cross over: the groups exchange
Study: calcium: 17% reduction, vit D + calcium: 44% reduction in terms of cancer incidents. Overall 7%
reduction in total mortality.
1000iucontroversial, but this amount isn’t dangerous (4000iu is) may reduce MS (sun)
Vitamin D low 62% increased risk. Observational
Anti-oxidants
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Free radical: created as part of the normal metabolic process, product of the environment. The free
radicals want to pair up. Antioxidants prevent radicals from doing damage; they convert it into more
stable species. Causes a damaging chain reaction, damage to DNA. Cancer can be caused by that. An
antioxidant has the ability to lose electrons without initiating chain reaction. Can get them from vitamins
Orthomolecular medicine (straight): large amounts of the right molecule to prevent. They don’t believe
in the daily amounts. Recommended vit C 90 mg, optimum; 10 000mg (Pauling advocate)
The largest sneeze: 4m and 160km/h
A cold has nothing to do with the weather, 4G spent on cold drugs.
Vit C and colds: useless for colds: more people used in the study.
Dr Anderson: no benefit, it reduces the severity, same as cold remedies.
Most species make their own vit C, only a few need to have it as part of diet: monkeys, hamsters, fruit
eating bat, red-vented bulbul
A 70kg housefly would make 10 000 mg of vit C. Pauling took his principle from there.
Vitamin C and heart disease
There is a direct incidents with the number of heart disease and the increase of telephones in Canada
HDL cholesterol: good, removes cholesterol from plaque
LDL cholesterol: bad, brings cholesterol from plaque.
Oxidized cholesterol: forms plaque
A diet that is high in vit C seems to lower the incidence of heart disease.
Vit C prevents the transformation of nitrites to nitrosamines
Sodium ascorbate: vit C in hotdogs, sodium nitrite
Vit C: was also associated to heart disease, cancer, cataracts, aging in terms of possible good effects.
Good for bed sores, prevents the breakdown of collagen
Side effects: diarrhea, increases the absorption of iron: bronze disease (hemachromatosis), and lower
that of Cu2+. Gives false negatives for occult blood in stool.
Vit C is a preservative.
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Vitamin A
Vision, growth, reproduction, immune system
Retinoids (retina); makes chemicals in the retina that is important for vision (poor night vision indicates
a deficiency)
Fat soluble vitamin, accumulates in the body (B,D) . Too much can be a problem
Precursor: beta-caroten
18K subjects at risk for lung cancers (smokers): 18% increase in cancer and 17% death increase when
they took beta carotene.
Explanation: while it was thought to prevent the oxidation of chemicals in cigarette smoke, the results
seem to indicate that the beneficial effects may only occur when other phytochemicals are present in
the diet.
Vitamins are good: skin aging, chronological, environmental (sun breaks down the collagen in the
dermis)
High energy UV-B burn, low-energy UV-A associated with breakage of collagen
Acne drugs reverse skin aging, derivative of vit-A, retin-A, used for the treatment of acne, it works by
exfoliating the dead layer of the skin, the skin will produce more skin cell. Fewer fine wrinkles, when
looked at the surface of the skin, less dead cells. Works the best for people with light skin, more
sensitive. Second 16 months ONG benefits for deep wrinkles apply for 2 years. Sold as Renova in US
Accutane: taken orally, cause birth defects
Tegison: effective for pseuriasis. Can cause birth defects
Concerns: excess vit A can cause birth defects. Prenatal vitamins contain more folic acid, more iron, less
vitamin A. People with higher vit A in the blood may have more fracture risk
Love vitamin: vitamin E tocopherol, oil of fertility
Longevity, allergies, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, frigidity, infertility, acne,
muscular dystrophy, peptic ulcers, haemolytic anemia. Potentially Alzheimer?
Study with rats with little vit E in their diet: the female rats started aborting and the males became
impotent, if vit E got restored, the symptoms got away. Doesn’t work for humans
Used for treatment of hemolytic anemia for antioxidizing effect. Can also be sold as skin product.
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Vit E can exist in many forms: in the body we have both. In the past vit E supplements was only the
alpha, the level of gamma went down. Taking vit E supplement that consisted of one form affected the
balance. Body: alpha: 80% and gamma 20%
Studies have shown that treatment with vit E on patient with high risk of cardiovascular events has no
apparent effect.
Biotin to prevent hair loss: rub in the scalp (one of the B vitamin) 2000$ to rub a vitamin. Totally useless
Vit B17: soled as a treatment for cancer. Laeterile; amin pits. Used by steve McQueen, he died of lung
cancer
Hair analysis isn’t proportional to what we eat.
Lecture 4: diet and heart disease
We must start now, the diseases are building up at our age.
Exercise is the 3rd most important thing. Eat less, mostly plant food
Moderation is the answer
We are constructed by what we eat, every single molecules of which we are composed comes from diet
Catechins improve the ability of arteries to relax and expand
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in NA
Heart and stoke foundation 2010: rate of high blood pressure, 77%, diabetes 48% obesity 15%
Increase consumption of vegetables. Recommended 5-10 portions of fruit and veggies, in the US most
people eat less than 2.
Risk factors
Low birth weight: the smaller the baby, the higher the risk of heart disease.
Hypertension: silent killer. It is possible to have it at our age, the only way to know is to have it tested
Obesity: people are getting fat
Smoking: bigger risk factor for heart disease than lung cancer. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen, the
cells are starving
Diabetes: lower life expectancy, unless very controlled
Stress: not everyone perceives the same kinds of factors to be stressful
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Microbes in the mouth can migrate in the bloodstream if we have an opening in the mouth (bleeding
gums). Floss or die. People with gingivitis have higher risk, an inflammatory reaction is triggered.
Homocysteine: aa, produced in the body from methionine (common aa) homocysteine is further
metabolised, we need B-vitamins, they are important cofactors. Increased levels of homocysteine, may
cause higher risks. McCully: heart disease and higher levels. By injecting it in rabbit, it caused heart
disease. It doesn’t mean that the same thing is done in humans. In 1992, people were monitored for
their homocysteine blood level, in the top 5%, their risk of having heart attack was 3 times greater than
in subjects with lowest levels. Some third factor may be present.
Just because 2 factors run together, it doesn’t mean that one causes the other. For causation to be
studied, we need an intervention study.
Typical range: men 8-12 Micromol/L; women 6-10 Micromol/L; risk 11 micromol/L.
How do we reduce it? Increase the B-vit in the diet, Spinnach.
The intervention studies show no reduction of heart disease. HOPE study, after 5 years by reducing the
levels of homocysteine by 25%, it turn out that there was no benefit in terms of heart attack.
High triglycerides: high levels of fats in the blood. Glycerol and fatty acid, the body reconstructs the fats
that it need.
Cholesterol:
It is an essential biochemical found only in animal products. White powered material, it is a steroid
(4ring structure). It is found in every cell membrane, substances can’t pass without it. Precursor for a
number of hormones. It is a lipid, not a fat
We can make it, made mostly in the liver, and it generated in the liver from materials. Those that
generate it is the saturated fat. We don’t need to consume any, animal products will always contain it.
Why are we concerned about it: high levels in the blood are high factor for heart disease.
Epidemiological studies: carried out by looking at population, disease patterns, and try to link those with
lifestyle.
Massachusetts (1948): inhabitants were offered medical care, in return, they would have to fill out
medical questionnaires. From it, we learned that high cholesterol was associated. Other places in the
world were studied. Finland has the highest risk of heart disease and Japan with the lower risk.
