Nutrition Concepts

Basically the purpose of this page is to provide you with fun facts and random health and nutrition information. The source of all the information is my Nutrition Concepts class that I am taking with Dr. Anthony Licatese, a chiropractor in Oswego, NY.

Proteins are necessary because they supply amino acids. Complete proteins cover the whole spectrum of amino acids the body needs, while incomplete dietary proteins only contain some of the essential amino acids. Complete proteins are provided by many products that come from animals such as lean red meat, eggs, poultry, fish, cheese and others. Incomplete proteins are supplied in grains, legumes, leafy green veggies and others.

** Did you know the body cannot process more than 20g of protein in two hours. Therefore anything over 20g in a two hour period just goes to waste? And by 'goes to waste' I mean rots in your intestines and colon until its passed, via "farts that will clear a building" <- direct quote.

Fats are absolutely necessary for a healthy diet, no matter who you are. Burning fat yields more energy than burning carbohydrates, but fat just doesn't burn as cleanly. It is crucial that infants and children get an adequate supply of fats to foster Myelin Production, which speeds up synapse reaction processes in the body. Additionally, fats are the most filling, longest lasting foods. Hence, "Hungry? Grab a Snickers."

Summary of types of Fats:
Saturated? "Eh" They have no effect on good cholesterol and increases bad cholesterol
Polyunsaturated? "Okay" They decrease both good and bad cholesterol
Monounsaturated? "Best" They increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol
Trans Fatty Acids? "Worst" They decrease good cholesterol and increase bad cholesterol

*Partially Hydrogenated Oils = Trans Fatty Acids
*Companies can legally proclaim that their products are low in Trans Fat or have none, but 90% of the time if you look at the label of a product, it will have Partially Hydrogenated Oils listed.
**Partially Hydrogenated Oils = Trans Fatty Acids

Confusing? Yes - Thanks FDA!