Sunday, 15 July 2012
Friday, 13 July 2012
Psychology of Friday 13th
Have you watched the movie Friday the 13th? Scary, isn’t it? Well, perhaps not quite as scary as the infamous Rebecca Black song, “Friday” – but close enough. If you are one of those who carries around a rabbit’s foot and strokes it all day long for good luck or makes a wish after blowing away a fallen eyelash – then you are probably in the midst of bolting your doors, turning on all the lights and hiding under the comforting warmth of your comforter. Today just so happens to be Friday the 13th and if you have friggatriskaidekaphobia – it’s simply not a day to be trifled with.
Frigga what you say? And yes, attempting to say it can just as well be as terrifying as its definition. The Friggatriskaidekaphobia phenomenon is a fear of Friday the 13th – a commonly held superstition that has been around for centuries, whichever part of the world you may be in. In Bollywood for example (the Mumbai based Indian film industry), producers hesitate to release movies on Friday the 13th because they fear it is bad luck and their movies might fail to do well at the box office. The stock market slows down on Friday the 13th and people also postpone travel and do not conduct major financial deals and transactions.
But what causes someone to fear a day and a date?
Thomas Gilovich, who chairs the Department of Psychology at Cornell University, seems to think that people fear Friday the 13th because they tend to associate it with bad things or events in their life. “The mind is an associative system and if anything bad happens to you on Friday the 13th, the two will be forever associated in your mind and all those uneventful days in which the 13th fell on a Friday will be ignored,” says Gilovich who also mentions that psychology can help us understand how superstitions work and why people do certain things and act in a particular manner.
The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina believes that 17 to 21 million people suffer from a fear of Friday the 13th. Gilovich states that there is no evidence or validity to superstitions and bad luck surrounding Friday the 13th. “People hold a number of beliefs without understanding the basis behind them or where they came from,” says Gilovich who also highlights the example of architects and interior designers who will not label the 13th floor of a building.
Daniel Wegner, a psychology professor at Harvard University, has been studying the human tendency to see causal connections, especially where they do not exist, for the last few years. “Our minds cause our actions and other things that happen in the world. It seems that we often believe we are powerful causal agents just because we happen to think of something before it happens!” says Wegner who specializes in apparent mental causation.
Wegner also uses sports to highlight his theory that people who think about certain things before they happen can cause them to believe they were the active force that caused them to happen. “This is why sports fans fear going to the refrigerator because then their team might lose on TV. If they’re not actively rooting for their team and thinking good thoughts, maybe they will be the ones who tip the balance towards the loss. Or at least, feel that they did.”
So is all this just some medieval mumbo jumbo or something more? Fact or folklore? Paranormal or paranoia? You be the judge.
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Metabolic Mysteries of the Brain
It’s what Charles Mobbs, a neuroscientist from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, calls the “metabolic mystery.” Since the early 1930s, research studies have consistently demonstrated that too many nutritional resources, resulting in conditions like obesity and diabetes, can be toxic to the brain. In contrast, more restrictive diets result in a complicated (and counterintuitive) cascade of protective effects, preventing aging-related diseases and ultimately prolonging life. Today, neuroscientists are learning that the old adage, “you are what you eat,” might need to be updated to “you arehow you eat.” And the new work from the National Institutes of Aging suggests that fasting may help promote optimal brain health in aging adults.
Eating: Less is more?
Several studies have demonstrated that regular exercise helps protect the brain from age-related decline. But in a recent essay published in the March 2012 issue of Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Aging, argues that diet is just as important. Specifically, he cites results demonstrating that intermittent fasting—one day on food, the next day off of it—can also protect the brain. So why might abstaining from food every 24 hours be such a brain benefit?
“Fasting is a challenge to the nervous system, to the energy regulating systems,” says Mattson. “And what we’re thinking, from the standpoint of evolution, is that animals living in the wild, including our ancestors, often had to go extended time periods without food. If you haven’t had food for a while, your mind becomes more active—it has to become very active, to help you figure out how to find food.”
That activity manifests itself in neuroplasticity; in mouse models, Mattson and colleagues have shown that intermittent fasting helps protect the brain from both oxidative stress and direct injury. Those protective effects result in the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as anti-oxidants, DNA-repair enzymes, and other gene products that help promote plasticity and survival of neurons over time.
“It makes evolutionary sense that caloric availability would have an impact, not just on brain regions involved in metabolism, such as the hypothalamus, but also on brain regions involved in learning, such as the hippocampus,” says Alexis Stranahan, a professor at Georgia Health Sciences University and Mattson’s co-author on theNature Reviews Neuroscience essay. “Your mind needs to be sharp if you are looking for food. At the other end of the spectrum, it also makes sense that an overabundance of food would dull the senses, making it harder to form associations.”
