by BJ Armstrong

With the holidays coming up and considering all the good food to eat, I debated about writing this article about "diminished taste and smell." But here goes anyway.

More than two million Americans have some disorder of taste and smell perception. They pay over 200,000 medical visits every year to have their impaired sense of taste treated. Countless others probably don't bother to complain.. they just add salt to everything they eat. Now, according to the experts, this is mostly the elderly, but younger people take a listen, taste and smell gradually begin to decline after age thirty.

Just thinking of that turkey and dressing, ham, sweet potato and pumpkin pies, and all the trimmings make my taste buds go to work. Flavor is what makes eating and drinking such a pleasure. It's defined as the interaction of aroma, taste, texture, appearance, temperature, and "spiciness."

Taste and smell work together to maximize our appreciation of food, and nothing tastes quite the same if any one of them breaks down. If your sense of smell is impaired, your enjoyment of food is diminished. In fact, an intact "smelling sense" accounts for 75% of the flavor you perceive. If you wish to test this theory, try holding your nose and closing your eyes. Have someone put something (food) in your mouth. Chances are you won't be able to tell what it

is.

As we get older, taste becomes less acute for several reasons. Because we produce less saliva, the food is not transported as efficiently to the taste buds. There are many causes of the loss of taste and smell such as:

Viral infections such as the flu or a bad cold can kill some smell and taste receptors.

Nasal polyps can prevent air from reaching the tissues high in the nose that detect aromas.

Smoking has an impact on smell and taste, but the good news is, if you quit smoking, these senses are restored but it may take a while.

Deficiency of vitamin B12, lack of zinc, copper, and vitamin A in the diet can all affect taste and smell. (This is by no means all of the causes.)

I do not want to ruin your thoughts for stuffing thyself of all the delicious food during the holidays. So, do this: Eat lots of hot, highly seasoned foods and use potent condiments and concentrated essences that don't irritate the stomach. Such crunchy foods as nuts, croutons or water chestnuts will enhance your enjoyment of foods. Combining hot and cold temperatures in the same dish (sour cream on a hot potato or caviar on a blini) may make it more interesting and more tasty. And be sure to take multivitamin supplements to compensate for any nutritional deficiencies in your diet. But, I doubt that you will need any vitamins while feasting on that big Christmas dinner (when we all pig out).

Also, do not forget to give thanks to God in Heaven for the abundance that we have here in America. We are most blessed and do not need to forget it.

Read the Christmas Story to some child according to Luke... "Love was born at Christmas"

Christmas Story according to Luke

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem... To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought fourth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
      ---- Luke 24:14