Body and Brain Buzz

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#888888" TEXT="#080000" background="c8fc8393.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="matt_hammer.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Matt Hammer">Matt Hammer</A></div> <div> <A HREF="modus_operandi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modus Operandi">Modus Operandi</A></div> <div> <A HREF="hot_audio.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hot Audio">Hot Audio</A></div> <div> <A HREF="pirate_radio_stations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pirate Radio Stations">Pirate Radio Stations</A></div> <div> <A HREF="stereo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PC with Stereo">PC with Stereo</A></div> <div> <A HREF="download_music.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DownLoad Music">DownLoad Music</A></div> <div> <B>Body and Brain Buzz</B></div> <div> <A HREF="party_snack_recipes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Party Snack Recipes">Party Snack Recipes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="exercise.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Exercise">Exercise</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>News and Music Free Radio Stations RadioZX</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News and Music Free Radio Stations Radio">home</A>                              back to  <A HREF="music.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Music">Music</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Body and Brain Buzz</B></I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1f7d3d30.jpg" border=0 width="211" height="211" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Better Buzz!</div> <div> If you really want to get a body and brain buzz, let a piece of chocolate melt on your tongue.</div> <bR> <div> According to researchers from the Mind Lab in the United Kingdom, when it comes to your tongue, melting chocolate is better than a passionate kiss. Chocolate caused a more intense and lasting "buzz" than kissing by doubling volunteers' heart rates, reports the BBC News.</div> <bR> <div> Led by Dr. David Lewis, who was formerly a professor at the University of Sussex, the research team recruited couples in their 20s. </div> <bR> <div> Each enjoyed a passionate kiss and then let a piece of chocolate--a new 60 percent cocoa dark chocolate from Cadbury--melt on their tongues while their heart rates and brains were monitored.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="127f4b70.jpg" border=0 width="244" height="183" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> That cup of coffee just not getting it done anymore? </div> <div> How about a Buzz Donut or a Buzzed Bagel? That's what Doctor Robert Bohannon, a Durham, North Carolina, molecular scientist, has come up with. </div> <bR> <div> Bohannon says he's developed a way to add caffeine to baked goods, without the bitter taste of caffeine. Each piece of pastry is the equivalent of about two cups of coffee. </div> <bR> <div> While the product is not on the market yet, Bohannon has approached some heavyweight companies, including Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks about carrying it.</div> <bR> <div> Juice the Easy Way to Good Health?</div> <div> by Karen Collins, R.D., American Institute for Cancer Research</div> <div> Many of us have trouble meeting recommendations to make vegetables and fruits a major part of our diets. Is drinking more juice the solution? Research supports categorizing juice as a nutritious beverage, but juice cannot provide the full benefits that come from eating solid vegetables and fruits.</div> <bR> <div> Evidence continues to accumulate on the many ways that vegetables and fruits promote good health, reducing risk of major chronic disorders such as heart disease and cancer.</div> <bR> <div> Although for more than 20 years Americans have been told a mostly plant-based diet lowers cancer risk, American’s consumption of produce has grown slowly. Surveys estimate that less than a quarter of American adults today meet the minimum recommendation of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, much less the 7 to 10 servings considered optimal.</div> <bR> <div> Some people may wonder whether drinking more juice to increase our servings of fruits and vegetables might be easier than changing the foods we select throughout the day.</div> <bR> <div> Depending on the particular choice, juice can be a good source of important nutrients, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, the B vitamin folate and the mineral potassium. Juice also contains other antioxidants that protect the body. It’s no surprise that people who eat low amounts of fruit and vegetables add several servings of juice daily, the antioxidants in their body increase, reducing risk of heart disease, cancer and perhaps even age-related eye disease and dementia.</div> <bR> <div> However, studies show that most fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants in the skins and peels, which do not make it into juice.  For example, one study reports that a whole orange contains up to five times more of one major antioxidant than a glass of orange juice.  The antioxidant is found in the white pulp and membranes that separate the orange segments from each other.