Lee McCusker (BA; MSc; MSc; MSc; ANutr; SENr) is a registered public health nutritionist (ANutr) and sports and exercise nutritionist (SENr) from Belfast. He runs his own private nutrition practice in West Belfast where he works with the general public as well as athletes. Lee is our nutrition columnist and is a nutrition lecturer on HND programmes in Belfast Met College. Lee has robust academia behind him with a total of four University Degrees including two MSc’s in Food and Nutrition and Sports and Exercise Nutrition through Ulster University.
CO-enzyme Q10 is described as a vitamin-like substance that is produced in our bodies when we eat foods like chicken, sardines, mackerel, salmon, eggs, broccoli, spinach sesame seeds, pistachio nuts and peanuts.
LACTOSE is a sugar found only in cow’s milk which sometimes people can’t digest. This condition is known as lactose intolerance. This can lead to bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
THE main electrolytes that our bodies require include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride. These are electrically charged minerals that are crucial for hydration, nerves, movement and our ph balance.
COOKING oils are great processed foodstuffs that play a key role in a healthy diet. They contain plant sterols which lower cholesterol, as well as vitamin Km which helps with blood clotting and bones, and vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants may protect against inflammatory diseases.
TAP water comes from reservoirs and passes through a water cleansing plant before being piped into your home. This is to reduce any exposure to contaminants or chemicals that may run off land near the reservoirs. It is safe to drink tap water where we live.
FOODS like blueberries, coconut water, leafy greens and soups have been hailed as the next health-boosting, cancer fighting, energy-boosting superfoods.
WHITE bread is not inherently bad or toxic, despite the fact that increasing numbers of consumers view it with suspicion and doubt.
INFLAMMATION is our body’s natural defence mechanism against injury or damage. Redness and swelling occurs when our bodies immune system reacts to threats.
OSTEOPOROSIS is a condition where bones become thin and their strength is reduced. This makes them more likely to break. It affects both men and women but is most common after the menopause.
GREEK yogurt is a beneficial fermented food and makes up an important part of your recommended three dairy a day, including cheese and milk.
CREATINE is one of the most popular dietary supplements worldwide. It is relatively safe for most people, although it needs to be avoided by people with kidney conditions.
REGISTERED nutritionists know all too well that the New Year creates a huge amount of interest in lifestyle and diet from so-called health gurus. This is easy to see after the festive period as brands use this time to prey on potential customers and encourage them to think they need to invest in a new product or new diet. Some of the diets that do the rounds include Atkins, alkaline, detoxes, cabbage soup, blood type, ketogenic, maple syrup, paleo, juice cleanses, whole 30 and potato. And of course celebrity-endorsed diets with no scientific backing.
KOMBUCHA tea is a fermented milk drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast cultures. Once these are mixed it is left to ferment with the resulting drink having vinegar, B-vitamins, probiotics and amino acids or proteins.
IF you drink alcohol at high levels or dependently then – apart from the many other issues – you may be at risk of becoming deficient in some of the essential nutrients and vitamins your body needs to function appropriately.
EATING a diverse and balanced diet is very important for skin health. A diet that is rich in vitamins (A, B2, B3, B6, C, D and E) and minerals (zinc and selenium) is key for skin health.