(Posted December 12, 2016)

Each year, biologist Debra Kirchhoff-Glazier, shown here at the liberal Arts Symposium with art historian Jennifer Streb, asks students in her nutrition class to present their research in a public forum
Juniata file photo
Each year, biologist Debra Kirchhoff-Glazier, shown here at the liberal Arts Symposium with art historian Jennifer Streb, asks students in her nutrition class to present their research in a public forum
Juniata file photo

Fifteen groups of students presented their nutrition research projects for Deb Kirchhof-Glazier, professor of biology, on Nov. 30. Presentations included the health benefits of resistant starch, the Paleolithic diet and multiple sclerosis, the MIND diet and Alzheimer's Disease and many more. Students got experience presenting as well as educating their fellow classmates about food as medicine. They provided tips for individuals with diabetes, MS, Alzheimer’s (or Type 3 diabetes), and to people in general.

In the U.S., that food culture is normally conducted in the most convenient ways possible, which happens to be processed foods. Although they are very convenient, they are leaving many things out of your diet that you need.

"You have to put emphasis on the food that you eat, because sometimes you cannot buy a pill for what you are missing in your diet" stated a group presenting. A good example of this was presented by Marissa Woodman, a junior from Foster City, Calif., Steven Guetzlaff,a senior from Schensksville Pa., Katerina Jonova, a senior from Chrastava, Czech Republic, and Lysha Foster, a sophomore from South Decatur Ga., in their talk entitled, "Psychobiotics, Gut Bacteria, and Mental illness." They stated that eating fermented food such as kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchi can improve our mental state.

The overall message of the presentations was that what you eat is very important and it has a direct effect on your health. Exercise (both physical and mental), and a healthy, well-balance diet are all ways to decrease health risks. Fermented and natural bacteria in foods (like yogurt) also play a key role in that diet and keeping your digestive tract healthy. In a Western diet, these two things have been left out more than others.

"You are what you eat," was a big theme of the night, because your health depends on what you are putting into your body. Often times we find ourselves eating for convenience, not for health and that is where many of the negative health effects begin.

The class also put together a few recipes to help students eat healthier and get the nutritional supplements they don't always think about. The recipes include: how to make homemade sauerkraut in a Mason jar, cauliflower mashed potatoes and Brussells sprout slaw with Asian dressing.

By Marlene Matula ’17, Juniata Online Journalist

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.