</div> <bR> <div> Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, which provide a full array of natural plant compounds, is key to reducing cancer risk. Cancer protection comes from far more than accumulating antioxidants. When we eat berries, garlic, and cruciferous and dark green vegetables, for example, we get compounds that lead to the self-destruction of cells that might develop into cancer.</div> <bR> <div> Solid fruits and vegetables also provide dietary fiber not found in juice. Bacteria in our colon break down soluble fiber, producing fatty acids that some studies suggest protects our colon against cancer-causing influences. Overall, studies have produced conflicting results on the significance of fiber for cancer prevention, but it is far too early to dismiss.</div> <bR> <div> Eating solid fruits and vegetables can also lower risk of cancer and heart disease by helping you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Juice does not offer the same weight control benefits. Fruit juice is a more concentrated source of calories than solid fruits and vegetables. A one-half cup serving of most vegetables and fruit contains from 25 to 70 calories. Even a modest serving of most fruit juice six ounces contains 70 to 105 calories. (Tomato-based juices are the low-calorie exception.) Furthermore, numerous studies show that we don’t tend to make up for calories we drink by eating any less. When we eat fiber-rich food like fruits and vegetables, however, we tend to feel full and thus, eat fewer calories.</div> <bR> <div> One or two daily servings of juice can certainly have a place as part of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. But don’t be misled: juice is not an equal substitute for solid fruits and vegetables. The benefits of fruits and vegetables are worth the effort of learning to include them abundantly in your meals and snacks.</div> <bR> <div> <B>When it comes to experiencing pleasure, the Chocolate won,</B></div> <div> By a landslide!</div> <bR> <div> Although kissing set the heart pounding, the effect did not last as long as that seen with the chocolate, which increased heart rates from a resting rate of about 60 beats per minute to 140, reports the BBC.</div> <bR> <div> In addition, when the chocolate first started to melt, all the regions of the brain got a boost that was more intense and lasted longer than any excitement provided by the kiss. The result was the same for both men and women.</div> <bR> <div> "There is no doubt that chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz," Lewis told the BBC. "A buzz that, in many cases, lasted four times as long as the most passionate kiss."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Why?</B></div> <div> Lewis suspects it is caused by substances in the chocolate, which have long been known to have a psychoactive impact. In this study, the effect was maximized because participants didn't eat the chocolate, but instead allowed it to slowly melt on their tongues.</div> <bR> <div> "These results really surprised and intrigued us," Lewis admitted to the BBC. "While we fully expected chocolate--especially dark chocolate--to increase heart rates due to the fact it contains some highly stimulating substances, both the length of this increase together with the powerful effects it had on the mind were something none of us had anticipated."</div> <bR> <div> Psychologist Sue Wright told the BBC, "Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which can raise levels of endorphins, the pleasure-giving substances, in the brain.</div> <bR> <div> It also contains caffeine which has a stimulatory effect on the brain. This would explain why chocolate can give people a buzz, and why people can become addicted to it."</div> <bR> <div> 10 Simple Ways to Get Happy</div> <div> When you're feeling down or defeated, turn your attitude around with these simple strategies.</div> <bR> <div> Happiness is ephemeral, subject to the vagaries of everything from the weather to the size of your bank account. We're not suggesting that you can reach a permanent state called "happiness" and remain there. But there are many ways to swerve off the path of anxiety, anger, frustration, and sadness into a state of happiness once or even several times throughout the day. Here are 20 ideas to get you started.</div> <bR> <div> 1. Declutter. It's nearly impossible to meditate, breathe deeply, or simply relax when every surface is covered with papers and bills and magazines, your cabinets bulge, and you haven't balanced your checkbook in six months. Plus, the repetitive nature of certain cleaning tasks--such as sweeping, wiping, and scrubbing--can be meditative in and of itself if you focus on what you're doing.</div> <bR> <div> 2. Just say no. Eliminate activities that aren't necessary and that you don't enjoy. If there are enough people already to handle the church bazaar and you're feeling stressed by the thought of running the committee for yet another year, step down and let someone else handle things.</div> <bR> <div> 3. Do one thing at a time. Edward Suarez, Ph.D., associate professor of medical psychology at Duke, found that people who multitask are more likely to have high blood pressure. Take that finding to heart. Instead of talking on the phone while you fold laundry or clean the kitchen, sit down in a comfortable chair and turn your entire attention over to the conversation. Instead of checking e-mail as you work on other projects, turn off your e-mail function until you finish the report you're writing. This is similar to the concept of mindfulness.