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Oct 12th

10/12/2013

 
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Sniffing a teaspoon of PEANUT BUTTER can help detect the early stages of Alzheimer's. University of Florida researchers used the sandwich spread in a sniff test to determine patients’ loss of smell in one nostril compared to the other.

Those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease lose their sense of smell in the left nostril more quickly than in the right and peanut butter is the perfect substance with which to detect the problem. That’s thanks to its status as a ‘pure odorant,’ meaning its smell is detected exclusively by our olfactory nerve. Most smells are also detected with our trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face. But it’s the olfactory nerve that’s important in Alzheimer’s research. Degradation in the olfactory center of the brain is one of the first signs of the disease.


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A researcher at UF McKnight Brain Institute Center for Smell and Taste conducted the experiment by holding a ruler to the noses of patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and gradually moving the peanut butter closer. On average, patients could smell the peanut butter at about 20 centimeters from their right nostril versus 10 centimeters from their left.

The findings could translate into a fast and easy way to detect the initial stages of Alzheimer’s, so that it can be slowed with drugs as early as possible. Read more here.

Although the peanut has a long history, having been found in Peruvian mummy tombs, peanut butter is a relatively young food. In 1890, an enterprising physician, Dr. John Kellogg (of corn flakes fame), created peanut butter as a healthy protein substitute that was easy to digest for patients with no teeth.

 Many people dispute the spread's overall healthy effect, although peanut butter contains many beneficial nutrients. One of the main drawbacks is that some of it enters into the bloodstream. The more disturbing news is that some people find peanut butter addictive.

When I was young and physically fit, I indulged in an occasional peanut butter and banana sandwich. Maybe I'd even add honey. I rarely eat the spread nowadays, although sometimes I slip a teaspoon into a bowl of plain Greek-style yogurt and banana for lunch. I guess I haven't lost the memory of a past pleasure.

I think I'll try the sniffing test. How about you?


Raspal link
10/11/2013 09:58:36 pm

Hi Francene,

I don't know if peanut butter would be easily available here. I haven't had it but had read a lot about it online. I wouldn't try the sniff test though. :)

Coming from today's UBC chain.

Francene Stanley link
10/11/2013 11:02:25 pm

I guess it would be hard to try the sniff test if you couldn't buy some. ;-)

Amy link
10/11/2013 10:52:28 pm

Francene,
I wonder if this works . .. another fascinating topic, Francene, and a fascinating post about it! Our bodies are really full of secrets, aren't they?

Francene Stanley link
10/11/2013 11:03:45 pm

We just need to discover how the body works. So much is left to explore, inside the body, inside the mind and inside the earth.

Alana link
10/12/2013 08:21:20 am

I will try this - if I have any peanut butter in the house. Fascinating!

Francene Stanley link
10/12/2013 07:40:35 pm

Join the club, Alana. The Peanut Butter Sniffers.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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