Mindfulness reduces pain
New research by The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre has found evidence that mindful meditation is a more effective way to reduce pain than placebo. Participants were wired up with brain imaging technology and asked to rate pain. Findings revealed those who practiced mindful meditation reported far less pain and also showed very different patterns of activity on their brains. The study found the mindfulness group reported pain intensity as reduced by 27% and by 44% for the emotional aspect of pain. Whilst the placebo cream reduced the sensation of pain by 11% and emotional aspect of pain by 13%. Time to get zen.
Squat your way smart
Strong legs have been linked to reduced mental decline by scientists at Kings College London. Greater muscular power in lower limbs has been associated with an improved rate of ageing according to the study. As the legs contain the largest muscles in the body they are a good indicator of muscular fitness which has a strong link to cognitive abilities. Legs day it is.
Things are getting freaky for gluten
Australian researchers have come up with a ground-breaking treatment for those who have a serious gluten intolerance or Coeliac Disease. Patients were injected with hookworm larvae that was left to grow within their guts. Scientists say it contains a specific anti-inflammatory protein which eases the painful symptoms of the disease. Anyone else think they might just want to avoid pizza instead?
Less testosterone makes for more emotionally supportive relationships
Ok we probably didn’t need a study to spell this one out for us, but the University of Notre Dame has found that higher levels of testosterone indicate less supportive and nurturing qualities in men. The study looked across the spectrum of relationships to include spouses, relatives, friends and colleagues and found that married men and fathers tend to have lower levels of testosterone.
More research on why a high fat diet is bad news
Don’t shoot the messenger, but we’re sorry to report that the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute has found more reasons that a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet can be harmful. Essentially the consumption of junk food stimulates the production of bile in the liver which causes the body to absorb more cholesterol and fat from other food we eat. Thus a vicious circle begins.
