Eat Your Liver

I am not a fan of liver. My childhood memories of being served (i.e. forced to eat) liver are not good ones. And I think my sister is still traumatized by the experience.

But the headline of a recent AARP bulletin says “Boost your B-12 for Brain Health” and liver is especially high in B12.

The article said that “Not getting enough of this important vitamin could lead to memory problems as you age. Publishing in the American Academy of Neurology, scientists noted that in a study of people 65 and older, not only did those with a B12 deficiency scored lower on memory and cognitive tests, but brain scans showed they had a smaller total brain volume.”

Here’s a link: http://blog.aarp.org/2011/09/27/the-takeaway-boost-your-b-12-for-brain-health-alternatives-to-knee-replacement-surgery/

John

PS – This is the only appetizing picture of liver that I could find.

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_10981097_veal-liver-with-apples-and-greens-isolated-on-white.html'>aikidoki / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

B12 or Be Forgetful

According to an AARP article, new study links vitamin B12 deficiency to brain shrinkage and memory problems in older adults.

Brain shrinkage? That can’t be good. I need all the brainpower I can get.

Christine C. Tangney, PhD, associate professor in the department of clinical nutrition at Rush University Medical Center, was the lead author of the study. .According to the AARP, the study “…found those who had the markers linked to vitamin B12 deficiency were more likely to have the smallest brains and the lowest scores on tests measuring short-term memory, concentration and other thinking processes.”

Foods rich in B-12 include fish, meat, especially liver, milk, eggs and poultry are usual sources of vitamin B12.

Yes, you read that right: liver and onions. I guess my Mom was right when she made us eat liver and onions as kids.

Here’s a link to the Rush University Medical Center press release: http://www.rush.edu/webapps/MEDREL/servlet/NewsRelease?id=1531

And here’s a synopsis of the research from AARP: http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-10-2011/b12-level-affects-brain-size-health-discovery.html

And, as an added bonus, should you be inspired by this mouth-watering picture, here’s a link to Emeril Lagasse recipe for Calf's Liver with Bacon, Caramelized Onions and Sherry (shown above): http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/calfs-liver-with-bacon-caramelized-onions-and-sherry-recipe/index.html  

PS – No, I didn’t think about the Beetlejuice movie scene in which his head gets shrunk.