</div> <bR> <div> 4. Garden. Not only will the fresh air and exercise provide their own stress reduction and feeling of well-being, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from clearing a weedy patch, watching seeds turn into flowers, or pruning out dead wood will last for hours, if not days.</div> <bR> <div> 5. Take a dog for a walk. There are numerous studies that attest to the stress-relieving benefits of pets. In one analysis researchers evaluated the heart health of 240 couples, half of whom owned a pet. Those couples with pets had significantly lower heart rates and blood pressure levels when exposed to stressors than the couples who did not have pets. In fact, the pets worked even better at buffering stress than the spouses did.</div> <bR> <div> 6. Scent the air. Research finds that the benefits of aromatherapy in relieving stress are real. In one study people exposed to rosemary had lower anxiety levels, increased alertness, and performed math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed an increase in the type of brain waves that suggest increased relaxation. Today you have a variety of room-scenting methods, from plug-in air fresheners to essential oil diffusers, potpourri, and scented candles.</div> <bR> <div> 7. Ignore the stock market. Simply getting your quarterly 401(k) statement can be enough to send your blood pressure skyrocketing. In fact, Chinese researchers found a direct link between the daily performance of the stock market and the mental health of those who closely followed it. Astute investors know that time heals most financial wounds, so give your investments time--and give yourself a break.</div> <bR> <div> 8. Volunteer. Helping others enables you to put your own problems into perspective and also provides social interaction. While happy people are more likely to help others, helping others increases your happiness. One study found that volunteer work enhanced all six aspects of well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of control over life, physical health, and depression.</div> <bR> <div> 9. Give priority to close relationships. One study of more than 1,300 men and women of various ages found that those who had a lot of supportive friends were much more likely to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar metabolism, and stress hormone levels than those with two or fewer close friends. Women, and to a lesser extent men, also seemed to benefit from good relationships with their parents and spouses.</div> <bR> <div> Studies also find that people who feel lonely, depressed, and isolated are three to five times more likely to get sick and die prematurely than those who have feelings of love, connection, and community.</div> <bR> <div> 10. Take care of the soul. In study after study, actively religious people are happier and cope better with crises, according to David Myers, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. For many people faith provides a support community, a sense of life's meaning, feelings of ultimate acceptance, a reason to focus beyond yourself, and a timeless perspective on life's woes. Even if you're not religious, a strong spirituality may offer similar benefits.</div> <div> --From the Editors at Netscape</div> <bR> <div> Shocking Link: Birth Month and Intelligence</div> <div> Babies born in the spring have significantly lower scores on standardized math and language tests than children who are born during other months of the year, according to new research from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.</div> <bR> <div> Shocking Link: Birth Month and Intelligence</div> <div> Babies born in the spring have significantly lower scores on standardized math and language tests than children who are born during other months of the year, according to new research from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.</div> <bR> <div> Led by Dr. Paul Winchester, the researchers correlated the standardized test scores of more than 1.6 million Indiana students in grades 3 through 10 with the month in which each child was conceived. They found that regardless of race, gender or grade level, children who were conceived from May to August--and born in February, March, April and May--scored significantly lower on math and language tests than children conceived during other months of the year, reports Reuters.</div> <bR> <div> Why? Winchester points an accusing finger at environmental pesticides, which are often used in the summer months, as well as a higher level of nitrates in the surface water during that same time. "Exposure to pesticides and nitrates can alter the hormonal milieu of the pregnant mother and the developing fetal brain," Winchester explained in a statement. For example, some women who are exposed to pesticides and nitrates develop hypothyroidism resulting in very low thyroid hormone levels. Previous research has shown that pregnant women who are hypothyroid are more likely to have children with lower IQ scores.</div> <bR> <div> "A priori there should be no reasons particularly why the month of conception should change your (test) scores," Winchester said in an interview with Reuters, "and yet from our chain of evidence our hypothesis was that if pesticides do alter the friendly environment of the developing fetus than that might be reflected in lower scores. And unfortunately that's what we found." He insists "there is something going on" and it needs more research. The study findings were reported this week at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting.