by Elemental on Tue Apr 23, 2002 2:56 am
Nope. Humanity is a question of belief, not diet.
When someone says 'you are what you eat', what they are using is a reference to the process by which the body replaces worn-out cells and tissues, and how it builds new ones. Basically, when food is digested, the raw materials (mostly proteins, sugars, fats, and carbohydrates) are fed through the circulatory system and into the cells. The cells take in the materials they require, and use those materials to synthesize nucleic acids, hormones, and the like. These products are then used to manufacture new organelles and cells. In other words, the food you eat is broken into chemical 'pieces', which are then used in turn to build new parts of the body. Hence, you are made of what you have consumed. Of course, that's not true for long- cells wear out, die, and are replaced (the lifespan difffers depending on the type of cell). Thus, within reason, that Platypus cheeseburger you ate three years ago isn't likely in your system any more.
NQ: Did that make any sense?
Andrick: you don't count for this question. I know you understand.