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| Tuesday, April 28, 2009 |
| Get Thin Quick |
Once upon a time we were taught that the tongue recognized exactly four tastes. The “tip of the tongue” was known for its’ ability to identify a “sweet taste. The sides” were responsible for appreciating “sour and salty,” and “the back of the tongue” recognized “bitter” tastes. The New York Times recently published an update and correction for all of us who try to remember “high school” science. Do you remember the famous “tongue map?” This was “the colorful illustration that neatly divided the human tongue into sections according to taste receptors.” I served my time in the late 1960’s, and I’d love to say I remember it well, but I just keep picturing the Rolling Stones iconic Hot Licks tongue, which didn’t even exist until a few years later. I remember all the lyrics and tunes from this era, but not a ‘lick’ of science.
We could continue to reminisce, but this science update really got me thinking, and I sense an amazing opportunity to ‘Get Thin Quick’. The big news from this update is that scientists have added a “new” taste to our tongues’ menu. They now know that there are “at least five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and the most recently discovered, umami.” This new flavor means “savory in Japanese, and can be detected in miso, soy sauce, and other Asian foods.” This is amazing! Our tongues are mimicking our technology. Tongues have been upgraded to perform with GPS-like efficiency to locate and appreciate flavors! When I first read this news, I had a sneaking suspicion that maybe the owners of these test-tongues had shared Chinese food right before their tastes were tested…but I decided someone would have checked for that before they made this huge announcement, wouldn’t they?
Other new studies suggest that some areas of our tongue may be more sensitive to certain flavors, and “there may be differences in the way men and women detect sour, salty and bitter flavors.” Is this really shocking news? Isn’t this why pregnant women have cravings men don’t understand? Once again, I’m worried and wondering if the tongue-test group was ‘randomly’ chosen from a Lamaze class.
My favorite new study “reported that receptors for the basic tastes are found in distinct cells, and that these cells are not localized but spread throughout the tongue.” I didn’t pay much attention in class, but I did often sneak a lifesaver; I knew then, and know now that cherry, lemon, or the dreaded coconut flavor tasted the same anywhere on the tongue. You can perform this test yourself, since you were once a teenager. Pretend to stare straight ahead while silently unwrapping and sneaking one lifesaver into your mouth without checking the color. Tests like this are being performed every day, with great finesse, by every teenager with a cell phone who silently sends and receives text messages in class without a flicker of emotion no matter how important the gossip is. Scientists like to use important sounding language, so they call this a “double blind and randomized" test. Scientists have never realized what perfect subjects high school students would be for these supposedly “double blind” studies because I think today’s scientists actually paid attention in class back then.
But let’s get back to the great news, and my ‘Get Thin Quick’ scheme. I sense an enormous opportunity for quick, permanent weight loss lies beneath the surface of this new discovery. The 5th taste receptor and the identification of “distinct cells” seems to offer a real version of the wacko promises from every commercial we secretly read, and hope is true. Consider this: if it is possible to locate a new taste cell in our tongue’s inventory, it must be possible to isolate these individual flavor receptors and remove them. This could be it! Without taste, there is no desire, without desire, we will eat less and Get Thin Quick!
To give this plan authenticity and the halo of science, we’ll start with a giant map of the head. We can get a great price on old Phrenology Charts.
This is the chart “scientists” used in the old days to ‘measure’ and ‘map’ the lumps and bumps on our skull and ‘read’ our future. They have tons of these maps hanging around because Phrenology was discredited in the beginning of the 20th century. The charts will look scientific and comfortably familiar. All we need to get started, besides a few charts, is a technician in a white coat. The start-up costs will be minimal. The patient will point out the sense of taste they wish to have neutralized, the ‘scientist’ will coordinate the area from the chart and announce the taste has been deleted. That’s it! We’re in business. No more cravings for chocolate, pizza or ice-cream. We won’t miss what we can’t taste! We’ll be the new weight loss dream team. We’ll have kiosks in every mall, and sell the home laser kits on T.V. Did I mention plans to franchise this?
Does it work? I don’t know, I don’t think it really matters. To get thin quick you just need a scheme. To lose weight and keep it off, you need a plan you can follow with healthy, balanced meals, designed with your favorite foods, in sensible portions. Sensei will motivate and guide you to develop a reasonable approach to exercise, a healthier approach to eating, and support as you need it. It’s a lifestyle, not a scheme. What have you got to loose?
- Nancy
Labels: Diet, food for thought, healthy tips, Nancy, Sensei, Weight Loss
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posted by My Sensei @ Tuesday, April 28, 2009   |
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| 1 Comments: |
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This is a very interesting study. Lord knows I do love my miso soup and sushi. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I will get sushi for lunch.
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This is a very interesting study. Lord knows I do love my miso soup and sushi. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I will get sushi for lunch.