El Viajero » Health

MSG is glutamate is umami is MSG

Jay — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:08:04 +0000

The New York Times has an article on the various form of glutamate that are added to food around the world. The one we know and love is known as the chemical monosodium glutamate (MSG) synthesized by Tokyo University’s Kikunae Ikeda in 1908 (yep, one hundred years ago). So go out and celebrate with a bag of nacho cheese flavored Doritos® today. As the author points out, those have FIVE different forms of glumate in every bag!

Does your brain need a bit of a boost?

Jay — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:14:59 +0000

Do you know Dr. Maoshing Ni? He is the author of several books on health and longevity and runs the Ask Dr. Mao site.

He has a list of tips on boosting your brain power on the yahoo site. Useful tips include doing some brain exercises like puzzles and memorizing items in a list; getting enough sleep (and grabbing a power nap) and exercise; eating the right foods; brewing your own herbs; and drinking green tea every day (I’ve got mine right here! )

I would add to the list the fermented foods like natto and miso. What do you do to keep your brain healthy?

The “Perfect Nap?” Wow!

Jay — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:17:37 +0000

I wrote some time ago that taking a nap might be the best way to get refreshed during the day. Now the folks at lifehack.org write about how to do it right.

It seems that you want to aim for the end of your REM stage to wake up, before the deep sleep kicks in. Apparently, if you get the timing right, you can get it down to as little 15 minutes to get the most benefit. Check out the post and try it for yourself.

Heart Compressions better than CPR?

Jay — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:02:36 +0000

Japanese health researchers have found that pumping the chest of someone who has had a heart attack is twice as effective in saving lives as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Read all about it at The LA Times. Perhaps it’s time to head out and get recertified for CPR (everyone has been certified at least once, right?) to stay on top of the proper techniques. It could save the life of someone you know.

Unhappy Meals & Nutritionism

Jay — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:49:08 +0000

This is probably the most readable and practical article on nutrition, or more accurately, nutritionism, that I have ever read. Reading it will require free registration, and waiting more than The New York Times’ limited reading time (it’s a week or two) will require a fee. Read it now, and enjoy your balanced meal without gorging yourself. Great job, Michael Pollan!