Proverbs from Persia (Iran)

Aa a girl I was fascinated by stories about ‘Persia’ (now known as Iran). Cyrus the Great [c. 600 - c. 530 BC] reportedly was the son of a Persian father and a Median mother. Eventually, Cyrus combined Media and Persia into the Medo-Persian Empire, even conquering Babylon. 

Here are a few 'Persian' Proverbs.

Do well the little things now; so shall great things come to you by and by asking to be done

The best memory is that which forgets nothing but injuries—write kindness in marble and write injuries in the dust

Whatever is in the heart will rise up to the tongue

You cannot polish a turd

One pound of learning requires ten pounds of common sense to apply it

All go down to their death bearing in their hands only that which they have given away

Virome, 3

Viruses can kill the organism they invade; eventually disappear because the body kills the virus, or there are so few new organisms to infect that the virus tends to disappear; or the virus and its host organisms learn to co-exist. They are not all bad! Viruses are able to help spread beneficial bacterial mutations quickly throughout the microbiome and beyond. A 2013 study of the human gut virome tracked the identities, abundance, and mutations of native viruses in one person over 2.5 years. There were 478 relatively abundant viruses, most of which had not been previously identified. A majority of the viruses were bacteriophage, the type that infects bacteria. Eighty percent of the viruses persisted for the entire 2.5 years, but they all mutated: some slowly, some quickly, and some so fast that the virus would be deemed a new species within the 2.5 years. Talk about a miniature micro-star wars . . . More tomorrow.

Your Virome, 2

When viruses enter your body through eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin, they can enter your cells, reproduce, and release millions of copies of itself. These, then, proceed to take over other cells. Sometimes viral DNA simply embeds itself in your own human DNA, where it can lie dormant or sometimes come back to life when you least want it, as occurs with recurring cold sores, shingles from a long-past chicken pox, and even some cancers, especially if your immune system is weakened. This is what can happen with Kaposi's sarcoma in immunodeficient patients infected with HIV. Sometimes, a viral code can end up in the DNA in your sperm or eggs, which then gets passed on to future generations. Viruses are champions of DNA mutation, able to carry, exchange, and modify the DNA between cells or from one species to another as when they infect bacteria. More tomorrow.

Your Virome

During this COVID-19 pandemic, I keep hearing about “Virome.” I cannot find an easy-to-understand explanation, however. Thanks.

The human virome is essentially your fourth genome. It interacts directly and indirectly with your other three: Genome, Epigenome, and Microbiome. Your virome involves the trillions of viruses that are believed to far outnumber both the cells and the microbes within your body. According to authors Enriques and Gullans, there are an estimated 10 billion bacteria in a liter of seawater, there are also 100 billion viruses playing with them. Even more may live inside the soil and dirt that cover your hands. Viruses, and there are at least ten times more of them inside you at any given time than there are bacteria, live in your intestines, mouths, lungs, skin, and blood, continuously shuttling in and out of your body. Sneeze once, uncovered, and 40,000 droplets, each containing up to 200 million individual viruses, can fly across the room at speeds (some day) at 100 miles per hour. Some have estimated at twice that rate, depending on the force of the sneeze. More tomorrow.

Memorial Day 2020

Traditionally, Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day), originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, barbequing, and participating  in or watching parades. At least that has been the way it was celebrated. Not this year, at least for those who follow the recommended guidelines for social distancing, masks when outside, and limiting trips to essential travel. I, for one, remember the sacrifices made in many wars. This year, I honor and give thanks for the "front-line workers" that are doing the best they can with the knowledge and treatment modalities that are available regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, to save lives. John Donne. You likely know that name. He wrote that no one is as island but that each is connected, part of the continent (paraphrased).  More than ever before, many are realizing the truth of that statement. Be safe. Be well. Be grateful. 

More Ancient Proverbs

Italian: Everyone thinks he has more than his share of brains.

Everyone gives himself credit for more brains than he has, and less money.

All the brains are not in one head.

Half a brain is enough for him who says little

The world is governed with little brains.

Some many heads, so many brains.

Norwegian: Ask for advice, and then use your brain.

American: We need brain more than belly food.

Brain is worth more than brawn.

Where there are no brains, there is no feeling.

The fewer the brains, the bigger the hat.

You can borrow brains, but you can’t borrow character.

Dutch: A handful of patience is worth a bushel of brains

Nutrigenomics, 3

As the Human Genome Project (HGP) began winding down, scientists started questioning if the interaction between genes and food bioactive compounds could positively or negatively influence an individual's health. In order to assess this interaction between genes and nutrients, the term “Nutrigenomics” was created. Hence, Nutrigenomics corresponds to the use of biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics to seek out and explain the existing reciprocal interactions between genes and nutrients at a molecular level. The discovery of these interactions (gene-nutrient) will aid the prescription of customized diets according to each individual's genotype. Thus, it will be possible to mitigate the symptoms of existing diseases or to prevent future illnesses, especially in the area of Nontransmissible Chronic Diseases (NTCDs), which are currently considered an important world public health problem. You can get a jump-start on this new science—if you are not already doing so—by embracing a Longevity Lifestyle.  It matters! (www.LongevityLifestylematters.com)