ENDOCRINE SYSTEM? WHAT IS THAT?

Endocrine system is not a term we are familiar with, in most cases. It is a collection of glands that regulate our body's important functions. These functions include growth, metabolism and sexual development, pretty important functions. The glands produce chemicals called hormones, which are directly released into the bloodstream. From there they travel to the organs they are targeted to work with. Each hormone's shape is specific to the target cell it affects, binding to hormone receptors on the cells.

The three classes of hormones, defined by their chemical structures are:

• Amino acid hormones, ie serotonin, adrenaline, and dopamine
• Peptide hormones, ie growth hormones, insulin, prolactin
• Steroid hormones, ie cortisol, testosterone, DHEA

Some fish in the great lakes and birds that eat these fish have been found to have problems caused by endocrine disrupters in their environment, as have some alligators in the Florida Everglades. Dr. David Brownstein believes our environmental surroundings may be affecting us humans, too. He believes over 60% of our population is currently suffering from some kind of thyroid problem. And he has no doubt one of the reasons we are seeing such an epidemic of thyroid problems is due to our toxic overload of various chemicals, including endocrine disrupters. Tomorrow we will do into some detail of what he believes these are.

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BRIOCHE BREAKFAST BURGERS

I don't usually post recipes on this blog as I have other blogs for that. However, I am making an exception for this recipe because this recipe is said to increase levels of dopamine by as much as 30%. That's why it is called a breakfast burger, to help those who need a dopamine boast to start their day.

1 tbsp olive oil

4 eggs

1/2 lb ground beef

1 onion, grated

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

4 slices cheddar cheese

4 Brioche burger buns, toasted

Assorted toppings

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet. Add eggs, cook, flipping once, until the whites are set and edges are crispy, around 2 minutes per side.

Heat grill to medium heat. In a bowl, combine beef, onion, salt and pepper; divide into 4 equal portions. Shape into patties and grill 5 to 6 minutes per side; top with cheese during the last couple of minutes.

To serve, place patties on buns, top with eggs and use whatever garnishes, toppings you desire ie lettuce, tomatoes.

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ARE YOU A JUNK FOOD ADDICT? PART II

 This is a continuation of yesterday's post regarding junk food addiction.

So, you wonder how food could be like cocaine?  Think about this:

Think about these foods (and many others), stuffed crust pizza, double-fudge ice cream, French fries, over-sized pastries, etc and what makes them so enjoyable - sugar, fat, etc. These ingredients stoke the brain's reward center the way whole, fresh foods in their natural state do not.  Ashley Gearhardt, a food addiction researcher and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, has said, "These foods are engineered for you to crave and eat compulsively. Compared to, say, a piece of fruit, the sugar in jelly beans is more pure and potent, and it hits your system faster because there's no fiber and other ingredients to slow it down." Gearhardt continued by saying, "When you punch up the reward and speed (it's absorption by the body), it becomes so powerful it hijacks the (brain's) reward system.

A key driver of the reward system is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is released in the brain when we experience something pleasurable such as food, sex, and drugs. Dopamine is a reward that makes the body want to do it again. But when the reward system gets pinged so repeatedly, it gets so overstimulated that it starts to automatically dial back the response. And thus begins the vicious cycle. When the body doesn't feel as big a reward, called tolerance, you consume greater amounts in search of the reward.

Be aware and don't allow your body to become addicted to junk food!

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TOMATOES ARE A HAPPINESS FOOD!

We all know tomatoes are good for us and are a food we definitely need as a part of our diets.  Here is a reason that might surprise you; tomatoes are a happiness food.  Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which helps maintain good mood by preventing the formation of inflammatory compounds that are associated with depression.  There are other mood enhancers in tomatoes, too, such as folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6.  The iron and vitamin B6 are both needed by the brain to produce important mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

So, eat your tomatoes and tomato products and be happy!

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COFFEE IS A BRAIN FOOD

Or should we say coffee is a happiness beverage?  However you look at it, coffee with caffeine causes an increase in dopamine, which is how it boosts confidence, focus, and mood.  No wonder some of us are unbearable until we get our morning shot of coffee!  And did you know that 1 cup of coffee has more antioxidants than a glass of grape juice or one serving of spinach?  Coffee also has 2 phytonutrients - norharman and harman - which function like a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors.  A few cups a day of coffee and people have a decreased risk of brain disorders such as depression and dementia.  Coffee has been shown to boost mental ability, focus, and mood.  So go ahead and enjoy a couple of cups (unless your doctor has told you otherwise!) but be wary of adding sugar and cream!  Learn to enjoy your coffee black!