INTERESTING TIMES

It's a free, online, educational event about how to interpret and act on your own genotypes.  There will be some fascinating lectures here, and some very basic ones.  I definitely want to hear the one about ketogenic diet.  You can sign up here.

EDIT: I did listen to one lecture per day, or at least part of each one.  Genetics and Epigenetics since it became a thing have been an interest of mine.  The programs were oriented at the general public, and I garnered no new information.  I was hoping that it would go a little deeper and nerdier for me.  Would be very useful for folks who are just getting introduced to the significance of modern science with regard to their genetic makeup and health.  Lots of correlates.  Very interesting.

The funny thing is that the clinicians all say the same thing, that your SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) for the most part won't do you harm if you keep your general level of physical health strong.  There's a lot of redundancy build into human genetics and systems.  If someone forgets to cross a T somewhere in your genetics, you'll probably be fine, long as you don't wear yourself to a frazzle, skip sleep, and consider trips to the refrigerator to be adequate exercise.

Bring carbs
Eat protein.

Dr Paul brings ribs from a restaurant.  He's in his 90's and doesn't mind spending his money on food for others.  He's a retired physician, orthopedic surgeon to be specific.  His sons are all in medicine too, some clinical and some research.  He gave me the Mayo clinic book on Alternative Medicine.  They basically have a stoplight rating system for all things alternative, and the majority of treatments get the yellow light based on the science that they found.  I appreciate it pretty much.  They don't damn naturopathic medicine, it gets yellow also.  There are good and bad parts.  I wish they'd do the same approach for conventional medicines.  People might be shocked how weak the evidence is for some of them.  The degree to which pharmaceutical businesses drive the FDA and the delivery of medicine is apalling.  I love it every time I read of another review that shows reasonable conventional doctors understand that some of the uses of pharmaceuticals are unsubstantiated and may do more harm than good.

In case you gluten-avoiders haven't got a load of this yet:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/422754/january-09-2013/thought-for-food---wheat-addictions

A study showed that engaged women want to lose on average 20 pounds to look great on the big day. A doc in Florida is offering the Ketogenic Enteral Diet (K-E diet) for ladies wishing to slim down before their nuptials. The diet lasts 10 days, costs $1.5K, and causes approximately a 10lb weight loss. The ketosis is monitored using ketostix which are widely available for diabetics. The dieting ladies are permitted nothing caloric by mouth. Great idea? Not so fast. It's not that hard to eat a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet without paying $1.5K and having a tube up your nose. Think about it.

SOURCE
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/fashion/weddings/Losing-Weight-in-Time-for-the-Wedding.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
http://www.medpagetoday.com/CelebrityDiagnosis/32229

People who drink diet sodas have 44% more heart attacks and strokes than those who don't. Pretty good sample size in this new study: N = 2564, 36% men, mean age 69 ± 10, 20% white, 23% black, 53% Hispanic. Done in Manhattan. They controlled for all the other stuff that (we know) influences CV events (age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, BMI, daily calories, consumption of protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium).

SOURCES
http://www.springerlink.com/content/b042807u865853t7/
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758833?src=mpnews&spon=34

In 2007-8 the mean daily intake of sodium was measured at 3266mg based on a N of 7227. We're supposed to limit it to 2300mg or less, barring health conditions like HTN which would suggest a limit more like 1500mg. Ten foods provided 44% of the salt: bread, cold cuts and cured meats, pizza, poultry, soups, sandwiches, cheese, pasta mixed dishes, meat mixed dishes, and savory snacks. Store-bought foods provided over 70% of the sodium consumed.

SOURCE
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758428?src=mpnews&spon=34

W wants to try sushi in spite of two bad experiences with food poisoning due to fish. Perhaps he does not know the can of worms he is cracking open. I can't get enough sushi once I get started. I'll introduce him gently tonight with a California roll or somesuch. =-]
( restaurants on the tour so far )

from Great Northern Pasta Co.