Familial hypercholesterolemia, in which the body produces too much cholesterol. They die young.
Half of all the people who have heart attacks have normal levels of cholesterol.
Blockage
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The arteries harden because of the deposits form. Those deposits are inside the wall of the artery, can’t
clean them out. The deposits are termed plaque, can find a lot of things in them such are cholesterol.
When the cholesterol reacts with oxygen, it can cause the wall to burst open. Macrophages go there to
try to mop the debris , which triggers the formation of a blood clot. The higher the clot, the worst.
Vit C and vit E can reduce the risk of formation of oxidized cholesterol; over the last decade, studies
were done, and no benefits were shown. There are no advantage for antioxidants as well.
Look at the cross section to see what the percentage of cholesterol.
The chance that it will burst depend on inflammation. The body tries to fight out an invader.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein, higher levels of it, mean greater risk of inflammation. It can be
measured, when less than 2mg per L, that is a very low degree of inflammation, which is linked with
lower risks. The greater the inflammation, the greater the chance that the artery will burst open.
Without the plaque, inflammation is not so much a factor.
Reducing C-reactive protein reduces the risk of heart disease as shown 2 years ago. They took a number
of men and women with higher levels of C-reactive proteins, and it showed a 100% reduction in
cardiovascular events with the use of cholesterol lowering drugs (statin, Crestor). Justification for the
use of statins in prevention; an intervention trial evaluating rosuvastatin (JUPITER). 83 out of the 8901 in
the stating group had a major heart event, while in the placebo group, 157 had a major event. Have to
treat 120 people to prevent one event. That doesn’t tell much, a decrease out of how many. Will put to
many people at risk for the statin drug to save one person. The cost to treat 120 people is 290K.
Negative studies don’t get published when the pharmaceutical companies found them.
More Nobel prizes have been awarded for studies on the cholesterol than for any single topic. Goldstain
and Brown are the ones that gave rise to the expression of good and bad cholesterol
Types of cholesterol
Bad: LDL: low density lipoprotein
Good: HDL: high density lipoprotein
Cholesterol is a lipid, it is insoluble in water, but it is made in the liver and must be delivered to the cells
in the body. Somewhat it has to be solubilised, attach to lipoprotein, a protein that reacts with a lipid to
make it soluble. The complex of cholesterol and lipoprotein (apolipoprotein) can be transported in the
body.
LDL receptors: molecules on the surfaces of cells which can remove cholesterol from the molecules that
transport them. They are ready to take in the receptors and take on the cholesterol. It takes the
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cholesterol from the liver and delivers it. If they is too many LDL and to less receptors, the content will
be released into the blood. The HDL will salvage the cholesterol and take it back to the liver.
Does high blood cholesterol cause coronary disease? Will reducing the blood cholesterol reduce the
risk? At what levels? Does someone with normal cholesterol have to worry about diet? It is worth
lowering it, keeping in mind that is it only one factor.
There are 2 system used to measure cholesterol: mmol/L = mg/dl x 0.026 ; triclycerides , the conversion
factor is 0.0113
Total cholesterol: sum of HDL and LDL. If the total is high, take to 2 measurements separately.
Total cholesterol: lower than 5.2 is desirable, between 5.2 and 6.2 is borderline, and above 6.2 it is high.
LDL = total cholesterol – HDL – triglycerides/5 : lower than 3.4 is good, between 3.4-4.1 is borderline and
higher is high.
It is rare to have too much HDL and too few LDL
The best way to see the risk is to look at the ratio of LDL/HDL
Limone sul garda: very low risk, they have a genetic predisposition, a special type of apolipoprotein: A-1
milano. When isolated and injected in rabbit arteries, can reduce the risk of clogging.
In arteriosclerosis, free radicals grab electrons from lipids that line artery walls, sparking an
inflammatory response that paves the way for cholesterol deposition. The mutated apolipoprotein
features an antioxidant in the form of sulphur-based residue that mops up unpaired electrons and
prevents them from triggering arterial inflammation.
JAMA : by injecting it in human lowers the risks.
High blood cholesterol: dietary cholesterol (too much from foods). Too many saturated or trans fat
(cutting down on those is a lot more effective than cutting down on products that contain cholesterol).
The blood cholesterol is barely reflective of the cholesterol consumed in foods that contain it. 200-350
mg per day should be consumed. Even if we eat one egg a day, is not a problem. An 88 yrs old man eats
25 eggs a day, and had normal blood cholesterol.
Omega-3 egg; contains cholesterol and omega-3 fats. Sales are going down. Omega-3 fats can reduce
cholesterol. Flax seed contains alpha-linolenic acid, not the same type as that in fish, not as good even
though it gets converted in the body very slowly. The omega-3 fats in eggs don’t do anything. In fish: 5
double bonds, in flax: 3 double bonds. If don’t eat fish at all, don’t eat flax seed, it is 1000mg of omega-3
fats a day. A third of the products had from 18-67% less omega-3 fats than prescribed on the label.
Olive oil: mono-unsaturated, doesn’t increase cholesterol
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The polyunsaturated in corn oil linoleic acid stimulates the inflammation, especially if there is not
enough antioxidants in the diet.
Walnut oil: good
Nurses health study: data collected from 86k nurses since 1976. Women who ate 5 ounces of nuts of all
kinds per week had a 35% lower risk of CHD than women who ate nuts less than once a month. When
the nuts were used as a substitute of other components
Crete: perslin (veggie)
Heavy meat diet, heavy fat diet
Not every studies show that lowering saturated fat show lower risks of heart disease
Breast cancer is linked to high fat. They were put on a very low fat disease: their risks weren’t
reduced??They had such a dramatic reduction in fat, the overall effects are bad (reduction of both
saturated and unsaturated fats).
Special foods to lower cholesterol:
Phil Sokoloff; heart attack, very rich. He ate all kinds of bad foods, took publicity add campaign, which
had an effect.
If we eat a moderate amount, of both butter or margarine, it doesn’t matter which one we eat. There is
a problem with margarine as well. They came up with methods that don’t rely on hydrogenation.
Interesterification: take some highly saturated fats, break them apart, take other highly other
unsaturated fats, recombine it all, some that to the same backbone, there will be both kinds of fats. It
can lower HDL.
Genetically modifying are crops: our biggest exposure to trans fat is in the oil used to fry food. Saturated
fats are more resistant to heat, so that it can be used again. It is possible to genetically engineer omega3 fats, in such a way that they are usable for frying. High omega-9 low omega-3 fats are now being
advertised.
Margerines incorporate sitostenol (pine trees) which lower cholesterol (eat 2 table spoons every day to
lower by 10-15%).
Increasing vegetable intake, soy beans, to the extent of 25g of soy proteins a day (serving of tofu) can
lower cholesterol. Consuming soy at our age lowers risk of breast and prostate cancer. Commercial tofu
products have a lot of salt.
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Flax: soluble fibres which also lowers cholesterol, which contains the alpha-linolenic acid. Ground flax
seed. Samuel Johnson, in Scottland he was served food that in England are served to horses (oats)
haggis, porridge, athole brose (beverage)) the outer oat should be consumed. 10 yrs ago, eating oatbran
became popular; b-glucan can lower cholesterol. How much: 3 grams of beta glucan, a cup of oat bran
hot cereal, an effect similar to cholesterol lowering drugs.
Metamucil: similar insoluble fibre. Widely used laxative, and cholesterol lowering.
