Happy Thanksgiving

November 18, 2012

Leaving the history to the historians … as for the science one myth comes to mind, that the turkey is often cited as the culprit in after dinner lethargy. The truth however,  is that you could omit the bird altogether and still feel the effects of the feast.

On the one hand, turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect. L-tryptophan is used in the body to produce the B-vitamin, niacin. Tryptophan can also be metabolized into serotonin and melatonin; neurotransmitters that exert a calming effect and help to regulate sleep. On the other hand however, L-tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach and without any other amino acids or protein in order to make you drowsy. There’s lots of protein in a serving of turkey and the fact of the matter is there are a variety of other foods that also contain the same amino acid which can cause that post Thanksgiving feast lethargy … myth busted!

No matter what, Thanksgiving for me is about giving THANKS!  We are all so lucky.  I mean ‘look’; you have your sight to be thankful for.  For me; Love, health, two working opposable thumbs, free from disease or illness. I have more to be thankful for than pages of this article could endure.  Eat to your hearts content … and be thankful for all you have.  Afterwards, rest … you deserve relaxation and a good football game.  When the holiday has pasted us by, take a good hard look at your health and fitness.  If you’re happy, I’m happy.  If there happens to be room for improvement …. let’s tackle that project together.

 In good health and Thanksgiving

Bob

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.  –Erma Bombeck