What Can Make Living More Livable?

According to a variety of research, a little stress can be healthy. All stress produces destructive free radicals and hormones like cortisol, but the body starts healing as soon as it senses damage. If the stress is short-term, the body heals quickly and has energy left over to repair everyday wear and tear. Good stress can be mental (crossword puzzle), physical (treadmill workout) or psychological (public speaking); but the stress has to ease quickly so the body has time to both heal and repair. This means inviting the boss to dinner could make a person healthier.

The 2009 American Psychological Association's stress survey found women are much likelier than men to say they lack willpower to make lifestyle changes to improve health and reduce stress. When researchers investigated this, they discovered four reasons many women think they lack willpower. One, they're too tired to make changes. Two, they're depressed. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Three, their unrealistic goals cause them to give up. Four, they feel selfish taking care of themselves when children, aging parents and co-workers depend on them. Maybe women need "won'tpower".

Nicotine requires "won'tpower". Nabi BioPharmaceuticals received a $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct clinical trials on its anti-nicotine vaccine. NicVAX stimulates the immune system to generate antibodies that latch onto nicotine in the blood, preventing it from entering the brain. Thus no dopamine is released. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that provides the pleasure sensation. Of the 44 million U.S. smokers, only 4%-7% can quit for good without help. Help in the form of NicVAX clinical trials began in November 2009, but the results won't be known for a year - or until the smoke clears.

The results of a 5-year study published in the journal "Human Reproduction" found heavy exposure to the chemical BPA is linked to sexual problems. BPA is in plastic bottles and in linings of metal food and beverage cans. Men working with BPA in China were compared with men in the same cities who weren't. Those exposed were much more likely to experience impotence and lower sexual desire and satisfaction. Although Chinese workers are exposed to 50 times more BPA than average American men, 90% of the U.S. population has detectable amounts in their urine. In 2008 the FDA said trace amounts of BPA weren't harmful - but they're not necessary either.