You are what you eat

Preserving Human Capital (Helen Money Nutrition)

You have to think of yourself as a chemical test tube – what you eat dictates how you perform

This presentation got me thinking about all the money invested in what company’s always claim to be their ‘most valuable asset‘ – their staff.

To think – it could be so easily enhanced by better nutrition.

I mention Nutrition here, as recently, whilst helping to write a book on Semiotics, I was introduced to an ex-teacher and now motivational speaker, who was enthusing about the benefits of proper breathing and exercise in helping children to concentrate.

That is when I first became properly aware of ATP. 

Here’s the science bit:

• Your brain’s energy, as well as the energy in the rest of your body, is made by energy powerhouses called mitochondria that are found in each cell.
• Oxygen enables mitochondria in your brain cells to pump out an energy chemical, adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Without adequate levels of ATP, your brain has an energy drain and its function decreases.

Background

On 21st April 2016, B4 hosted the 3rd Annual ‘Business in Oxford’ Event, at the Saïd Business School.

This is a summary from one of the 12-minute POD sessions that took place during the day.

3 key Nutritional takeaways

1. On the importance of nutrition:

“In a recent study, only 42 out of 149 women tested for sufficient iron in their blood…however all of these women outperformed in cognitive tests”

• That’s quite an impressive statistic – one I’d never heard of before.

2. Carbohydrates are essential for sustained energy release

•  The percentage required will vary according to lifestyle & activity levels – this could be anything from 30% for a sedentary person to 70% for a very active person.
• None the less, carbohydrate is the most efficient form of energy, and hence crucial in the production of ATP.

3. Other vitamins are required in conjunction with carbohydrate to release this energy properly

• Vitamin B, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc to name the main ones.