BODY CELLS BUSY ON THEIR CELL PHONES

Bob McDonald had another great science program on CBC Saturday at 12:00 noon on Quirks & Quarks radio program, right after the news. One of the most interesting items explained how the brain directs information on fats. The most exciting part is about the OEA molecule in the upper digestive area and how it gets the information transferred quickly to the brain and directs which kinds of fats are harmful. How do they do that? It is through their cell phones. The best part is that if you listen and are willing to act and change eating habits, your memory will improve. A good thing to know too since Alzheimers disease can mix up the brain in the senior years. The nerve fibers zip the messages to the brain's amygdala to warn you. A negative message will mean one should cut down on the heavy fats that are found in pork and beef. If a person has already developed a taste for heavy fats through too much fast food, and other processed foods then it is time to make this change and eat more vegetables and fruits. How often parents can say to their children "I've told you a thousand times not to do . . . . " and likewise the brain also may get tired of being ignored as you reach for more processed foods, and obesity take over the body.

Bob McDonald also told about the ancient mercury mines in South America. Their graves revealed that the mine workers died of mercury poisoning and no bones were preserved. The mercury, used in costume decoration was so caustic that just a pool of mercury remained.

The third topic of special interest was "How the Bees' Knees get a Grip." By tuning into CBC Quirks & Quarks radio program, these subjects are more fully covered and comes as a podcast as well. The program is repeated the following Tuesday evening at ll:00 pm CBC radio.