M6.7: OBESOGENS

Article 1: Seasonal Foods: A New Menu for Public Health

The table below shows the seasonal fruits and vegetable in the Bay Area, Northern California. February and March vegetables such as asparagus, winter squash, and cabbage should be served in hospitals and sold in farmers markets at a cheaper price. They are healthy and locally grown. Dietitians and nutritionist of the local hospitals should be creative with seasonal fruit and vegetable and serve them to in-patients and in the cafeterias. I am sure patients will love to consume seasonal vegetables! By patronizing our local grown food, we are also supporting our local farmers.

I worked in a county hospital in Santa Clara. For many years now, I go to our cafeteria to get my dinner. They used to serve frozen and canned meals, but now, they serve cheaper meals with chicken, fish, and fresh vegetables. Seasonal fruits are nicely put in a basket at the cashier, so people in line can grab them easily.

Article 2: Obesogens: An Environmental Link to Obesity

I have not heard of obesogens before. I remember overhearing a conversation about medicine contents that cause obesity. The article is an eye opener because we, healthcare workers, always give emphasis on food and exercise for health. We have never known and discussed of chemicals in food and drugs compounds, such as obesogens, that may predispose anyone to obesity. Even the drug Avandia, which is now becomingly common for diabetes treatment, has a compound that can cause weight gain.

Monosodium Glutamate or MSG is a dietary obesogens. It is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats. It makes food tasty, increases your appetite, and leaving you feeling “not full” and craving more food. It is also an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins are a class of chemicals that overstimulate neuron receptors. Neuron receptors allow brain cells to communicate with each other, but when they’re exposed to excitotoxins, they fire impulses at such rapid rate that they become exhausted. (https://experiencelife.com/article/excitotoxins/). This is probably why I get headaches every time I eat Chinese food.