Beans and lentils will lower your cholesterol. Dr. Dean Ornish, leader of the low fat movement. Their
cholesterol measures are lower and there is a regression in their cholesterol levels. They also come to
meetings and exercise.
Low fat diets are high in carbohydrates: they can reduce HDL if there are too many foods that are high in
sugar.
Wine: the French paradox: it has to do with the red wine that the French have good hearts. Must be
verified. It contains resveratrol, will prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Ethanol is a known carcinogen.
The French drink more juices as well, thus no red wine pills! They also eat more fruits and vegetables
than us. There is a problem with statistics; there are many sudden deaths that aren’t counted as heart
disease.
Masai, Kenya in Africa, a lot of dairies, high in fat, eat a lot of meat. Mix dairies with blood. They
exercised also. Have almost no heart disease. Soups with treebarks.
Drug treatment: not a 1st resort, exercise, low saturated, high fibre...
Minor evidence for garlic Kyolic, that may show effects, they are minimal
Extract of resin from a India: guggulipid, with unknown effectiveness
Niacin: in high doses 100mg a day can lower cholesterol, special flushing
Questran: like soluble fibre, mix in beverage and drink it, works the same way is
Bile acids are manufactured in the liver form cholesterol; cholestyramine (questran) binds to bile acids
and removes them from the body. Instead of being reabsorbed, they are extracted, the liver has to use
up more cholesterol to make more acid, lowering the blood cholesterol. It is guppy.
Statin drugs
Mevacor: lovastine- statin drugs- isolated from a fungus, prevents liver from making cholesterol, by
interfering with the enzyme.
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Because it was isolated from a fungus, could the fungus be used? Natural health stores sold cholestin
red yeast extract, had to be taken of the market, but the name stayed. Now cholestin contains
policosanol derived from sugar cane, which has an insignificant effect on cholesterol.
Zocor: simvastatin
Not only do they lower levels, they lower the risk of heart disease, but have to treat a lot of people to
save one. Works better when combined with niacin. Zocor doesn’t work as well when combined with
antioxydants. There are side-effects
Lipitor: the most widely used (atorvastatin), lowers cholesterol, and risks of heart disease, it is
overprescribed. Muscle aches, can’t take with grapefruit juice, will increase the metabolism of the drug.
Lipobay: too many side effects (baycol-ceivastatin) withdrawn from the market in 2001, because health
Canada has received reports of 32 cases of serious muscle weakness, 10 cases of kidney failure and one
death
Zetia blocks cholesterol uptake from the intestine – not that effective. It was combined with simvastatin
(ezetimibe): it reduced LDL significantly but didn’t reduce the plaque build ups in arteries.
Statins may lower risk by mechanisms other than just reducing cholesterol
Total calories taken matter, eat less!!!
If they take rabbits and feed them high fat diets, they will develop heart disease, if cuddle them , the
deposits will go away.
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LECTURE 5: Food additives
Accutane may cause depression
Most waxes are natural products (beeswax, carnauba, candela, shellac wax)
After apple has been picked, washed, the natural wax is removed, which has to be replaced. The added
wax will be used to retain moisture. The issue was morpholine, used as an emulsifier, can react in the
body with other amines to for nitroso-morpholine, a known carcinogen.
Carcinogen: not necessarily for humans; nitrates, naturally present in vegetables, they form nitrosamine,
carcinogen in animals.
David Suzuki: alarmist, at 73, he made a speech: the good old days...
1952: smug episode that lasted 8 day, 8000 died.
Cuyahoga River, 1970, the river caught fire!!!
1984: sewage
CFIA
Lead in their wine- sweet
Plaster of Paris used to be added CaSO4, when run out that, they added arsenic
Wileswood popcorn: real artificial flavour
Should worry about natural additives such as salt (and sugar)
NaCl: no 1 in Canada (sugar not additive) 10 Lbs consumes, we need 1 only.
Salt is associated with high blood pressure, not everyone is sensitive to salt, only those sensitive to it will
have high blood pressure. Some can take as much as they want without harm.
Sodium accompanied with chlorine is the worse,
Difficult to find replacement for NaCl; KCl is used, but not the same taste
Ornithyltaurine; not so much a good substitute.
Salary, salt in roman, this is where the word comes from
Total amount of food additive (Lbs) : 160 sugar; (130) salt; pepper (10); (1) chemicals broken down in
2000 compounds.
Mono-Sodium-Glutamate (MSG): naturally occurring in sea weed, aa gives the umami taste
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How many different families of taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami
MSG: increases taste (salivation or taste buds) it doesn’t have a taste, stimulates the taste of high
protein foods
CRS: Chinese restaurant syndrome (Kwok’s disease): part of the oriental taste (MSG) use seaweed.
Symptoms: sweating, chest pain. Not an allergic reaction, it is an adverse reaction. Difficult to determine
the sensitivity. Not so much present in double-blind studies.
Glutamic acid: present in many foods (cheese)
People that suffer from asthma are more prone to suffer from MSG
Anaphylactic shock: drop in blood pressure : 200 deaths in Canada, allergic reaction
Often the 1st reaction is a warning, the second is much more serious.
Adrenaline can reverse the drop in blood pressure used in Epi Pen
Butterball turkey: turkey, coconut oil, water, STP, salt, polysorbate 60, glycerines, artificial flavour, color
Coconut oil (more saturated), water is also added to retain moisture upon cooking, that is why STP is
added.
STP: sodium tripoly phosphate: moisture retainer. Phosphates are added in many foods. It is also found
in cleaning agent (used to tie up calcium which reacts with soap and lower the cleaning ability)
Salt is added for food preservation because of osmosis. The microorganisms will dehydrate and die. It
doesn’t depend on the nature of the solute.
Artificial butter: imitation flavour: contains a lot of chemical
The French noticed that food was decaying due to microorganisms. Pasteur: l’expérience du col de
cygne. Under sealed conditions, no organisms can be generated
Smoke: good preservative: dehydrates, chemicals toxic to microorganisms. Don’t overcooked your
smoked foods; carcinogen. Take smoke, pass in water, residues condenses it water; the more toxic
chemicals in smoke are very volatile; they don’t stay in water, but in meat they do.
Red Herring: smoking it makes it red
Food poisoning: 2M cases a year, 30 deaths in Canada. Us 20-80 M, 100 00 deaths
Salmonella; 50% is contaminated; cook it
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Listeria: cheese; major outbreak in maple leaf; older people, pregnant women
Organic food isn’t immune: spinach, and peanut butter contaminated with Ecoli
The incidence of food poisoning is going up; better reporting, increased meat and dairy consumption,
increased life-span, increased travelling, industrial farming (few farming houses; if one is contaminated,
it will spread all across; not like that before), use of antibiotics (50%)in animal feed (because they grow
faster on less feed; bacteria builds up a resistance; when the animal is killed, we will be infected with the
resistant bacteria on which antibiotics won’t work).
Older and pregnant women are more at risk (when pregnant; immune system is depressed in order to
protect the child from the immune system)
1800 chemicals are used as favour additive: it is difficult to imitate a real flavour; caused by a variety of
chemicals
Vanillin: natural identical flavour:(+others in vanilla) the no.1 artificial flavour.
Food colours: 10 synthetic colours (8+2; restricted) and 24 natural colours. The no.1 color additive is
caramel, mostly used in coke.
