Lose Weight And Get Healthy; Can Laughter Be A Cure For Obesity?

Once there were these two Nuns and they...justinsults and infections.An increase in gamma interferon,
kidding! Do you feel any thinner or healthier? Well,which tells various components of the immune system
according to recent studies, you might not in theto "turn on."An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin
beginning but over the long haul, you could actually dropproduced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as
weight.Now, if you are laughing because you arean increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to
binging on some kind of pastry or you getting trashedpierce dysfunctional or infected cells. The increase in
on alcohol, this might not work for you but if you areboth substances was not only present while subjects
laughing for other reasons, it could pay greatly bywatched a humor video; there also was a lingering
reducing fat around your waist and thighs.First of all, Ieffect that continued to show increased levels the
am going dispel a few myths regarding the Cortisolnext day.Laughter Decreases "Stress" Hormones:The
fighting snake-oils that are being advertised.Cortisol isresults of the study also supported research indicating
caused by physical and emotional stress! Cortisol is aa general decrease in stress hormones that constrict
hormone released by your adrenal glands in responseblood vessels and suppress immune activity. These
to either physical or emotional stress and that is thewere shown to decrease in the study group exposed
reason it is referred to as the "stress" hormone.to humor.For example, levels of epinephrine were
Whether it's a lot of missed nights of sleep, anlower in the group both in anticipation of humor and
extremely low calorie diet or getting caught in a trafficafter exposure to humor. Epinephrine levels remained
jam, your body responds in much the same way. Itdown throughout the experiment.In addition, dopamine
secretes cortisol into your bloodstream, which canlevels (as measured by dopac) were also decreased.
cause even more problems.This hormone is part ofDopamine is involved in the "fight or flight response"
the "fight-or-flight" response that we have as humanand is associated with elevated blood
beings. Faced with stressful situations and danger, wepressure.Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for
are left to either run or fight. Your body secretes thisthe diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to use
hormone as a way of defending against stress andoxygen.Laughter brings in positive emotions that can
danger. Primarily it increases the flow of glucose,enhance - not replace -- conventional treatments.
protein and fat out of your tissues and into yourHence it is another tool available to help fight the
circulation system. For example, if a bear were chasingdisease.Experts believe that, when used as an adjunct
you in the woods, your energy levels would increaseto conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid
because it your body's natural response to a physicalthe healing process. For one thing, laughter offers a
threat.The dangers of having these high levels of thepowerful distraction from pain.In a study published in the
hormone have been associated with storage ofJournal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners
visceral fat, diabetes, heart disease, weakenedafter surgery and before painful medication was
immune system, and chronic depression.Now that youadministered. Those exposed to humor perceived less
are a little more educated, what do you think would bepain when compared to patients who didn't get a dose
the best idea for preventing these deadly, hormonal,of humor as part of their therapy.Perhaps, the biggest
Cortisol surges? Come-on, I know you know thebenefit of laughter is that it is free and has no known
answer. It isn't in some magic Cortisol-blocking pill, is it?negative side effects.So, here is a summary of how
That's right, you need to control your STRESS.Youhumor contributes to physical health. More details can
can take all the Cortisol blocking stuff you want, but ifbe found in the article, Humor and Health contributed
you aren't controlling your stress, you could easily beby Paul McGheeMuscle Relaxation - Belly laugh results
storing abdominal fat if you are a man and hip andin muscle relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that
thigh fat if you are a woman.I am not saying thatdo not participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. After you
supplementation may not be required for some people.finish laughing those muscles involved in the laughter
I believe that if you aren't getting enough rest or youstart to relax. So, the action takes place in two
are unable to relax, you probably need some nutrientsstages.Reduction of Stress Hormones - Laughter
put back into your body. Remember though,reduces at least four of neuroendocrine hormones
supplementation does not mean replacement. Learningassociated with stress response. These are
how to get your stress levels down is the mostepinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth
productive thing you can do.Also, if you are sufferinghormone.Immune System Enhancement - Clinical
with anxiety and depression, your body may needstudies have shown that humor strengthens the
some real medical help to get your stress level downimmune system.Pain Reduction - Humor allows a
to something manageable. In fact, if you are under theperson to "forget" about pains such as aches, arthritis,
kind of stress that causes weight gain, learningetc.Cardiac Exercise - A belly laugh is equivalent to "an
relaxation skills are probably the first things your doctorinternal jogging." Laughter can provide good cardiac
will advise you to do. Also, if you are suffering withconditioning especially for those who are unable to
anxiety and depression, don't be afraid to consult withperform physical exercises.Blood Pressure - Women
a qualified physician because they can really help youseem to benefit more than men in preventing
get your stress levels under control.Finally, I went a longhypertension.Respiration - Frequent belly laughter
way to say, " Laughter will do wonders for your stressempties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting
levels". Relaxation doesn't always mean just layingin a cleansing effect - similar to deep breathing.
down watching TV so you can't use this issue articleEspecially beneficial for patient's who are suffering
as an excuse for being lazy. You just need to learnfrom emphysema and other respiratory ailments. (SIDE
how to calm down and recognize stress.Check outBAR FROM Randall Gartman: It will also help balance
this research from Dr. Lee Berk.Therapeutic BenefitsOxygen and Co2 levels, which could help anxiety
of Laughter (RESEARCH)Dr. Lee Berk and fellowsufferers with hyperventilation)---End of
researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University inResearch---Now, Let me show you how you can
California have been studying the effects of laughterapply what you just learned.Sit in a chair, check your
on the immune system. To date their published studiesshoulders and let them relax but keep your posture
have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure,straight so you can breathe properly. Imagine your butt
reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion,sinking into your chair but feel yourself centered, neither
and boosts immune function by raising levels ofleaning forward or back.Breathe in from your
infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins calleddiaphragm to the count of 4, hold your breath to count
Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produceof 4 and release your breath to the count of 4. If you
disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggerswant to know how to breathe properly, watch an
the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers,infant sleep because they haven't learned how to
and produces a general sense of well-being.Followingbreathe improperly yet!As you take each breath,
is a summary of his research, taken from an interviewtighten up your toes to the count of 4, hold that tension
published in the September/October 1996 issue of theto the count of 4 and release the tension slowly to the
Humor and Health Journal.Laughter Activates thecount of 4.Perform that routine for each body part in
Immune System:In Berk's study, the physiologicalthis order: toes, feet, calves, thighs, buttocks, abs, chest,
response produced by belly laughter was opposite ofback, arms, hands, neck and face.After you finish the
what is seen in classical stress, supporting theabove exercise, discover what it's like to finally be
conclusion that mirthful laughter is a eustress state -- arelaxed and just sit there for a few minutes. If it is at
state that produces healthy or positivenight, you can do this lying down so all you need to do
emotions.Research results indicate that, after exposureis close your eyes and get some sleep. However, if it
to humor, there is a general increase in activity withinis daytime, I want you stand up (if you can) and stretch
the immune system, including: An increase in theand put a big goofy smile on your face. I mean cross
number and activity level of natural killer cells thatyour eyes and jump up and down like a crazy person.
attack viral infected cells and some types of cancerDon't stop until you are laughing!Now that you know
and tumor cells.An increase in activated T cells (Tthat laughter is awesome medicine for fighting obesity
lymphocytes). There are many T cells that awaitand a variety of health issues, how often do you think
activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune systemyou could practice putting a smile on your face? I am
to "turn it up a notch."Increases antibodies IgAgetting thin right now. In fact, I am exercising in public
(immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tractright now--LOL.(c) 2003 - 2004 Randall T.