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Month: June 2012

06.24.2012

why exercise makes us feel good

This question was posted on Scientific American.  Bottom line:

Exercising regularly, even taking a walk for 20 minutes several times a week, may help you cope with stress.

The scientists looked at the brain cells of these so-called stress-resistant mice and found that the rodents exhibited more activity in their medial prefrontal cortex and their amygdala, both of which are involved in processing emotions. The mice that did not exercise before moving in with the aggressive mice showed less activity in these parts of the brain.

Check the link for more description of the study.

 

06.14.2012

chemicals in our food

Image from The Daily Green

For an informational discussion of a chemicals in our food visit this article by Nathan Myhrvold at Saveur magazine:

We were often asked “Why are you putting so many chemicals into your food?” Often the questioner, in the next breath, said something like, “I prefer simple foods, like pasta, bread, cheese, and wine.”

We can’t help but chuckle at comments like these. Are there chemicals in our food? Yes, and elements, too! All food is made of chemicals—but of course that’s not the intent of the question. These people are really asking us why some of our recipes call for refined or unfamiliar chemicals.

As I like to remind people, everything is chemical! Check the link for more. And for a list of the most common “chemical” ingredients click here.

 

06.10.2012

testosterone

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that makes men manly. During puberty in males, it leads to the deepening of the voice and the development of body hair. It also promotes increases muscle and bone mass. Testosterone is also linked to aggressive behavior. A new study confirms this, although their definition of “aggressive behavior” seems a bit subjective. From Scientific American:

Study participants received testosterone or a placebo and then were shown color-tinted faces of men and women. The faces had subtle differences that made each one look angry, happy, or neutral.

When scientists changed the color of the face, the study subjects were asked to look at a circle of the same color below the face. Those who got the testosterone boost diverted their gaze from the angry faces more slowly than from the happy or neutral faces—an aggressive move. Subjects who got the placebo did not show this behavior.

It used to be thought that testosterone drives social dominance by imparting an awareness of feeling superior and strong. But this study shows that testosterone might be an unconscious driver, motivating social dominance as it does in other animals, involuntarily and automatically.

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