Beta-carotene, canthaxantine (in carots):colour was added to butter, but only in the winter season
because the cows ate hay, and the chemicals that give butter aren’t present in hay. In the winter, the
butter is white. Beta-carotene is added; they now give carrots to the cows to eat. Also used in tanning
pills (1.5g) whereas in foods it is only 0.000005g.
Cochineal red: a little insect that grows in cactus. It is collected and crushed to make food colour; used in
salami, ice cream. They use only the female gives the colour. The male has wings, and the female has
none. The color is present in the eggs, thus it is why the female is used.
Synthetic colors: coal tar dyes, now produced with petroleum. They are called certified (purity). Citrus
red restricted, can be added to the skin of oranges (high chlorophyll content can be green; people don’t
buy them).
Sodium benzoate: drinks preserved by it, studies have shown that when combined to ascorbic acid,
benzene, a known carcinogen is produced.
Feingold found a link in children with food colours and hyperactivity: maybe. Link only
Yellow no.5: must be listed by name because some people can be allergic
Red no.2 (amaranth) and Red 40 (allura red): carcinogens?
Red dye no.3: cancer! Colours maraschino cherries; thyroid tumours in male rats in high amounts (14K
daily serving of fruit cocktail for 70 years)!!
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A chemical is classified as a human carcinogen if it causes cancer in test animals and when people who
are exposed to the chemical exhibit a higher cancer rate; high dose animal studies may not reflect
exposure and risk. Association doesn’t imply causation. The presence of chemical doesn’t imply risk.
Dose-toxicity-hazard. Carcinogen aren’t necessary hazards; the dose matters. There are more natural
carcinogens than chemical ones.
Coffee: no.1 source of antioxidant.
Cancer: it is going up (cancer and heart disease) it is the no.1 cause of death in Canada. The no.1 reason
as to why it is going up is because we live longer. The disease (pneumonia and tuberculosis) in our
grandparents were eliminated. Cancer is an age disease. Thus, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
increases the risk of cancer: they make us live longer!!
ASIR: per age group, the incidence is regular except for thyroid cancer. It is the dose that makes the
poison, anything in high enough amounts can cause a problem.
Antimony is plastic water bottles: a catalyst made to do the plastic travels in the water. 600 ppt: 1sec in
32K years. Really tiny amounts. A 80kg person would have to drink 800L to reach a dangerous dose of
antimony. A person would have to drink 8 litres of water, for water to be dangerous.
Water intoxication: potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions occurs when the normal balance of
electrolytes in the body is disturbed by over consumption of water, because of osmosis. Ions will move
from the outside to the inside; the cells become bloated and expand.
Polydipsia: people have the urge to drink large amounts of water
Food colours are added to polymers that can be digested; they are excreted.
20G hot dogs: 100 per person per year. Concern with sodium nitrite (preservative prevention of
botulism, taste, and color).
Meat: myoglobine Mb(Fe2+) in the presence of 02 it produces oxymyoglobine Mb(Fe2+)02 which is red.
In the absence of oxygen is produces Mb(Fe3+) deoxymyoglubin, which is brown. Nitrites are added to
give a pink color nitrosomyoglubin Mb(Fe2+)NO. Nitrates convert in nitrosamines. Most of the nitrites
come from natural sources. Vit C can be added to hot dogs to prevent the conversion.
DMNA: dimethylnitrosamine: the 1st case of murder by cancer. It metabolises quickly.
Oxygen: browning of fruits and vegetables; oxidation of fats (BHA,BHT) chelating agents (sequestran)
(rancidity)produces butyric acid
Antioxidants are added to prevent such effects. They chelate the metals.
The metals in the knife can act as catalysts which speeds up the oxidation.
Sulphite: some people can be allergic (20deaths); used in salad bars, grapes, cut French fries, wine.
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BHT: Free radicals attack the double bonds in fats the hydrogen on the O. BHT converts very reactive
free radicals to less reactive ones (resonance stabilized) may cause liver problems; when given in large
amounts to rats, they live longer (20 man-years).
Calcium propionate: to prevent the formation of ergot . Propionic acid present in Swiss cheese in more
doses
Many preservatives that are added are derived from naturally occurring compounds
When Swiss cheese ages lactic acid produces propionic acid which produces gas which is responsible to
the holes.
Propionic acid is present in sweat.
Gums in ice cream: they add texture, they prevent the crystallization of water in ice cream; they absurd
moisture.
Radishes, celery goitrogens
Cheese: tyramine (blood pressure)
Tangeratin (causes birth defects)
Yristicin: hallucinogen
Banana: serotonin: increased blood pressure
Phlorizin: false tests in the urines
Lecture 6
Weight control
Lewis carol: the walrus...
The world’s heaviest man weighs: 550Kg Manuel Uribe Mexican
Average weight for men in 1960: 166 pounds, in 2002: 191 pounds
Average weight for women in 1960: 140 pounds, in 2002: 164 pounds
Hippocrates: obesity
Those who want to lose weight should perform hard work before food; take their meals after exertion,
while still panting from fatigue. They should eat once a day, take no baths and walk naked (the body
energy to heat the body comes from food)
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Cellulite: fat in the wrong place
Patches: estrogen supplement
Cabbage soup diet: 17 pounds in a week; not possible
Atkins diet: low carb
High carb: Dan Ornish
Obesity is a risk factor for: heart disease, stroke, hypertension, cancer, diabetes
In the short term: can drop the pounds just by eating less.
In France: McDonald’s: the serving sizes are smaller. Getting more for the money: the slogan of the fast
foods. They don’t advertise taste.
High fructose corn syrup is cheaper than sugar: obesity is associated with it. Sucrose: glucose and
fructose. For the same number of calories; if their previous meal was sweetened with glucose, they will
eat less than if it had been sweetened with fructose.
A lot of chemicals were introduced (bisphenol-A; phthalates) may also have a role to play in weight
controlled. People with a higher concentration of phthalates in their urine are more likely to weigh
more especially in their stomachs.
Weight in the abdomen is the worse; metabolically more active; more likely to get in the blood stream.
It is an independent risk factor for strokes. Men tend to put more in the stomach, and women tend to
put it more in the ties and but
BMI: body max index: weight in Kg/height in m2
The calorie: a unit of measure; the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a gram of
water by one degree Celsius. 1food calorie: 1000 small calories for 1kg. Measured by the calorimeter:
put oxygen; burn the food; water circulates, the temperature of the weight is measured. Calories in food
are not released at once.
Metabolism: the total energy consumes by biochemical processes.
Basal metabolic rate: the minimum amount of energy needed to stay alive; it varies, but is a constant.
1400-1700 calories per day.
Activity: cal/minute: measure the temperature of the room. Measure the amount of oxygen inhaled; C02
exhaled.
Exercise allows to change the basal metabolic rate so that we burn more calories per day.
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Sedentary lifestyle: 2000 cal for men and 1500 for women are recommended, but our agriculture
produces 3900 calories per person per day.
Humans are biochemically individuals: some people have a metabolism that is more efficient; requires
fewer calories to keep their body functioning; they can gain weight faster. To a large extent, it is genetic
(it is also shared meals). The genes can predispose, but our activities determines.
Pima in Arizona: everyone in that tribe is overweight, but in Mexico, that are not overweight
Low basal metabolic rate when young, predicts obesity. Basal metabolic rate is increased as weight is
put on. BMR is similar in obese and in non-obese.
Set point; resistance on cutting back on calories. 1st we will lose weight, but then it will be hard to lose
because the body will readjust.