In the past, some studies suggested that caloric restriction promoted good health—and researchers have seen improved outcomes in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Huntington’s disease by simply reducing the number of calories an animal eats each day by a significant percentage. But Mattson argues that, when it comes to the brain, fasting may be more effective. “We find that the intermittent fasting increases neurogenesis while limited daily reduction in calories has very little effect,” he says. “BDNF levels are increased in response to both exercise and intermittent energy restriction.”
Fasting and human trials
To date, intermittent fasting has been tested in two human trials. The first was conducted by James Johnson, a plastic surgeon and professor at Louisiana State University, who was inspired by Mattson’s work. He was interested in seeing if caloric restriction might help reduce inflammation and breathing issues in people with severe asthma.
“I had a patient who had asthma who used three inhalers plus some oral medication every day,” he says. “After three weeks of alternate-day fasting, she was down to using the inhalers once a day. And after six weeks, she stopped using the inhalers at all. Her asthma symptoms had essentially gone away. It was astonishing.”
Johnson partnered with Mattson and other local scientists to do a small clinical trial. They recruited 12 overweight people with asthma to take part in an alternate-day fasting-like regimen. Participants alternated eating whatever they wanted on “on” days and consuming shakes that limited caloric intake to 500-600 calories on “off” days, for two months.
“It was a small trial but participants lost weight. They said they felt good. And their asthma symptoms improved,” says Mattson. Measurements of airway resistance improved and the researchers found many markers of inflammation and oxidative stress diminished over the first few weeks. Johnson marked it enough of a success to write a book about the regimen, called “The Alternative Day Diet.”
A second clinical trial, led by the University of Manchester’s Michelle Harvie, divided a group of about 100 overweight women with a high risk of breast cancer into three diet groups: average diet, a diet that restricted calories overall by 15 percent and intermittent fasting (with “off” days permitting 600 calories). The results have not been published yet but, once again, Mattson says participants in the fasting group lost weight and improved their insulin sensitivity.
Moving forward
Between the replicated work in animal models and the success of the two small clinical trials, Mattson now has his sights set on the human brain. He and his colleagues are planning to do a study looking at people who are at risk for age-related cognitive decline. He is optimistic that the results will mimic those seen in the smaller trials, demonstrating solid protective effects in the cortex. He and his colleagues also plan to contrast intermittent fasting with exercise in animal models.
Mobbs, however, cautions that there’s no reason for everyone to start fasting just yet. He maintains that there is still quite a bit we don’t know about caloric intake and the brain.“That’s why I call it the ‘metabolic mystery.’ And certainly we know that diseases like anorexia are very toxic to the body and the brain. We don’t know when or how these processes go from being healthy to unhealthy yet,” he says. “So your best bet for a healthy brain and a healthy body is still to listen to your doctor and use common sense: follow a reasonable caloric intake, exercise, and avoid obesity.”
Eating: Less is more?
Several studies have demonstrated that regular exercise helps protect the brain from age-related decline. But in a recent essay published in the March 2012 issue of Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Aging, argues that diet is just as important. Specifically, he cites results demonstrating that intermittent fasting—one day on food, the next day off of it—can also protect the brain. So why might abstaining from food every 24 hours be such a brain benefit?
“Fasting is a challenge to the nervous system, to the energy regulating systems,” says Mattson. “And what we’re thinking, from the standpoint of evolution, is that animals living in the wild, including our ancestors, often had to go extended time periods without food. If you haven’t had food for a while, your mind becomes more active—it has to become very active, to help you figure out how to find food.”
That activity manifests itself in neuroplasticity; in mouse models, Mattson and colleagues have shown that intermittent fasting helps protect the brain from both oxidative stress and direct injury. Those protective effects result in the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as anti-oxidants, DNA-repair enzymes, and other gene products that help promote plasticity and survival of neurons over time.
“It makes evolutionary sense that caloric availability would have an impact, not just on brain regions involved in metabolism, such as the hypothalamus, but also on brain regions involved in learning, such as the hippocampus,” says Alexis Stranahan, a professor at Georgia Health Sciences University and Mattson’s co-author on theNature Reviews Neuroscience essay. “Your mind needs to be sharp if you are looking for food. At the other end of the spectrum, it also makes sense that an overabundance of food would dull the senses, making it harder to form associations.”
