My review of Lunch with Leo

I attended Lunch with Leo today- the topic was "Are you what you eat or what your genes condemn you to?" Dr. David York and Dr. Michael Lefevre from the Center for Advanced Nutrition at Utah State University were the co-presenters on this topic.

First, can I just say that this was the FIRST business luncheon I have ever been to in my 4-ish years working in the downtown business scene where the meal was overall amazingly healthy and delicious? I had cracked wheat (if any of you have ever had that for breakfast, you'll know what I'm talking about) with dried cranberries and celery, a roasted and spiced chicken thigh with sun dried tomatoes and olives, and a mixed green salad with goat cheese and blueberries. WOW. Awesome. The meal was designed by a dietician, too (added bonus).

What was really interesting (for me) about this presentation was learning more about USTAR. USTAR (Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative) is the partner sponsor with The Leonardo for the Lunch with Leo program. Taken from USTAR materials, "USTAR is a state funded organization whose goal is to strengthen Utah's "knowledge economy," creating high paying jobs and new businesses. It invests in world-class innovation teams and facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University, then commercializes the technologies through new business ventures."

USTAR has various Innovation areas- Biomedical Innovation, Brian Medicine, Nanotechnology, Energy, Digital Media, and Imaging Technology. There are further, more specific "focus sections" within those innovation areas. The presentation today stemmed from USTAR's Biomedical Innovation area, in the Advanced Nutrition focus section. Both David York and Michael Lefevre (the presenters) were recruited by USTAR to come to Utah State University to further USTAR's goals and research there.

David was the former Chief of Basic Science Research for the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, and Michael was a former researcher from the same institution. Michael helped establish the Dairy Institute at Pennington to examine the interaction between diet and genetics. Over the course of their careers, both professionals have received over $15 million (each) in funding for their research.

David and Michael's presentation gave insight into their USTAR research (which, to learn more, click here), and covered topics regarding your genes/environment/activity level and your diet. They talked about how two people (same gender, race, activity level, weight, height, etc.) might eat the same healthy diet that is designed to lower your cholesterol and improve other related health measurements, and one person may experience a greater amount of health improvement (by losing more weight, lowering their cholesterol more, etc.) then the other person; all because of their genetic makeup. To me, this makes sense- what works for one person to lose weight doesn't necessarily work for another person. The presenters were not absolutely sure why this happens (or how to solve the problem), but it is a subject of research.

David and Michael also talked about how a mother eats during pregnancy can effect a child's disposition for diabetes and other diseases throughout their life. I've heard about alochol's effect on a baby, and folate deficiency and what that can do to a baby's development; but I've never really thought about the overall level of nutrition of the mother's diet and how it effects the baby's ability to get certain diseases later (or early) in its life.

Another interesting thing I learned was that the pleasure we get from eating good food and exercising comes from the same area in the brain that fires up cocaine addicts when they use their drugs. The presenters mentioned that what can make someone addicted to eating or addicted to exercising is the same physiological reason why someone gets addicted to drugs. That person wants that good feeling- it's kind of how someone feels really "off" or cranky when they don't get their treat or workout in for the day; which I think all of us have felt before.

What's kind of concerning right now with the economy being rotten is that amazing organizations like The Leonardo (which hosted Body World) and USTAR are non-profits. According to KSL.com on Feb. 11, The Leonardo just received a $10.2 million bond, which will help the institution renovate and re-open in July 2010. But The Leonardo must raise $3.5 million in 16 months and $1.5 million each year for expenses. I read in the paper today (Deseret News or Salt Lake Tribune) that USTAR's budget is being slashed, which has already hindered some potential recruits (in USTAR's innovation areas) from coming to work in Utah. After coming to an event like this, it's sad to see how the economy is effecting institutions that can have such a lasting impact on our community. I hope they will be able to continue their work here, and that they will continue to do educational events like this in the future.