People who are born with low metabolic rates will put on weight until their body reaches what is
considered a normal metabolic rate.
Cutting back on calories reduces BMR; increase exercise increases BMR.
95% of the time, the weight will come back on even if dramatic weight loss was achieved. If going to yoyo; don’t do it; it is worse for heart disease. Only 5% are successful. The loss: slow and overtime.
The diets: the source of the calories matters.
NA spends over 50G a year on diet products. 23K diets have been published since 1920.
Ketogenic diets: very low in carbs (high in fats and protein) produce ketone body, it can be tested in the
urine. (the last chance)
Atkins diet: low carb diet: high in protein, with little vegetable and fruits. Max carb: 90 grams/day
Carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, mostly glucose, which triggers insulin release. Insulin
allows glucose to be absorbed through receptors by muscle cells, and be used for energy. With too
much insulin in the blood, receptors are overwhelmed and become resistant. Glucose is absorbed into
fat cells and is converted to fat. In the absence of glucose in the blood, stored fat is used to produce
energy and weight loss occurs.
Problem: deficiency in fruits and fibres puts a burden on kidneys
National weight control registry: 3000 ppl who have lost a minimum of 30 pounds and kept in off for a
year. Less than 8% did it with the Atkins diet. Average participants have lost 70 pounds and kept it off for
6 years. Combination of diet and exercise (only 10% used diet alone; non-specific in general, but
generally low in fat and high in cars; fibres), eat breakfast every day. Weigh themselves frequently, and
watched a minimum amount of TV.
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Duke university study: 60 ppl on Atkin’s, 60 ppl on AHA diet for 6 months. On the Atkin’s ppl lost 60
pounds, and on the AHA people lost 31 pounds. Each diet was under 1500 cal. LDL unchanged on either
diet. Triglycerides dropped on Atkins, increased in AHA. HDL unchanged on AHA, up on Atkins. After 12
months, the weight loss was the same.
South beach diet: reduce bad carbs; like baked potatoes and bananas, no need to count calories; have
list of allowed foods based on the glycemic index. (by how much blood glucose is elevated)
The Zone: carbs 40%, proteins 40%, fat 30%
Is there a low cal diet that people will be happy with? No
Montignac: Je mange donc je maigris.
Suzanne summers and Dr. Phil did a diet program!
High carbohydrate diet (Ornish): lentilles, pees, grains...healthier diet because of the nutrients
Fit for life diet: food combination, no scientific basis
The fat blocker diet: chitosan: complex carbs, not digested, interfere with fat in the gut
Studies in the 1980s showed that people who had a high calcium intake had lower blood pressure, which
also correlated with low body weight. Low calcium intake causes kidneys to release more calcitrol, but
also causes fat to be absorbed by fat cells. Mice on a low cal diet and supplemented with low-fat dairy
had a 69% reduction in body mass.
32 obese adults ate 500 fewer calories than usual with varying intakes of calcium. The greatest weight
loss was with 1200-1300 MGS calcium from low fat dairy products.
Nutrisystem: may be good. Have to sign a contract that say that we will eat only their food
Smart for life cookie craze: 6 of these per day and a meal at night.
Most successful dieters don’t enrol in programs, do not use meal replacements or drugs
Eating low glycemic index foods helps to curb hunger. Minimize sugar. High fibre grain are OK.
Protein slows the absorption of food; eating carbs with protein slows insulin release.
Low energy density foods like soups and fruits enhance the feeling of fullness
No need to cut fat below 30% of calories. Keep to mono and poly; low fat diet keeps us hungry.
Exercise, including weight training (weights are even better)
Sex cuts calories: 125-300cal. Kissing 6-12 cal
People who lose 10% of their weight report significant improvements in their sex lives.
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Diet drugs
At the bell center: 14 inches; now 20 inches
The study of obesity is bariatric: a life-long disease.
Drugs: control the metabolic activity, lower nutrients absorption, or diminish appetite (most popular)
Drugs that increase the BMR
Caffeine: increase the metabolic rate: take a quite large amounts
Ephedra: present in herb known as phedra; the active ingredient is ephedrine, which belongs to the
family as amphetamine (speed).
Metabolife: mix of ephedrine and caffeine to stimulate the BMR, lead to a number of deaths (155) in
health food stores. Over the counter drug. Banned January 2004. They have an effect on the heart.
Ephedrine (Canada): banned if dose greater than 8mg, banned if caffeine is present, banned if labelled
for weight loss or appetite suppressant. Allowed in traditional medicine (Ma Huang; Chinese herb)
Synephrine and octopamine: present in citrus fruit. Not as potent as ephedrine, but resemble the
structure.
Nicotine: increases the BMR; one of the reasons women (mainly) don’t stop smoking (the promotion
even revolved)
Slow insulin release drugs: can increase the BMR
Von Bulow: Englishman who married a rich lady; his wife was found in a coma, they found a pouch with
a needle with insulin. He was accused of injecting his wife with a lethal dose of insulin (he had a
mistress). Their argument was that he didn’t inject himself; she wanted to lose weight (same layers as
OJ). She dies in 2008, after 38 years in a coma. Dallas: who killed JR
In WW1: people used to make ammunitions, would sweat a lot and lose weight; the vapour of 2,4dinitrophenol increased the metabolic rate: negative effect on the heart.
The number of fat cells is determined at a young age; when we put on weight; the fat cells just expand.
The brown fat cells are potent at weight loss; try to stimulate the production of the brown fat cells so
that they burn it off as heat. Babies have a high level of brown fat cells; it’s important for them not to
lose body temperatures.
Nutrient absorption drugs
Xenical: blocks the absorption of fat: orlista is the general name.
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Lipase acts on lipids to metabolise them; thus to block the conversion of fat into calories; slow down the
effect of the enzyme. It blocks the enzyme thus preventing the splitting of the fat cells.
Viagra for the ties: 5-10% weight loss.
The fats are going to come out. Fat soluble vitamins will be expelled as well.
Over the counter drug: alli. There have been issues
Appetite suppressing drugs: all have cardiovascular issue
Appetite is controlled by noradrenaline and serotonin
Amphetamine: also controls the appetite (diminishes it) benzynadrine. Elvis Priestley addicted to it.
Cardiovascular problems, anxiety, dependence.
Phenteramine: the hydrogen was replaced by a methyl group. It is sold over the counter as dietac.
Phenolpropanolamine (also in contact C) it is a decongestant. Not used anymore. Side effect is appetite
suppressant. Side effect: hallucination. They act on the brain. Resembles amphetamines and ephedrine.
Women aged 18-49 who took PPA containing cold remedies were 3 times more likely to suffer an
hemorrhagic stroke. Women who took PPA containing appetite suppressants were 17 times more likely
to suffer from the condition (because they take it more regularly)
Serotonin
Wurtman: the 1st one to show that nutrients could affect serotonin levels; carbs increase it because they
increase the production of tryptophan, a precursor if serotonin. When serotonin levels are high,
appetite decreases, and so does the sex drive. .
Servier: specializes in appetite suppressant mechanism.
Ponderal (fenfluramine): ressembles amphetamine. Side effects: drowsiness. They added phentamine
(become hyper). FEN/PHEN: a mixture of the 2. Really popular in 1980s-1990s. Side effects: drowsiness,
depression , pulmonary problems, sex drive (increased it)
Fenfluramine: steric carbon. Enantioners: one might fit in the receptor site, and the other may not. Only
one of the 2 has the desired effect; the other may fit in other receptors and cause the adverse effect. Try
to use only one d-enantiomer.