In the past, some studies suggested that caloric restriction promoted good health—and researchers have seen improved outcomes in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Huntington’s disease by simply reducing the number of calories an animal eats each day by a significant percentage. But Mattson argues that, when it comes to the brain, fasting may be more effective. “We find that the intermittent fasting increases neurogenesis while limited daily reduction in calories has very little effect,” he says. “BDNF levels are increased in response to both exercise and intermittent energy restriction.”
Fasting and human trials
To date, intermittent fasting has been tested in two human trials. The first was conducted by James Johnson, a plastic surgeon and professor at Louisiana State University, who was inspired by Mattson’s work. He was interested in seeing if caloric restriction might help reduce inflammation and breathing issues in people with severe asthma.
“I had a patient who had asthma who used three inhalers plus some oral medication every day,” he says. “After three weeks of alternate-day fasting, she was down to using the inhalers once a day. And after six weeks, she stopped using the inhalers at all. Her asthma symptoms had essentially gone away. It was astonishing.”
Johnson partnered with Mattson and other local scientists to do a small clinical trial. They recruited 12 overweight people with asthma to take part in an alternate-day fasting-like regimen. Participants alternated eating whatever they wanted on “on” days and consuming shakes that limited caloric intake to 500-600 calories on “off” days, for two months.
“It was a small trial but participants lost weight. They said they felt good. And their asthma symptoms improved,” says Mattson. Measurements of airway resistance improved and the researchers found many markers of inflammation and oxidative stress diminished over the first few weeks. Johnson marked it enough of a success to write a book about the regimen, called “The Alternative Day Diet.”
A second clinical trial, led by the University of Manchester’s Michelle Harvie, divided a group of about 100 overweight women with a high risk of breast cancer into three diet groups: average diet, a diet that restricted calories overall by 15 percent and intermittent fasting (with “off” days permitting 600 calories). The results have not been published yet but, once again, Mattson says participants in the fasting group lost weight and improved their insulin sensitivity.
Moving forward
Between the replicated work in animal models and the success of the two small clinical trials, Mattson now has his sights set on the human brain. He and his colleagues are planning to do a study looking at people who are at risk for age-related cognitive decline. He is optimistic that the results will mimic those seen in the smaller trials, demonstrating solid protective effects in the cortex. He and his colleagues also plan to contrast intermittent fasting with exercise in animal models.
Mobbs, however, cautions that there’s no reason for everyone to start fasting just yet. He maintains that there is still quite a bit we don’t know about caloric intake and the brain.“That’s why I call it the ‘metabolic mystery.’ And certainly we know that diseases like anorexia are very toxic to the body and the brain. We don’t know when or how these processes go from being healthy to unhealthy yet,” he says. “So your best bet for a healthy brain and a healthy body is still to listen to your doctor and use common sense: follow a reasonable caloric intake, exercise, and avoid obesity.”
Monday, 9 July 2012
7 Health Issues Men Over the Age of 40 Shouldn't Ignore
Contrary to the messages our youth-obsessed country perpetuates on TV and in films, both men and women are incredibly creative, productive, and yes, passionate in their 40s. We hope you knew that already. However, with age comes certain health issues that shouldn’t be ignored. But men, generally speaking, don’t like to go to the doctor. Some men may even consider going to the doctor as a sign of weakness. To make matters worse, men in our society are encouraged to be macho and stoic when it comes to physical discomfort, which can cause them to ignore symptoms of serious diseases. So guys, it’s time to man up and check out these seven health issues men 40 or older need to be aware of and discuss them with a trusted physician. Your loved ones will be glad you did!
1. High Blood Pressure
As you get older, your blood vessels become stiffer, and your blood pressure goes up. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems including stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. Fortunately, there are many ways to monitor your blood pressure outside of your doctor’s office, including an easy-to-use iPhone app. And there are several simple and enjoyable preventive measures you can take to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, including exercise, eating healthy, and meditation.
2. Diabetes
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult-onset diabetes, is most common in people over the age of 40. This type of diabetes can lead to kidney or eye problems. People with African-American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, and certain Asian and Pacific Island heritage are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It’s important to have your doctor test your blood sugar to diagnose diabetes if you are experiencing its symptoms, including increased thirst and hunger or frequent urination, or if there is a history of diabetes or obesity in your family.
3. High Cholesterol
Hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol can lead to the hardening of arteries, heart disease, and even stroke. It is more commonly diagnosed in men under the age of 55, but its risks increase with age. Since high cholesterol is often symptomless, have your doctor test your blood regularly. Good dietary habits and exercise are great preventive measures you can take toward maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol.
