Walk With the Doc Saturday March 18th, 8:00 am Do Bacteria Make Us Smarter? Brain health is a concern at each stage of life. If blessed, we begin life with normal brain health. As we age, it becomes increasingly apparent that our general health affects our brain health. Depending on the demands of our life we discover sooner or later the importance of exercise and nutrition in maintaining the mind-body connection. In our later years, cognitive skills usually diminish gradually. In the case of vascular events like strokes, the decline can be rapid. Living longer brings with it concerns about the possibility of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Eating the typical American diet has been linked to a decline in brain health. The typical diet produces gut bacteria with less of the healthy bacteria (Bacteroidetes) and more of the unhealthy bacteria (Firmicutes). Because Firmicutes help extract calories from carbohydrates in food and uptake fats, they have been linked to weight gain. Bacteroidetes do not have the same capability, so when they predominate, there is a lower likelihood of weight gain, diabetes, and related health issues leading to premature mental decline. While there is much to learn about conditions like Alzheimer's, some experts now refer to Alzheimer’s as type 3 diabetes due to the strong correlation between elevated blood sugar and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In general, nerve and brain cells are highly susceptible to elevation in blood glucose. A significant concern is processed fructose – especially high-fructose corn syrup (a manufactured version of fructose.) The problem arises when our gut bacteria rapidly processes fructose into byproducts that disrupt the gut barrier and impairs insulin sensitivity. More problems result as the liver metabolizes fructose into abdominal fat which further increases insulin resistance. A careful reading of food nutrition labels and the list of contents is the best defense. The fructose in fresh whole fruits may not be a concern given its moderate glycemic index. However, fruit juices can be a problem – especially if they are processed to remove the pulp or have added sugars. There is more wisdom in the adage, “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” than you might expect. Learn more at “Granny Smith Apples Promote Healthy Gut Bacteria to Aid Weight Control.” The relationship between our body bacteria and our cells is one that evolves with our changing lifestyle. Whether these adaptations make us healthier or sicker depends on our choices. While invisible to us, the effect of bacteria that live on us and inside us is amazing (body bacteria outnumber body cells by 10 to 1.) The importance of our gut microbiome alone is nothing short of amazing. Consider a short list of health needs our gut bacteria handle: • Maintaining immune system functions • Controlling inflammation • Producing neurotransmitters and vitamins • Absorbing nutrients • Signaling of hunger/fullness • Eliminating toxins • Utilizing carbohydrates and fats Back to the original question, “Does Bacteria Make Us Smarter?” With the right diet, bacteria plays an important part! The vagus nerve is a direct connection which receives signals from bacteria in the gut and signals the brain to initiate processes. Together, the underlying processes and signals to the brain play an important role in determining if we develop dementia, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergies, anxiety, depression, infections or cancer. In short, maintaining healthy bacteria is essential to brain health. In fairness, brain health is dependent on a wide range of lifestyle choices. Other factors including genetics, infections and concussions are part of the story. A focus on diet, exercise and stress management is the right place to get started. As for exercise, Saturday mornings are getting warmer and with Spring approaching harder to resist. I look forward to having you join me for a walk in the park. Nancy Neighbors, MD Inspiring Ideas There are many things that can help us go the distance, but few are as inspiring as a TED Talk. Below are links to six TED Talk worth watching when you need a boost of inspiration. 1. Richard St. John, 8 Secrets of Success After a student asked him what leads to success, St. John conducted 500 interviews to find answers. In this entertaining talk, he shares what he learned. 2. Arianna Huffington, How to Succeed? Get More Sleep! We may live in a sleep deprived culture. Many even brag about how little sleep they get. However, getting enough sleep is essential to happiness, health and productivity. 