The d-enantimer was introduced in REDOX 100000 prescription per week. When they are used by a
number of people, the side effects show: primary pulmonary hypertension (only hope: heart transplant).
It may cause brain damage (serotonin). It was removed from the market (waxy deposits on the valve of
the heart causing them not to function; they can’t close). 14 death for 280 lives saved (obese)
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The drugs that increase serotonin have also been reviewed: Prozac doesn’t cause such side effects
Prozac blocks the reuptake of serotonin thus increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synapse.
REDUX: reuptake inhibitor and increased production leading to much higher level of serotonin. Which
gave rise to serotonin syndrome (too much at the synapse).
MERIDA (sibutramine) reuptake inhibitor for both nor and ser. 10M patients 400 serious reaction, 84
deaths. Banned in Europe first and then in the states. Now banned.
MEDIATOR (benfluorex) servier labs: contains fluorine: cardiac valve failure (500-2000 deaths in France:
1979-2010 (removed)
Accomplia: rimonobant: CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist approved in Europe only (2006-08) it
caused depression and suicidal thoughts.
LEPTIN: (amgen) obese rat: deficit in hormone called leptin. When injected they lost weight. They
injected it to humans. They aren’t deficient, but have too few receptors.
OB-receptors: synthetic receptors for leptine.
Slentrol: triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor for dogs!
60% humans, 30% dogs, 35% obese 5%obese dogs.
Lecture 7: minerals
Salt content of sea water: (80ml) 3.5% of salt. 3.8% of salt in the Galapagos because it is warmer (water
would evaporate too fast). In the Dead Sea there is 32% salt.
Mineral: now they start to sell crystals that have ‘’health properties’’. They have come to the internet.
Certain minerals are ingested regularly.
Dolomite (magnesium and calcium): CaCO3, there is HgS in there, when grinded it is vermillion (toxic).
Dolomite is taken as a mineral; there may be other minerals co-crystallized in lower amounts that if
taken regularly can be dangerous.
Iron: 2.81mg is added. People taking it have been toxified to some extent because of the dolomite.
Sodium in water: it catches fire
Magnesium and calcium have the same properties.
Halogen and potassium: fuming thing KBr: crystalline solid; high melting point.
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Potassium is stored in hydrocarbons (no loose hydrogens)
All minerals are in ionic form, and most of them are soluble in water.
Chlorine: plain green gas (he made chlorine)
Where is the salt in the planet? Yuyuni salt flats in Bolivia. There is a lot in chilli. Not always completely
pure.
6 grams: 2$40% weight sodium. 2.4g or twice the recommended intake. The US have doubled the
Canadian recommended about of salt.
One 60ug grain of salt
Hypertension: too much salt is thought cause it. Reducing salt- reduces the water; less for the heart to
pump. They take potassium instead of sodium; doesn’t have the same taste; unbalances the ions in the
blood.
Molybdenum: 2mg/d: get from nuts, canned vegetables, bread, cereal; needed in enzymes that
removes uric acid (inflamed toe). Prevents the gout toe. Xanthine enzymes to remove the uric acid
Iron: 2-4g in the body; 10-20mg are needed every day. Deficiency: anemia, hemochromotosis (genetic):
the body absorbs abnormal amounts of salt, which is stored in the heart, liver, pancreas and joints. It
leads to liver disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Because people were cooking with iron pans, the iron
dissolved. Can destroy the organs.
It is best absorbed with vit C, which assists in the absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It is present
in meat and veggies.
Haemoglobin: a chelating agent with iron in the middle with an oxygen attached to it.
In the medival times; if put iron nails in wine; get better.
Geritol: adds ion in the body 3mg in one ml. Slow release ion: slow FE, less side effects if slow release
(disovles slowly) give 264%
Prophyria: inherited condition: too much porphyrin produced; it effects the nervous system and or the
skin. Reddish skin, excessive hair.
Zinc: Aspergillus Niger (1869) this bacteria requires zinc, culture of A.N spores causes respiratory
problems. Zinc is silver, but darker as a powder. 0.003% of body weight (1-2g) necessary for insulin to
function. Necessary for healing and smell. Estimated than 20% don’t have enough zinc in the diet. Linked
to dwarfism and pneumonia. Also important for Renauld’s disease. Prostate, schizophrenia (correlation
only; they have non-standard zinc levels). Nuts and meat have zinc in it. 50 mg. A lot of it in oysters and
clams. Vegetarian diet is hard on zinc. The fibres sequester zinc; it is taken out of the body. It is needed
for hearing, smelling and tasting; anosmia.
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Enzyme connection (200 known enzymes that require zinc): alcohol ddehydrogenase, RNA polymerase,
t-RNA synthetase
Iodine:
Elemental iodine: it doesn’t melt when heated it sublimates goes directly from solid in gas (purple)
Deficiency of the ionic iodine causes goitre. It is needed by the thyroid gland for fat metabolism.
Theodore Kocher 1841-1917: Nobel Prize in 1909; thyroid work. Sea weed. Table salt has added
potassium iodine (0.01% in salt) need 150 mcg. Camels produce a lot of salt. 2G people have iodine
deficiency. 5 cents per percent per year to solve the problem.
Selenium (below sulphur) SeO32- selenite. 100mcg per pill. In onions and garlic, seaweed, brazil nuts,
tuna. It is an antioxidant that works with vitamin D. It is part of glutathione peroxidise that protects the
cells against oxidative damage.
Hippocrates about garlic
China produces more apples than any other country in the world (75%); about 10 million metric tons are
produced globally.
Calcium Ca2+
99% or our bones and teeth (1kg); 1% nerve transmission and blood clotting.
Dr. Sidney Ringer: determined that the body needs calcium for nerve functions.
Osteoporosis: weakening of the bones; 10% of the population, 350 000 hip fractures/year.
Risk factors: short stature, underweight, early menopause, physical inactivity, alcoholism, smoking,
excess caffeine, protein and fibre.
Men tend to consume more calcium than women.
Low level linked: mid-life hypertension and heart disease. Low-level causes: postmenopausal
osteoporosis in women 50-75, and senile osteoporosis in men/women 75+.
Resorption: 1-5% a year in women for 40-50 year. In males it starts 10-20 years later. At 5% per year half
the bone mass is gone in 14 years
Take 70, divide by the % of change per time and the result is the length of time it will take to either
double or halve the circumstance in question.
10% loss of hip mass: 170% increase in fractures. A lot of people die from it because of complications
that may occur.
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The mechanism of how calcium comes in and out
Osteoclast (cells) the protein takes a calcium ion and takes it out of the bone. We could find therapies
that reduce the amount of osteoclast cells. Fosamax (alendronate) inhibits osteoclast: gives an
improvement of 3% a year. It may cause GI tract abnormalities (nausea, cramping, gas, obstipation). It
has been linked to jawbone problem (jawbone death) a tissue that is dying in the jawbone. Zometa helps
to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. FDA approved. It seems to cut the risk of spine
fracture (70%) and the chances of hip fracture (40%). There are side effects to the drug (like every other
drug). The osteoblast delivers calcium to the bone.
Therapies for bone loss: calcium has to be present. People take calcium supplements 1980-1989 from
20M to 300M. For 2005: 600M for 2009 1.2G sales. Caltrate is one of the major substances: calcium
carbonate (limestone). Taken from the dolomite mountains (marbles is taken from there).
