There's Nothing Like a Good Laugh

According to HealthDay News, a recent study discovered that laughter may possibly lower the risk of a heart attack and improve cholesterol levels.

For the study, two Californian doctors, Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan, gathered 20 middle aged type 2 diabetics. The average for those in the study was 50. Each participant had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and and were currently on medication to treat both as well as diabetes.

The participants were split into two groups - the control group and the laughter group. Those in the laughter group were instructed to watch something they found funny, most commonly movies and sitcoms, for 30 minutes every day. The study ended after 12 months.

After the study, while the control group only had a 3 percent increase in good cholesterol levels, those in the laughter group had an increase of 26 percent.

"I think its amazing," said Doris Shaw, 58. "It's good to known something as simple as laughing can help. Good thing I do it all the time!" laughed Shaw, a diabetic.

C-reactive proteins, an indication of inflammation associated with heart disease, declined by 66 percent by those in the laughter group. The control group only experienced a decline by 26 percent.

Dr. Berk explains the findings by associating good laughter with an increase of good chemicals in the body. According to HealthDay News, Berk says, "you are decreasing the bad chemicals in your body with laughter, [which] may prevent disease and may well have [additional] value relative to the therapies you are taking."

Source: http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/laughtermaylowerheartattackriskindiabetics.html;_ylt=AuPjSOzIi54YmLeO_49oYGimxbAB

It's Nothing but a Little Baby Fat

Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center found that adults who retain their baby fat are more likely to win the fight against obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The study involved about 2,000 participants.

Baby fat, also known as "good" brown fat, burns calories in order to heat the body. This results in brown fat being more active during the colder seasons. It also helps regulate body weight. Contrastingly, white fat, which is the most common fat, stores energy, adding to weight gain.

The study found that brown fat was more commonly found in women than in men. Also, those with more brown fat tended to be younger.

According to bbc.com, brown fat was once believe to only exist during the adolescent years. However, some adults still do have brown fat and slimmer adults have higher counts of brown fat than heavier adults.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7988252.stm

Salmonella Scare Part Deux

The Food and Drug Administration's federal officials confirmed on Monday the presence of salmonella in pistachios at Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. Located in central Califonia, the plant is the second largest pistachio processor in the U.S.

To date, no illnesses have been reported.

Last week, the Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. recalled 2 million pounds of nuts. According to aol.com, Setton Pistachio was the pistachio supplier to Kraft foods and 35 other wholesalers.

"I've been eating pistachios all week!" says Brittany Jacob.

Jacob, a sophomore communications major said she rarely pays attention to news of the health industry. "I definitely need to pay more attention because I would hate to get sick!"

FDA federal regulators suggest the avoidance of pistachio consumption until it has been cleared by the FDA. They also discourage the sale of the nut and the use of pistachios in meal preparation.

Sources: http://news.aol.com/health/article/salmonella-pistachio-plant/405593

Faceplant

On Thursday, surgeons at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston performed a 17-hour procedure that completed the second partial face transplant in U.S. history.

According to CNN.com, the patient had lost the "bony structures of his mid-face, including his nose, hard palate, and his overlying soft tissues, such as the upper lip." Although the injuries were not life-threatening, they were very traumatic.

Seven plastic surgeons were involved in the procedure.

To perform the procedure, doctors first had to find a donor who matched in age, skin color, and tissue characteristics of the patient. Chief plastic surgeon, Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, believes that it is a 60% chance that the patient will look like he once did.

Prior to the operation, the patient underwent several years of psychiatric therapy and was explained the major risks associated with the surgery.

Risks from the surgery include clotting, which would occur within the first 24 hours of the operation, and infection, which would surface within the first 10 days of the operation

The first partial face transplant took place in December at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where a woman was able to repair 80% of her face.

Sources: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/10/boston.face.transplant/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7786236.stm

Rocket Power

Scientists for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention found hints of perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, in powered baby formula. The largest amount of the chemical was found in formula's developed from cow's milk.

Although the chemical can occur naturally, it was been linked "defense and aerospace sites." Perchlorate has also been found in the drinking water supply of numerous cities

Health problems are yet to be found during the testing of the chemical; however, too much of the chemical can cause thyroid issues, which affect the metabolism. It also can cause harm to the development of the fetus and the baby's brain.

The height and weight of the baby and how much formula is actually consumed determines the risk brought by the chemical.

Despite the effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not recommend the alteration of eating habits because of the chemical.

According to Comcast.net news, the researchers are not releasing which exact brands of baby formula contained traces of perchlorate.

Source: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-health/20090406/Baby.Formula.Perchlorate

Fish - Food for Brains

According to Reuters Health, Swedish researchers discovered that teenage boys who ate fish more than once a week tended to score high on intelligence tests 3 years later. The study included about 5,000 15-year-old boys.

The boys in the study filled out a questionnaire when they were 15 about their dietary habits and took an intelligence test when they were 18.

These findings are significant according to Dr. Maria Aberg, lead researcher from Goteborg University because "the late-teens are a critical period for the brain 'plasticity' that underlies intelligence and emotional and social behavior. Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize the connections among cells in response to normal experience, like learning a new skill, or to injury."

The reasoning for the positive impacts of the fish is believed to be the omega-3 fats, found in fish such as salmon and albacore tuna, which helps with brain development and functioning.

Source: http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/us_fish_boys.html;_ylt=AjVNSUyHx.0EKmu.fp9KLOuz5xcB

Sweetened...not Soured

With its almond shape and cranberry color, synsepalum dulcificum - better known as the "miracle fruit" - can turn every sour taste sweet within the first 15 to 30 minutes of its ingestion.

Native to West Africa, the "miracle fruit" contains miraculin, a natural protein which has sugar molecules that stick to the tongue, triggering the tongue's sweet receptive taste buds. After eating the "miracle fruit", lemons and limes and can taste like sweet ... and Tabasco sauce can taste like tingling honey.

Because of its amazing effects on foods, the fruit is currently being used in several different medical studies.

In one case, the "miracle fruit" is being used in a study for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, several patients not only lose weight, but they also lose their taste senses, resulting in further weight loss and sometimes even malnutrition. Dr. Mike Cusnir, a lead researcher on the project and oncologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center, is hoping that by giving his patients the fruit, they will be able to regain some amount of taste and want to eat more. According to CNN, the feedback from his patients have been mixed.

The "miracle fruit", which has been growing in South Florida since about 1974, has created a buzz among exotic fruit eaters and fruit-lovers alike. People have even participated in parties where they pay $10 to $35 to taste the fruit.

Low on calories and high on taste, doctors have currently been considering the fruit as a helpful resource for diabetics and those suffering from obesity.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/25/miracle.berries.weightloss/index.html