Saturated fat kills Candida

This post includes a summary of a study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2001 November; 45(11): 3209–3212 and a recipe for baked eggs florentine.

Study title and authors: 

In Vitro Killing of Candida albicans by Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides

Gudmundur Bergsson,1* Jóhann Arnfinnsson,2 Ólafur Steingrímsson,3 and Halldor Thormar1

Books:

Institute of Biology, University of Iceland,1 Department of Anatomy, University of Iceland Medical School,2 and Department of Microbiology, National University Hospital,3 Reykjavik, Iceland

*Corresponding author. Mailing address: Institute of Biology, University of Iceland, Grensasvegur 12, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC90807/

The results of the study show that capric acid, a 10-carbon saturated fatty acid, causes the fastest and most effective killing of all three strains of Candida albicans tested. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon saturated fatty acid, was the most active at lower concentrations and after a longer incubation time.

Capric acid and Lauric acid are found in milk fat, butter, palm oil and coconut oil.

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Recipe of the day

Baked Eggs Florentine

Ingredients:

• 1 slice bacon

Food Mall: Eggs

• 1/2 c spinach

• 1/2 c diced tomatoes

• 2 eggs

• Coconut oil

Instructions:

Oil ramekins (small baking bowls) and place them on a cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350 F.

For each ramekin, tear bacon strip into small pieces and place in the bottom of ramekin.

Add baby spinach, then tomatoes. Pepper to taste.

Crack the eggs over the top (do not break yokes). Place ramekins (on the cookie sheet) in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes.



Saturated fats give protection against E. coli

This post contains a summary of a study published in Folia Microbiologica 48 (6) 731-735 2003 and a recipe for coconut beef madras.

Books:

Study title and author:

Susceptibility of Escherichia coli to C2-C18 Fatty Acids

M. Marounek

This study can be accessed at: http://www.cssm.info/priloha/fm2003_731.pdf

The results of the study showed that the saturated fats; caprylic acid and capric acid, have significant antimicrobial activity against E. coli and thus may enhance the immune system against gastrointestinal infections.

Caprylic acid and capric acid are found in milk fat, butter, palm oil and coconut oil.

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Recipe of the day

Coconut Beef Madras

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Beef

900g/2lb braising cut into 5cm/2inch cubes

Salt and freshly milled black pepper
45ml/3tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 x 5cm/2inch piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 red chillies, deseeded (if preferred) and finely chopped
30ml/2tbsp tomato purée
30-60ml/2-4tbsp Madras curry paste or similar
200ml/7floz coconut milk
150ml/¼pint water
2 small cinnamon sticks
45ml/3tbsp freshly chopped coriander, to garnish
Fresh coconut shavings, to garnish, optional

Method:
1.Heat 30ml/2tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan, season the beef and brown the meat in batches for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a large heatproof casserole dish.

2.In the same frying pan heat the remaining oil and cook the onion, garlic, ginger and chillies over a low heat for 10-15 minutes until soft and lightly brown.

3.Transfer to a food processor or mini blender and process until smooth. Return to the casserole dish and add the remaining ingredients except the coriander and coconut shavings.

4.Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 2-2½hours, stirring occasionally. Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.



Reduced saturated fat consumption has led to vitamin D deficiency

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published at the University of Washington School of Public Health and a recipe for cherokee green onions and eggs.

Study title and author:
Dietary Saturated Fat and Fat Soluble Vitamins in Childhood Health: A New Approach
Deborah Gardner, MPH Candidate Department of Maternal & Child Health, University of Washington School of Public Health

This paper can be accessed at: http://depts.washington.edu/mchprog/docs/posters/2010/GardnerCapstone.pdf
                                                                                                                                            Books:

Gardner notes childhood obesity has increased from the early 1970s by approximately 400%. Standard interventions, like Pathways: a school based, randomized controlled trial for the prevention of obesity in American Indian schoolchildren, focus on reducing dietary saturated fat. This approach, as per the results of Pathways, has not been successful.

Saturated fat reduction may also contribute to a growing problem of fat soluble vitamin deficiency. Vitamin D3 deficiency has garnered the most attention, but deficiency in other animal fat derived vitamins (e.g. vitamin K2) is also of concern, and these may have implications for nervous system bone and immune system development as well as diseases like Type 1 diabetes mellitus or autism.

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Recipe of the day
                                                                                                                               Food Mall: Eggs 

Cherokee Green Onions and Eggs

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

-3 Tbsp bacon fat

-2 bunches of wild green onions, whites and crisp green tops, trimmed and sliced in 1/4" rounds

-1/4 cup water

-7 large eggs or 6 jumbo eggs
-pepper (optional)

Instructions:
Heat bacon fat in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and turn in fat to coat. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Uncover and add water. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until green onions are tender but not brown. If water is all absorbed, add more by tablespoons.

Break eggs into the skillet and stir with a fork until they are scrambled. Raise heat to medium.

Continue to stir until eggs are as cooked as desired. When they are nearly done, adjust the seasonings.