4. Depression
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that more than 6 million men have depression each year. Symptoms of depression are often erroneously and derogatorily described as evidence of a “mid-life crisis,” rather than indicators of a serious health issue. Men suffering from undiagnosed depression may exhibit clichéd “male” behaviour, including anger and aggression, and engage in alcohol and drug abuse. Fortunately, once properly diagnosed, depression can be treated through talk-therapy, mediation, and even acupuncture, before turning to prescription drugs.
5. Lung Cancer
The number of new lung cancer cases has dropped steadily since the 1980s, no doubt due in part to the Surgeon General’s 1964 report on smoking and health. But lung cancer is still the leading cancer killer in both men and women, more than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined! A small number of people who don’t smoke get lung cancer. But experts agree that smoking, a habit that can be harder to kick than heroin, is a leading cause of lung cancer. So if you smoke, try to quit. Will it be easy? No. But your body and your loved ones will thank you in the end. (How to stop smoking with Hypnotherapy)
6. Prostate Cancer
After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men. However, there is increased awareness of the importance of discussing testing for prostate cancer with your doctor. The two commonly used tests for early detection of prostate cancer, a blood test and rectal exam, are helpful but not absolutely conclusive. Talk to your doctor about your family’s health history, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing, including trouble urinating, swelling in your legs, and discomfort in your pelvic area, to determine if further testing is necessary to screen for prostate cancer.
7. Impotence
Men can experience varying degrees of impotence or erectile dysfunction as they get older. Many of the health issues we discussed can contribute to impotence, including unmanaged diabetes, obesity, smoking, substance abuse, and cardiovascular disease. And addressing these health issues, with exercise and a better diet, can help you in the bedroom. If you are experiencing impotence, before you take those Viagra ads soundtracked by blues guitar too much to heart, talk with your doctor in detail about your health and lifestyle. There may be a simple, drug-free solution to the issue.
1. High Blood Pressure
As you get older, your blood vessels become stiffer, and your blood pressure goes up. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems including stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. Fortunately, there are many ways to monitor your blood pressure outside of your doctor’s office, including an easy-to-use iPhone app. And there are several simple and enjoyable preventive measures you can take to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, including exercise, eating healthy, and meditation.
2. Diabetes
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult-onset diabetes, is most common in people over the age of 40. This type of diabetes can lead to kidney or eye problems. People with African-American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, and certain Asian and Pacific Island heritage are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It’s important to have your doctor test your blood sugar to diagnose diabetes if you are experiencing its symptoms, including increased thirst and hunger or frequent urination, or if there is a history of diabetes or obesity in your family.
3. High Cholesterol
Hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol can lead to the hardening of arteries, heart disease, and even stroke. It is more commonly diagnosed in men under the age of 55, but its risks increase with age. Since high cholesterol is often symptomless, have your doctor test your blood regularly. Good dietary habits and exercise are great preventive measures you can take toward maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol.
4. Depression
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that more than 6 million men have depression each year. Symptoms of depression are often erroneously and derogatorily described as evidence of a “mid-life crisis,” rather than indicators of a serious health issue. Men suffering from undiagnosed depression may exhibit clichéd “male” behaviour, including anger and aggression, and engage in alcohol and drug abuse. Fortunately, once properly diagnosed, depression can be treated through talk-therapy, mediation, and even acupuncture, before turning to prescription drugs.
5. Lung Cancer
The number of new lung cancer cases has dropped steadily since the 1980s, no doubt due in part to the Surgeon General’s 1964 report on smoking and health. But lung cancer is still the leading cancer killer in both men and women, more than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined! A small number of people who don’t smoke get lung cancer. But experts agree that smoking, a habit that can be harder to kick than heroin, is a leading cause of lung cancer. So if you smoke, try to quit. Will it be easy? No. But your body and your loved ones will thank you in the end. (How to stop smoking with Hypnotherapy)
6. Prostate Cancer
After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men. However, there is increased awareness of the importance of discussing testing for prostate cancer with your doctor. The two commonly used tests for early detection of prostate cancer, a blood test and rectal exam, are helpful but not absolutely conclusive. Talk to your doctor about your family’s health history, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing, including trouble urinating, swelling in your legs, and discomfort in your pelvic area, to determine if further testing is necessary to screen for prostate cancer.
7. Impotence
Men can experience varying degrees of impotence or erectile dysfunction as they get older. Many of the health issues we discussed can contribute to impotence, including unmanaged diabetes, obesity, smoking, substance abuse, and cardiovascular disease. And addressing these health issues, with exercise and a better diet, can help you in the bedroom. If you are experiencing impotence, before you take those Viagra ads soundtracked by blues guitar too much to heart, talk with your doctor in detail about your health and lifestyle. There may be a simple, drug-free solution to the issue.
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