The Butler Did It (Part 2)

The last we heard, the butler was vindicated (The Butler Did It - Part 1). Although the butler (second messenger system) does deliver messages via kinases to the nucleus of the cell to affect genetic expression, the responsibility of what those messages will be lies with us. The food we eat, the physical activity we engage in, and even the thoughts we think... those choices are ours and ours alone. And those choices are what affect our health.

But, consider this: recent research has shown that cocaine-addicted rats, when offered sugar, will quickly change their addiction from cocaine to sugar! Now, we all know that cocaine is a highly addictive drug. And yet, when offered both cocaine and sugar, rats will choose sugar! Furthermore, when the sugar is removed, signs of withdrawal, such as teeth chattering, forepaw tremor and head shakes, are observed (1). Clear signs of addiction.

Now consider these research findings in association with the obesity epidemic that is plaguing this country. Certainly, the overconsumption of high-sugar diets is a contributing factor to obesity, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, and many other chronic diseases. Given that intense sweetness not only has the ability to surpass the cocaine reward but also has the "potential to override self-control mechanisms and thus lead to addiction" (2), can we really be held responsible for our choices or are we back to blaming the butler?

Sugar addiction and sugar cravings are very real and can be difficult to overcome. The neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play a key role in this addiction. Nutritionally supporting brain levels of these neurotransmitters may be required in order to kick the sugar habit.

Incidentally, enlisting the aid of the butler in this endeavor will be important.


References:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/

2. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0000698

3. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rootie.com/home/photos/products/butler-big.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rootie.com/home/advanced.html&h=600&w=600&sz=47&tbnid=ymTy41smjjfslM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbutler%2Bimages&hl=en&usg=__wvsoumpjrtcbupeup-mGqD6fcQM=&ei=v7yuS8XVEoH6Nfyv-eMP&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=7&ct=image&ved=0CCAQ9QEwBg

The Butler Did It (Part 1)

We've all heard that old saying, "you are what you eat!" But, although I did have a patient say that if she were to be a pasta noodle she would be tortellini, you don't often see noodles walking down the street. So, let's find out just how food translates to our overall health.

A kinase is an enzyme that translates dietary signals into messages that influence our health. There are over 500 kinases that are responsible for transmitting these messages from the outside of our cells to the inside of our cells. Once inside the cell, the message is delivered to the nucleus where gene expression is modified. That could be good. That could be bad. Depending on what you just ate.

Here's an example of how it works: Food is eaten, digested, and absorbed into the bloodstream. The absorption of glucose stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas. The insulin binds to a receptor on the surface of the cell and activates a second messenger system inside the cell. The second messenger, or what I like to refer to as the butler, "announces" the arrival of insulin and then sends a message to the glucose transport channels, telling them to allow glucose to enter the cell. Once inside the cell, the glucose is used to produce energy.

Well, the butler also sends messages to the nucleus of the cell, which affects the expression of our genes. And here's where we can get into trouble. Depending on the lifestyle and dietary messages we are sending, the butler activates various kinases, which translate the dietary messages to the nucleus. The nucleus, then, influences the genetic expression of health... or disease. So, if the dietary signal is coming from a high sugar, high fat diet, the message to the nucleus from the kinase is to express the gene for, say, Type II Diabetes.

It is possible to bring kinase signaling back into a healthy balance with a healthy diet and the use of nutrients called "selective kinase response modulators." These nutrients help to restore healthy signaling to genes and to positively affect genetic expression.

Blaming the butler is rather like shooting the messenger. Research now tells us that we are able to send positive dietary messages to our cells to positively affect genetic expression. In other words, we do not have to be a victim of our genes... and the butler can be let off the hook.

I will conclude by saying that pasta may not send the healthiest message to my cells, but if I had to choose what pasta I would be, I'd have to go with fusilli. But that's a whole other story.