This morning I took a bit of time off to go through a few of my piled-up Science Daily newsletters, and, after reading about the extraordinary discovery of a 700-year-old Mexican mummy suffering, when alive of course (an alive mummy…), from a Helicobacter pylori infection (remember my MGUS and H. pylori post?), I came across a study (see the Science Daily July 11th issue: http://tinyurl.com/5qjf2f) on the importance of omega 3 and brain functioning: “Food is like a pharmaceutical compound that affects the brain,” said Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, a UCLA professor of neurosurgery and physiological science who has spent years studying the effects of food, exercise and sleep on the brain.
Omega 3 fatty acids can not only improve learning and memory, they can also combat brain disorders ranging from depression to dementia. Another excellent reason to take ‘em! And, if our diet doesn’t have enough of these fatty acids, we are in for trouble (oh bother, I wish I had eaten more fish in the past!).
The following excerpt reminded me of the post I wrote on Prof. Gang and curcumin, basil and ginger (July 16th post): Getting omega-3 fatty acids from food rather than from capsule supplements can be more beneficial, providing additional nutrients, Gómez-Pinilla said. Food, not capsules, eh?…hmmm, I predict more fish in my future…but I will also continue to take my purified fish oil capsules.
And read this: Recent research also supports the hypothesis that health can be passed down through generations, and a number of innovative studies point to the possibility that the effects of diet on mental health can be transmitted across generations, Gómez-Pinilla said. Wowie.
So the saying “you are what you eat” should perhaps be modified to the rather more alarming “your grandchildren are what you eat.” Since Stefano and I don’t have children, that modified saying doesn’t worry me too much, but still…diet and DNA…who would have thought?!!!
Okay, that’s it! Before preparing my classes for tomorrow, I am going to snack on some salmon and blueberries. Then it will be time for my curcumin and some spinach washed down with orange juice (for the folic acid), a bit of exercise and, finally, a nap…okay, I confess…I am joshing a bit, but, seriously now!, all of these items are mentioned in the article, so please have a look. There is lots to be learned here. Interesting…