UNITED STATES—In “30 Pounds in 30 Days,” a series I wrote last year in the Canyon News, there appeared the following which seems specially relevant as we enter a season of being lured by laden platters and libations: “Now here’s a simple trick: when you find yourself plotting a trip to the donut shop and thinking about the smell of fresh-ground coffee, even though you just had some—there’s a kind of train, that just keeps you going down the sugar-caffeine-carb track—switch rails, go eat an orange or a persimmon (this is the season) and it will cleanse your palate as well as turn your appetites and desires around.”
Both relevant and even prophetic, for science now props up my homespun notions. Indeed, new research from USC reveals that when people gobble a donut after inhaling a slice of pepperoni it is not due to lack of control; rather the brain has been “hijacked” by our Western eating style. I call it a train; Professor Scott Kanoski calls it “the vicious cycle of Our Western Diet.”
In a recent paper biological sciences professor Kanoski describes how habitual consumption of saturated fats and refined carbs (i.e. sugar) hinders the functioning of the hippocampus. No, the hippocampus isn’t where the famed African mammal goes to college. The hippocampus is a seahorse shaped part of the brain traditionally associated with learning and memory.
Kanoski’s research shows that the seahorse controls eating behavior (how much and when) through detection of circulating hormonal signals secreted in the body. The hormones signal hunger and satiety. One hormone pinpointed, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) which acts in the hippocampus to limit food intake and inhibits motivation to eat unhealthy, but delicious food. (Reminds me of how Les Brown keeps himself on the wagon after open heart and shucking good ‘ol greasy comfort food: “Nothing tastes as good as I feel!” he reminds himself when tempted).
However, once the hippocampus, that seahorse shaped part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, is altered by large intakes of food high in saturated fat and sugar (i.e. donuts and pizza), it blunts the hippcampus’s sensitivity and responsiveness to hormonal signals.
Then people tend to leave their brain behind and turn to external cues to determine what, how much and when to eat. This will include smells, gaudy signage for food and being with friends who are prone to say, when offered less than optimal food, “Don’t mind if I do.”
As a visit on the internet will attest, after being considered “bad” by the medical establishment for half a century, the jury is out again on foods high in saturated fat. In the meantime you see the blissful, if premature, embrace of bacon and butter as people gleefully avenge the authorities who said no all those years, and they are also following a sincere urge toward health, through much remains to be corroborated.
The next important step in Kanoski’s research is to determine which foods exactly—fats, sugars or both—are impairing the hippocampus. Further research will consider how early in life this cycle begins, and whether or not changing eating habits can reverse this cycle. As reported in USC’s “Dornsife Magazine,” Kanoski hopes his research will help influence restaurants and companies to change their ingredients and improve people’s eating habits.
Instead of waiting for his research, it is in our hands to do something now, firm in the belief that the body is endlessly resilient and now is the time to lighten up and wise up in our food choices. As we enter the Holidaze, remember to hop off the sugar and carb track—switch rails, go eat a tart orange, a crispy apple or a sweet fleshy persimmon and it will cleanse your palate and free you from the monopoly of traditional holiday goodies. Clear fresh water is always a great default beverage. Also, segue out from feasts and indulgences with fruits and vegetables. Nuts are good too, as a healthy filling alternative. And remember, to feast is always OK , especially when followed by dancing…!
To be continued…
Humorist Grady Miller is the author of “Lighten Up Now: The Grady Diet” (available on Amazon). Grady can be reached at grady.miller@canyon-news.com.
By Grady Miller
