coverartist
PROBIOTICS HELP PREVENT ECZEMA
A
study by researchers at the Norwe- gian University of Science and
Technology shows that the incidence of eczema in children of mothers that drank milk fortified with a probiotic supplement during pregnancy and while breastfeeding was about half that experienced otherwise.
Source: British Journal of Dermatology A Wild Ride by Robert Duncan
THE HEAVY SECRET OF FAKE FATS
F
ood containing synthetic fats—which taste like natural fats, but with fewer calories—may sound enticing to
dieters. However, fat substitutes used in low-calorie potato chips and other processed foods could instead backfire and contribute to weight gain and obesity. Findings by Purdue University scientists published online in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Behavioral Neurosci- ence, challenges marketing claims that foods made with fat substitutes help with weight loss. Apparently, the hitch is
that synthetic fats can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate food intake, lead- ing to inefficient use of calories and weight gain.
impression, it can make us feel physically weaker. The study, pub- lished in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, explored the relationship of posture and pain tolerance and found that by simply adopting more dominant poses, individuals can feel more powerful, in control and better able to tolerate distress. More, those studied using the most dominant posture were able to com- fortably tolerate more pain than others assigned a more neutral or submissive stance. People tend to curl up into a ball when in pain, but the
The Power of Good Posture M
other’s warnings against slouching were correct. Recent research proves that poor posture not only makes a bad
University of Southern California researchers recommend doing the opposite—try sitting or standing up straight, lifting the chin, pushing out the chest and generally expanding the body shape. They suggest that these small, yet empowering, changes in behavior can decrease sensitivity to pain. Adopting a powerful posture may even affect the body’s hormone levels, boosting testosterone, which is associated with increased pain tolerance, and decreas- ing cortisol, typically released in response to stress.
America’s wide open spaces lassoed Robert Duncan’s imagination as a boy, and never let go. Though he grew up in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah, he spent cherished summers on his grandparents’ Wyoming ranch, where his grandmother gave him his first set of oil paints. Today, his light-filled canvases portray the rural scenes and simpler way of life of the American West.
Realistic and respectful of nature
and the pioneer spirit that continues to permeate the West, Duncan’s art gives visual testament to the simple joys and quiet peace and beauty of rural living. “We all need nature in our lives,” he believes. “The family farm is disappearing at an alarming rate. I want my grandchildren to be able to walk through a field and hear a meadowlark call.”
Duncan says that his paintings are
“… a call to think about the things that touch our lives. We don’t all have to live on a farm, but to pass by and see the cows grazing, or just to know that there are wild places being kept wild, makes our lives better.”
Robert Duncan’s art is held in private collections worldwide. View his portfolio at
RobertDuncanStudios.com.
natural awakenings January 2012 13
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