Cycads, athletic head injuries, and ALS

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the potential health risks associated with consuming cycads and their connection to athletic head injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The participant, an athlete with a history of head injuries, expresses concern about dietary choices, particularly regarding the consumption of brown rice and meat from regions where cycads are prevalent. The conversation highlights the importance of avoiding neurotoxins, such as solanine, which can be found in diseased potatoes, and emphasizes the need for careful dietary considerations among athletes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cycads and their toxic properties
  • Knowledge of neurotoxins, specifically solanine
  • Familiarity with the health implications of head injuries
  • Basic principles of nutrition and dietary choices for athletes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of cycads on neurological health
  • Learn about the relationship between head injuries and ALS
  • Investigate dietary guidelines for athletes with a history of head trauma
  • Explore the risks associated with consuming neurotoxic plants
USEFUL FOR

Athletes, nutritionists, healthcare professionals, and anyone concerned about the impact of diet on neurological health and the risks associated with head injuries.

mugaliens
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I recently ran across a couple of comments to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100817/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_head_injuries_als"

As an athlete who's had several head injuries over the years, but one who has never eaten cycads (that I know of), what might I expect? What should I do? Avoid brown rice? Continue to exercise my body and brain, eat right, stay healthy? Avoid meat from those areas (which I might add includes some of the S.A. meat eaten here in the US...)?
 
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I'd probably worry more about solanine if you're worried about neurotoxin ingestion from food, although even that isn't usually found in a very high concentration in anything unless you're eating diseased potatoes.

There are schools of nutritional practitioners that won't eat plants requiring processing for this basic reason. An animal's defense against predation is to run or fight. Plants can't do that, so they tend to develop means of harming whatever eats them.
 

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