Not all vitamin A is created equal. There are actually two forms of vitamin A in the human diet, which are retinol (aka preformed vitamin A) and provitamin A carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Even though popular nutrition literature often treats the different forms of vitamin A as equivalent, there are actually significant differences between the two. Retinol, which is also … [Read more...] about Food for Thought: Vitamin A
Food For Thought: What Does Organic Really Mean?
While many people understand that products bearing the marker of “organic” are healthier, the true meaning behind the term remains elusive to many. In order for a product to garner the label of organic, there are a number of federal guidelines that growers and processors must adhere to regarding soil quality, animal husbandry practices, and pest and weed control methods. Here’s … [Read more...] about Food For Thought: What Does Organic Really Mean?
High-Frequency Trading and the Power of Information
Simon Levine-Gottreich is a junior majoring in biological sciences with a minor in mathematical finance. He is currently working as a Writing Fellow for Organic Chemistry B, a pilot program bridging the Writing Program and the Department of Chemistry. While at USC, Simon also worked in biology and chemistry research labs and has worked as a … [Read more...] about High-Frequency Trading and the Power of Information
Food for Thought: Kimchi
Kimchi is a traditional Korean ferment that is a staple side dish in many Korean households. While there are countless variations on how kimchi is made (each region of Korea has its own version, and recipes vary from family to family), the common denominator amongst ingredients in most kimchi recipes is the inclusion of hot red peppers (either fresh or powdered), crushed … [Read more...] about Food for Thought: Kimchi
Food for Thought: Carob
Carob (also known as locust bean and St. John’s bread) is a legume from the pea family and a good plant to know about if there is ever any sort of crisis that threatens the food supply. You have likely seen the large, flattened, dark brown pods produced by carob trees littering the streets, as carob is ubiquitous in Los Angeles. In particular, Pasadena and its surrounding … [Read more...] about Food for Thought: Carob