3. Steven Berlin Johnson, Where Good Ideas Come From. Where does innovation thrive? In this talk, Johnson sorts out the things we get wrong in our thinking about ideas and problem solving. 4. Tim Brown, Tales of Creativity and Play What is the secret of regaining the playful creativity of childhood. In this talk, a CEO explores the many ways adulthood can shut down our creativity. 5. Malcolm Gladwell, The Unheard Story of David and Goliath. It's an ancient story that's familiar to most of us--the giant and well-equipped warrior Goliath is defeated by a young boy armed only with a sling and five stones. It's such a classic tale that it's come to be used as shorthand for any underdog's victory. But if we back up from our ‘what we think we know’ and pay attention to the details, the story may be telling us something very different. 6. Ernesto Sirolli, Want to Help Someone? Then Listen. Is the way we communicate the problem? The usual model, in which we hear about a problem and go to fix it, is often a wrong-minded approach. Often the better approach involves a new way of listening to those affected, and then use what you've learned to guide others in solving their own problems. Event’s at The Huntsville Madison County Public Library THE ABCDs OF MEDICARE, Downtown Huntsville Library, Monday, Mar. 20, 1 p.m. Mary Green walks you through the different Medicare Plans available and answers question in this monthly lunch and learn series. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch with you. SHAPING ALABAMA: THE EARLY YEARS, Downtown Huntsville Library, Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2 p. m. , Art historian David Robb will lead a program that includes detailed views of some recently identified early Alabama maps and will show how several unusual natural features, early Native American hunters, colonial aspirations, several meticulous surveyors, some eager land speculators, a few ambitious politicians, and a bit of international arm wrestling all contributed to the shaping of Alabama's distinctive borders. Presented by LearningQuest. Free and open to the public. COLOR TO CHILL, Eleanor E. Murphy Public Library, Tuesdays, Mar. 21 & 28, 5:30 p.m., Sitting down to color a picture can be as effective as meditation in reducing stress. Drop by the library during our adult coloring sessions to see for yourself. All supplies provided, or feel free to bring your own projects. For more information, call Annie Phillips at 256-881-5620 or e-mail aphillips@hmcpl.org. RESEARCHING WOMEN IN HISTORICAL RECORDS, Special Collections, Downtown Huntsville Library, Thursday, Mar. 23, 2 p.m., HMCPL Archivist Cassandra Thompson will present the challenges faced when researching women throughout history. Both from a general historical and a genealogical perspective, tracing women through historical records can be a hit or miss adventure, leading researchers to face their own uphill struggle to uncover these important female voices. DOWNTOWN WRITERS GROUP, Downtown Huntsville Library, Saturday, Mar. 25, 10 a.m. , Meet like-minded authors and share tips, tricks, ideas, and blockbusters. A brand new writers group for writers of all genres, this is your chance to be part of a new group and build it from the ground up to be what you need in a writers group. AUTHOR VISIT: DR. STEPHEN B. JONES, Madison Public Library, Sunday, Mar. 26, 2 p.m. , Dr. Stephen B. Jones, local resident and author of Nature Based Leadership: Lessons for Living, Learning, Serving, and Leading, will be visiting the Madison Library to discuss his new book. Steve created the emerging field of nature-based leadership (NBL), and founded the NBL Institute at Antioch University New England while serving as that institution's president. He has a bachelor's degree in forestry and a doctorate in natural resources management. Steve's ultimate intent is to "enhance lives and enterprise success, even as he sows the seeds for responsible earth stewardship." For more information, please call 256-461-0046 or email awood@hmcpl.org. Need Another Fun Walk? Looking for another opportunity to walk? On Saturday, March 25 from 9-11am the Madison County Medical Society will have their first Spring into Action Walk at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. The walk will start at the pavilion. Bring the entire family! If you have questions about this walk, please email madisoncountymedicalalliance@gmail.com. Let’s take a walk Date: Saturday, March 18th Location: Jones Family Park (see map) Time: 8:00 am (Meet in front of Yogurt Mountain) Yogurt Mt. is the last store at the end of Valley Bend Shopping Center). If cloudy, bring an umbrella, we walk come rain or shine. Click here for Dr. Neighbors’ 2017 news page |