Drop acid on the stone to see if carbonate: get bubbling: carbon dioxide and given. Calcium chloride
melts the ice.
Detection: blood, x-ray, CT, single and double* photon absorptiometry.
If taking calcium supplements: take it with meal, because of the acid secretion. Look at the dissolution
rate. When the form of calcium is very dense, it takes much more time to dissolve.
Calcium content in milk is the same regardless.
A recent meta-analysis showed that calcium supplementation may increase the hip for hip fracture by
60%. The reason is that the supplements are calcium citrate or calcium carbonate and these interfere
with phosphate absorption. Too much calcium inhibits the phosphorus.
Sources for phosphorus: milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, fish, chicken-turkey and coca-cola (phosphoric acid)
1200mg (1000-1500) of calcium is needed; in the growing years 9-18 years old: more calcium is needed,
from 19-50 less, and after that age, more is needed.
Bone mineral
Proton pump inhibitor: too much acid. Reduces the amount of calcium that can go in the bone.
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Therapies: calcium, estrogen, and calcitonin (32 amino acid peptide that has a role in calcium and
phosphorus metabolism)
calcium build-up in the arteries can cause heart-attacks in postmenopausal women. 1500 women with a
mean age of 74 taking calcium supplements had a 50% chance of having either a heart attack or stroke
compared with those taking a placebo.
*It has been determined that calcium uptake is better when vitamin D is enhanced more studies are
needed to capture the best relationship with vitamin D and calcium.
Estrogen: receptors are in bone cells. 2 year double blind study: calcium is needed. Issues: Premarin: a
prescribed drug in the US usually with Progestin. Raloxifene: estrogen mimic; fewer side effects it really
helps prevent osteoporosis; may help prevent heart disease, increase the risk of uterine cancer and may
increase the risk of breast cancer.
Estrogen plus progestin (prempro) helps prevent osteoporosis, reduces risk of uterine cancer, but breast
cancer may increase, and the risk of heart disease may not decrease. The number of prescription for this
decreased a lot. It has a big effect on the industry.
For many years, this was the conclusion:
Estrogen: helps prevent osteoporosis, may increase heart disease, increases the risk of uterine cancer,
and may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Estrogen plus progestin: helps prevent osteoporosis, doesn’t protect against heart disease, risk of
uterine cancer unchanged, may increase the risk of breast cancer.
For breast cancer: from 96.5 to 95% chances of remaining cancer free.
Absolute risk: death rate for a particular disease.
It seems that the risk of heart disease it relatively low during estrogen therapy.
Ethical placebo: not just giving a placebo; the person is told that it is a placebo. People can still get
better at 40% because the doctor gives patients attention; people get better right away. For a drug to be
put on the market it has to be higher than the 40% of the placebo.
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Reviewer suggests benefits in estrogen: people may have fewer risk of breast cancer. Ragaz, UBC
Fluoride is another therapy: slow-release fluoride builds up bones without side effects; it replaces the
hydroxyl group; it stimulates ostheoblast cell formation. Exercice works. Lifting weight builds bones.
Boron (fruits, vegetables,nuts) Borax: sodium borate is a cleansing agent.
Lecture 8: adverse food reaction
Canada: overweight 36% BMI 25-30 obese 23% BMI 30+
US: overweight 34% obese 35%
Adverse food reactions
Salmonella, hepatitis (oral fecal route), ecoli0157:H7 recall of spinach traced to a wild pig that pooped in
one batch. Taco Bell and E.coli; lettuce and tomatoes that came from mexico. Peanut butter
contaminated with salmonella. Can get botulin poisoning: organic carrot juice.
Real risk or perceived risk?
Salem, New Jersey 1820: Robert gibbon Johnson: had to do something with how people ate for
breakfast. It was perceived that tomatoes were poisoning because in the same family as belladonna
plant which produces atropine. Thanks to him tomatoes were introduced. Licopne (anti-oxidant)
1850: English physician Arthur Hasall saw that steel fork became coated with copper when he mashed
the gooseberries that he had bought for a pie. They had been adulterated with copper to make them
green. In the early 1900s chalk was added to watered down milk; arsenic and boric acid sprinkled on
meat and fish to retard spoilage and lard was added to extend butter. Arsenic oxide in the meat to
preserve it. Indigo was added to tea.
Unintentional toxins
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Contamination with pesticides; they are used because they are necessary. Inappropriate use can result
in abnormal pesticides levels. For example, cucumbers are treated with aldicarb because they are prone
to attack by a variety of insects; if not properly applied and diluted. A 15 year old boy complained of
blurred vision; the concentration was too high. An employee thought that aldicarb was pepper, and
served it, people had serious reaction.
Mercury: when we burn coal that contains it, the mercury gets in the air, gets washed down in water,
and fish get contaminated. It is during the embryonic development that it can lead to serious problems.
Stay away from large fish. Salmon is fine.
Naturally occurring toxins:
Slanine: potatoes when they begin to sprout, when it is very nutrient rich. Alkaloid; naturally occurring
pesticides.
Muscarine: mushrooms. Red and white spots
Mycotoxins: greens, products of the molds. May have effects; only metabolised after years.
Tyramine: cheese (soft cheese with mold no). Vasopressor. Normally, it is not an issue, but when taking
MAOI than they are at risk, because that medication inhibits the metabolism of tyramine.
Histamine: spoiled fish (they have all sorts of bacteria on them) scromboid poisoning because of the
high level of histamine produced by the breakage of histadine. Histamine triggers allergic reaction. Can
be a mild to severe reaction. Not life threatening condition. Treated with antihistamine (Benadryl)
Ciguatera poisoning: barracuda that live on plant, it builds up in the flesh of the fish; it is much more
serious (muscle pain, dizziness) can be long lasting (weeks). hot cold reversal can diagnose because it is a
neurological problem.
Tetrodotoxin: puffer fish. One of the most poisonous toxin know. Said to be the zombie poison that gave
rise to such story. If we give someone the right dose, the person’s breathing can get so shallow that they
were thought dead. Zombie cucumber contains atropine and scopolamine, which speeds up the heart.
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Domoic acid: shellfish. It was present in the algae. Can interfere with the nervous system, can make us
loose our LTM.
Red tide toxin: algae
Cyanide: casaba. Tuber that is cooked; the tubers have to be piled up and be exposed to the air because
the oxygen will interact with linemarin.
Licorice: glyserisic acid can rob the body of potassium, which can lead to paralysation. The treatment is
simple, but people may never connect.
Pyrollizidine alkaloids: toxic to the liver, in comfrey
Socrates: drink the juice of the coniine of the hemlock plant
Body chemistry problem
Diabetes: body doesn’t produce insulin (type 1) or the body becomes resistant to the insulin produced
(type 2). Without insulin, glucose can’t enter in the cells, and they die of starvation.
Phenolketonurea: genetic; inability to metabolise phenylalanine (aa) people are missing an enzyme, if a
level is too high in the brain, it can be damaged. It is very risky in the beginning of life. People must stay
away from things that contain it. Aspartame contain phenylalanine which is harmless to most people, it
is an essential aa.
