One Decision, Lasting Impact

I love behind-the-scenes shows: how do things work? That probably explains why I like to dig into health studies the way I do. My latest fascination is with a show on the National Geographic channel called Disaster Autopsy. Several scientists examine man-made disasters to find out what went wrong. Most of the time, it comes from a single decision or single event that was unforeseen but made a lasting impact. The disaster didn’t happen right away; in some cases, it was decades later.

Does this apply to our body as well? You may think I’m talking about a single decision you made related to health—one decision made years earlier, that could seal your fate. Health is not quite that simple with multiple variables that interact. Still, after reading the Memo of the lifestyle factors that influence a healthy brain, have you made any changes?

The science of health can do the same thing: have an impact that lasts. The next three Memos are related to the choices that researchers can make by looking at the data in depth instead of superficially; they can impact health recommendations for decades. At the same time, we’ll find out the benefits of a phytonutrient called quercetin.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet