Uncovering the mysteries of the human body is one of my passions. I am fascinated by the science behind our miraculous, animated lumps of flesh and passionate about discovering what our true potential is...and where natural (and guided) evolution might take us. Because of this fascination (and my work as a writer), I do copious amounts of article aggregating on genetics/human genome studies, and the scientific advancements that stem from it. A topic of genetics that I often land on is the effect of food and diet on our genes (here is another one from today). Everyone knows the dangers of smoking a cigarette, of heavy drinking, but the population doesn't seem to want to take responsibility of what food they put in their mouths, and the lasting, devastating effects it could have on their health (with long term ramifications on the health industry and thus the economy).
In America, the rise of obesity is frightening to me. The CDC reports that ONLY ONE STATE (Colorado) has a population where less than 20% of its inhabitants are obese. What do we do when 50% of the population has diabetes and the plethora of complications (and medical bills) that come because of it? What happens when tomorrow's generation develops an untreatable disorder due to the amount of processed corn syrup we consumed these past few decades? I've seen the effects of severe diabetes an obese family member - it is not pretty, nor cheap. (I'm only talking in dollars as well as some people only respond to that). I don't think it's okay to consume 4000 calories of preservative filled, fat laden, horomone inflicted food a day and think you are not going to get sick. And what's worse? You are passing on a potentially damaged genome to future generations. But I also concede that it is difficult to change one's 'fast food' way of life as it's cheap and easy...and part of the American culture.
But something has to change (the role of government and big business in this whole mess is not something I am ready to tackle yet)....so bring on the future thinkers, the techno-pioneers. I found this video (above) on theoretically using ARG to inspire healthy weight loss- and the Body Shock the Future initiative that it is linked to- today on twitter thanks to @futureaware. I am thrilled that such research groups like the Institute For the Future exists and is taking a unique stand in combatting obesity. I applaud Jamie Oliver for his passionate Food Revolution and agree that food nutrition and education must take place through the school system, if not at home.
Wow- I did not mean to go on for so long. I'm not a doctor, I'm an actor and a writer, but this issue is really important. More education about our own bodies, the way they function, and what effect the things we put in them has, needs to be more widespread. The FDA is not God, it is a government agency. As I continue down the Operation BABE path to make my body as strong and healthy as it can possibly be, the words of my very healthy and fit mom ring true: you should eat to live, not live to eat.
