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Community Corner

Timology - SAY NO TO "FAT"

The older I get the more amazed I am at modern research. A few days ago I was listening to a lecture by Dr. Michael Greger. He was discussing the effect that dietary fat has on the brain. His research has shown that because of fat's caloric density, it blunts the effect of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that helps send signals to the brain. Those signals are associated with pleasure or euphoria. When dopamine is blunted, it becomes less sensitive, which means you would need more fat to become satisfied. This is similar to the effects of drug and alcohol addictions. So what he is saying is that if you consume large amounts of fatty foods, your brain becomes less sensitive to their calories and you eat more. 

What bothers me is that sugar has been known to have same effect on the brain. Is it any wonder how we as a population have gotten fatter? However, fortunately for us there is a simple way to control this behavior. Consume foods low in calories such as vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and manage your fat intake. My simple and most helpful advice is to put the fork down!

Remember the dream....

Eat Well, Train Hard,

Tim Flournoy
Co-Fitness Director
THE GYM of Montvale 
2 Chestnut Ridge Road
Montvale, NJ 07645 
Phone: 201-802-9399 
tflournoy@gettothegym.com
GetToTheGym.com/Montvale

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