Lactose intolerance: inability to digest lactose (milk) to digest lactose, have to break the molecule apart;
glucose and galactose are obtain after the breakage by lactase. The lactose gets into the colon, where
bacteria ferment which can produce hydrogen. To confirm it: given a dose of lactose; after that asked to
blow in a bag, the sample is analysed for the presence of hydrogen. Can put the enzyme in the milk,
lactate pills. 70% suffer from it (mostly Asians)
Favism: can metabolise fava beans (more in men than women) can trigger anemia, destroy red. Suffer
from glucose-6-phophate dehydrogenase deficiency. Abnormal break down of red blood cells:
haemolytic anemia). Get headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, back pain. pythagoras
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Celiac disease (gluten sensitivity): gliodine in wheat (protein): more people affected by it. The inability to
process wheat product. Dr. Samuel Gee 1888: children with bloated stomachs, diarrhea, stunted gout.
Dr. Dicke WW2: the germans tried to starve out the Dutch; there was no wheat. The patients now got
much better. Gluten is a set of protein that characterize wheat; gliadin in one specific protein. It occurs
in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and a bit in oats (some can it oats). The disease is a continuum.
Problem with osti. The immune system mistakes gliadin for an invader and mounts an antibody attack,
which triggers the release of cytokines (by white blood cells) which damage the Villi. They become
inflamed and fuse together; the surface area in contact with food is reduced. Some people can have it
later in life; some people start after a stressfull event. Stools are light colored, bulky, smelly and sticky
due to high fat content. Poor absorption of iron, folic acid, calcium, protein. More prone to
osteroporosis. In children: when they have persistent diarrhea and don’t grow, In adults; if have
unexplained weight loss. Can get rashes.
Diagnosis comes from endoscopic biopsy. Blood test: anti-gliadin antibodies are generated. Only about
50% of the patients show damaged villi upon biopsy. Anti-tissue transglutamine test (anti-tTG). People
who have it, can buy gluten free foods. Rice, corn and soy is fine.
Incidence is about 1/5000 (confirmed cases)a lot go undiagnosed. It may be as high as 1/200 positive
blood test. Is it worth putting them on the diet? May be linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, headaches,
behavioural problems, neurological problems, autism?
Allergic reaction: the body releases histamines, the ultimate reaction is anaphylaxis: low blood pressure.
Fish, shelfish, eggs, milk (one of the most common, but often outgrown) and nuts are some of the
common food allergens. The reaction is almost always to a protein. Dark under the eyes can be a
symptom of food allergy. Papaye, meat tenderizer; common. Adrenaline in the EpiPen counters the
anaphylaxis, but patients must allays go to the hospital. Corn can be produced on the same machine as
was peanut flour was; there can be contamination. Early weaning may predispose to allergies, the
longer the breastfeeding, the better. Masked food allergy: headache, depression, aching joints,
constipation, water retention. Don’t show increased level of antibodies (IGE antibodies). Cooked pears
and cooked lamb; they don’t provoke reaction. Exclude everything in the diet except that. When the
foods that trigger the reaction are removed, the patients will show withdrawal symptoms. Less than 1%
of the population is positive, according to a double blind study.
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Hypoglycaemia: sudden drop of blood glucose: sweating, shaking, palpitations, confusion, lightheadedness. The way to know it we are: low blood sugar can be a consequence of earting to much
sugar: the pancreas produces too much insulin which dramatically drops the amount of sugar. Thus
giving someone a load of glucose and see how long it takes for the blood glucose to dissapate. Those
who have hypoglycaemia: there is a more dramatic rise in blood glucose and a dramatic drop occurs.
Only if they have symptoms during the drop, they are diagnosed. People have to limit their consumption
of sugar; frequent meals with small amounts of carbs in it.
Sugar doesn’t make hyperactive; it does more like the opposite. Carbohydrates cause the release of
serotonin which has a calmness inducing effects. The proteins are broken down in aa, Trp is more readily
absorbed under certain circumstances. When insulin is secrete after glucose consumption, the
competing aa go into the muscle, leaving Trp, the serotonin precursor, to go to the brain.
Tyrosine, precursor for epinephrine; it gets transformed in dopamine, the norepinephrine, and
epinephrine. The higher the concentration of tyrosine, the more epinephrine produced. A fish meal is
rich in protein and low in carbs. B vitamins and C vitamin are required as coenzymes. Protein leads to
alertness.
Fruits: fructose malabsorption: similar to lactose intolerance. It is an absorption problem.
Hereditary fructose intolerance: much more serious, it can kill. Lack fructose1-phophate aldolase
deficiency. It interferes with the body’s use of glucose. It causes: nausea, sweating, tremors, seizures
(symptoms of hypoglycaemia). People have an aversion to anything sweet.
Sorbitol: in the sugarless gums, the bacteria cant metabolise it. People can’t absorb it, people can
darrhea.
Idiosynchratic reaction (unknown causes): tartrazine (yellow in tang, jello) can trigger asthmatic
reactions and skin rashed, benzoates (preservatives), sulphites (white grape juice and wine),
monosodium glutamate (in Chinese food: Chinese restaurant syndrome; very dose-dependent),
capsaicin (hot pepper; salsa sniffles).
Reaction to microbes
Can range from mild gastro to serious; can die)
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There are more bacterial cells in us than human cells. Over a thousand different kind in the human body.
2M illnesses a year in Canada.
Bacterial infection: they multiply and their number causes the problem
Bacterial intoxication: toxins that the bacteria produces. While heat may kill the bacteria, but not always
the toxic released.
The most common is salmonella: won’t cause a problem until there are too many. Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, headache. Starts 6 hours to 2 days after consumption and lasts 1-2
days. About 30 deaths a year in Canada (especially the immune deficient) reactive arthritis, cardiac
problems, lactose intolerance, chronic diarrhea, food allergies, after one exposure. Sprouts are
particularly prone to salmonella because of the growth. Wash the food. The reason to wash is not
because of pesticides, it is to get off bacteria. If cooked properly the chicken is fine. Cross contamination
happens. Stainless steel: bacteria don’t stick. Temperature 4 degrees to 60 degrees.
Campylobacter jejuni (non-pasteurized milk): incubation is 2-5 days and the infection can last for several
weeks. Gastroenteritis: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain. May lead to guillain barre
syndrome (partial to total paralysis) affects the myelin sheath.
Listera monocytogenes: can grow at refrigerator temperatures. Mostly found on high protein foods like
cheese and processed meats. Can grow in the refrigerator. Starts a few days to three weeks after
consumption and requires immediate medical help (meningitis, encephalitis) (maple leaf, contamination
due to one screw somewhere in the machine)
Staphylo: toxin produces is dangerous. Someone with dirty hands prepared it. Even after cooked; the
bacteria may be dead, but the toxin is still there.
Clostridium botulinum: anaerobic organism. Fractions of a micro gram can kill 0.0000001 grams can kill.
Using nitrites prevents the formation of the toxin. Botox: treat chronic headaches, and treatments for
anal fissures.
Ecoli: the hamburger toxin; not enough cooking. Much meat is contaminated with it, because animals
have it in their gut. The hamburger can’t be red. But steak is ok; because it is present only in the gut, not
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the skin. Steak tartar: from fillet minion. Cook to internal temperature of 70 celcius. Ecoli may become
hardier by precooking (microwave). In a skillet it takes 8 minutes to kill all. After procookin it takes 12.
Food irradiation opf hamburger meat could curb the E.coli. Expose to gamma rays. Apples.
Hepatitis A: virus: transmitted by the oral-fecal route. Incubation is 15-50 days and the infection can last
for months. Flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, jaundice. Chi-Chi’s; either the lettuce or the green onions;
manure was used to fertilize.
Wash for: the song of happy birthday.
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