Gain Weight, Lose Brain Cells

Well, heck, as if getting wrinkles wasn't bad enough, turns out that if you gain weight after menopause, you lose gray matter--that's brain cells. Now, either that explains any and all of my mental problems OOORRRRR, it goes to show how much more remarkably intelligent I will be when I lose weight! Hum.

Here is the excerpt. For more information, visit Dr. Daniel Amens' website. He is a remarkable doctor, if you haven't discovered him yet, now is the time! www.brainplace.com

Gain Weight, Lose Gray Matter


As if we needed more proof that gaining weight is bad for our health. Now there’s evidence showing that an increase in weight can decrease the size of your brain.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, used brain imaging to examine the effects of increases in body mass index (BMI) on 48 otherwise healthy postmenopausal women. They found that women whose BMI went up following menopause were more likely to have a reduction in gray matter volume.

When it comes to the brain, size matters. A smaller brain means reduced brain function, which can affect every aspect of your life — your relationships, your career, and your mood.

For women going through menopause, it’s especially important to eat a brain-healthy diet to prevent those extra pounds.

I just found out that eating too much sugar will give you wrinkles. Well, now you tell me, after I have been having a serious love affair with everything sugar and white, for the past five years. Check the above link and confirm this for yourself. No wonder I have aged so fast!! Damn. I am pissed. Sugar has been my drug of choice for these so many years on purpose. I figured sugar is better than alcohol. Better than a psych hospital. Damn. Now I have to give it up. You have no idea how unhappy I am.

What this article says is that sugar in the body undergoes glycation, a process much like browning meat in a pan. YUCKOLA!

Here is the quote:

Sugar triggers a natural process called glycation, which is the same chemical reaction that turns meat brown when you cook it. The sugars bind with tissues to form harmful molecules, called advanced glycation end products (ironically known as AGEs), which damage elastin and collagen -- two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic. AGEs also damage the kidneys, brain and other essential organs.

Tell me, what other habit can I develop instead of sugar and high carbs to be my drug of choice? Exercise. Pahleeze. I can exercise alright. But it's not quick and easy. Not like grabbing a bag of chips or oreos! I may write a health blog, but I like my vices. Darn. Now, I gotta change. We'll see if I actually do it! Smile!