</div> <bR> <div> Your Intelligence Is Determined By THIS</div> <div> Your IQ Is determined by WHAT?</div> <bR> <div> Brain size doesn't matter.</div> <bR> <div> Find out what determines your particular intellectual strengths and weaknesses.</div> <bR> <div> How smart you are has nothing to do with the size of your brain. It has everything to do with the volume of gray matter tissue in multiple regions of the brain.</div> <bR> <div> The more gray matter you have, the higher your intelligence, Science Daily reports of research conducted by the University of California, Irvine and the University of New Mexico. Two people can have the same IQ scores, but have vastly different types of intelligence. For example, both could have an IQ of 135, but one excels in mathematics and struggles with spelling, while the other excels in languages and can't balance a checkbook without a calculator. The gray matter for these two people is in different regions of the brain.</div> <bR> <div> This joint project between UC Irvine and the University of New Mexico is the most comprehensive structural brain-scan study of intelligence to date. The researchers have learned that there is probably no single "intelligence center," such as the frontal lobe. Instead, there are multiple regions related to intelligence located throughout the brain.</div> <bR> <div> The study:</div> <div> Led by Dr. Richard Haier, the team used MRI to obtain structural images of the brains in 47 normal adults, who also took standard intelligence quotient tests. The researchers used a technique called voxel-based morphometry to determine gray matter volume throughout the brain which they correlated to the IQ scores.</div> <bR> <div> The results:</div> <div> Previous research has shown a weak link between higher IQ and larger brains, but this study showed instead that gray matter in specific regions of the brain is more related to IQ than is overall brain size, reports Science Daily. It is likely that our individual intelligence strengths and weaknesses depend in large part on the volume and pattern of gray matter across our brains. The researchers do not know why some people have more gray matter in some brain areas than do other people, although they suspect it is related to heredity.</div> <div> Study results were published in the online version of the journal NeuroImage.</div> <bR> <div> 5 Words That Make You Sound Smart</div> <div> Some of us really are smart, but many of us have to fake it. Faking it just got easier thanks to a new book from the editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries called "100 Words to Make You Sound Smart."</div> <bR> <div> Just think! Learn one word a day--while you're cooking dinner, riding the train to work or taking care of business in the bathroom--and in just over three months, you'll sound educated, articulate and literate. Can sophisticated be far away?</div> <bR> <div> So what kind of words are on this list? They are real words. Words that you can actually use in conversation and writing that do sound smart, but not ostentatious. Best of all, it will be easier to remember these words than it was when you memorized vocabulary lists as a kid since the editors helpfully include not only the definition, but also a pronunciation guide and examples of proper usage shown in context.</div> <bR> <div> A colorful variety of words have been chosen, including handy words of just one syllable (such as "glib") and words derived from the names of famous people (such as "Freudian slip" and "Machiavellian"). There are expressions from popular culture ("Catch-22") and words that date back to classical civilization ("Spartan" and "stoic").</div> <bR> <div> Here are five of the 100 words that will make you sound smart:</div> <div> 1. Epitome (noun): The best or most representative example of a class or type.</div> <div> Example: "Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil." --Elie Wiesel</div> <bR> <div> 2. Finagle (verb): To obtain or achieve something by cleverness or deviousness, especially in using words.</div> <div> Example: "...She finagled to get meat during the war by finding a vegetarian family in the neighborhood and trading her vegetable ration card for their meat ration card." --Maureen Dowd</div> <bR> <div> 3. Gregarious (adjective): Seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable.</div> <div> Example: "Biologically speaking, man is moderately gregarious, not a completely social animal--a creature more like a wolf...or an elephant, than like a bee or an ant." --Aldous Huxley</div> <bR> <div> 4. Panacea (noun): A remedy for all diseases, evils or difficulties; a cure-all.</div> <div> Example: "The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war." --Ernest Hemingway</div> <bR> <div> 5. Perfunctory (adjective): Done routinely and with little interest or care.</div> <div> Example: "Reforms in the civil service must go on, but the changes should be real and genuine, not perfunctory." --President William McKinley</div> <div> --<A HREF="http://www.netscape.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.netscape.com">From the Editors at Netscape</A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>