This eZine (No. 138)

Relationships:	The Science of Lust and Love
Wellness:	The Importence of Health and Nutrition as you Age
SkinCare:	5 Myths About Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer

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The Science of Lust and Love

By: Ainsley Laing

Lust? Love? Is there a difference?

Thinking back to the last time you were newly in love, it will come as no surprise to you that the chemicals released into the blood when you were in the attraction stage are very different than those released later in the relationship. After all, if you had stayed in that new love stage, you wouldn’t be unable to accomplish anything except to spend your days pining away for your lover.

Scientists are beginning to identify not only the chemicals involved with “being in love” but also the parts of the brain that are activated. It seems to be an explanation for the anecdotal seven year itch. Well, actually it’s anywhere from 4 to 7, depending on the scientist or journal you are reading.

According to researchers, lust, is the sensation that causes us to go out looking for a mate. It’s the chemicals estrogen and testosterone that are at work here.

Then there’s attraction or being “love struck” . This is the part where you lose your appetite, can’t sleep, get sweaty palms and higher heart rate etc. This keeps us going back for more of this person. The love chemicals at this stage are mostly the same ones that are increased whenever we have a new adventure or excitement: the monoamines. These include dopamine, norepinephidrine, phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin. Basically, these affect us as if taking amphetamines, stimulants and painkillers!

Dopamine makes us feel happy while serotonin and norepinephidrine make us feel more excited. PEA is the big player here which excites us and helps the transition from lust to love. It’s this chemical rush caused by PEA that creates the addiction to being in love we here so much about (Isn’t there a song title of the same name?).

Some people jump from relationship to relationship just for the high of the in love feeling. No doubt, the in love chemicals are HARD and addictive drugs.

Alas, after a couple of years of the excitement stage, comes the attachment stage. These processes overlap one another in that the in love chemicals don’t just disappear but lessen over time and are replaced with other chemicals.

At this stage, oxytocin,, the same chemical involved in childbirth and bonding to the infant, shows up in the blood of both men and women . This stage is often referred to as the attachment stage. Oxytocin is released during orgasm in both men and women. It has been postulated that the more sex the couple has, the more bonded they will become. That’s a good tick by nature, don’t you think?

Vasopressin, also called the monogamy hormone, comes into play during the attachment phase as well. Vasopressin seems to keep us protective of our mates.

Other chemicals, called endorphins are released during and after sex. These give us that “feel good feeling” similar to the feeling after a hard exercise session (endorphins are also released during exercise).

An observation: the in love chemicals take about 2 to 3 years to fade out and be replaced by the bonding chemicals. Have you noticed that this is the time when many people start to find their mates not as interesting or exciting as they once did? Has this happened to you? The person hasn’t changed. The chemicals that attracted you to them have faded. Many people, however, find that the attachment feel good chemicals are much more fulfilling than the attraction chemicals.

Pheromones are the smell chemicals that signal sexual attraction or repulsion. No matter how much you like someone, if they do not smell good to you, the sexual attraction just doesn’t work. It’s said that women on birth control pills will subconsciously seek out men who smell like good protectors and fathers –because the pill simulates pregnancy. But sometimes when these women go off the pill, they suddenly find their mate doesn’t smell attractive anymore. Bummer!

In conclusion: the attraction chemicals fade at about 2 to 3 years and are replaced by the bonding chemicals. The bonding chemicals actually interfere with the exciting “in love” chemicals and create a more “comfortable” bonding love which lasts another few years.

Evolutionarily, the theory is that the couple stays together long enough to raise a child out of infancy. Then both men and women (yes, women are not built for monogamy either) move on and repeat the process. It’s good for the gene pool.

So, if you are addicted to the love/lust chemical high, it’s very important to keep your sexual and romantic life exciting and new. How to do that? Well, that’s a good question for a relationship/marriage counselor!

Resources:
‘The Chemistry of Love” by Dr. Susan Block http://www.counterpunch.org/block02122005.html
”The Science of Love – Cupid’s Chemistry” by Claire McLoughlin
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/clairemcloughlincolumn1.htm/

Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db

About the Author:
Ainsley Laing has been a Fitness Trainer for 27 years and writes exclusively Body for Mind eZine. She holds certifications in Group Exercise, Sports Nutrition and Personal Fitness Training. She is also a professional engineer and mom. To see more articles by Ainsley visit http://www.bodyformind.com or the blog at http://www.bodyformind.blogspot.com

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The Importence of Health and Nutrition as you Age

By: Reginald Curtis

Nutrition is know to interact with the process of aging in many ways. Nutrition problems of the older population are increased due to susceptibility to chronic disease, decreased organ function which may affect digestion and absorption, metabolism, and excretion of nutrients. Eighty percent of people over 65 suffer from at least one chronic disease and nutrition is an important factor on there prevention and recuperation from the disease.

Caloric needs change with aging due to a greater percentage of body fat and lower percentage of lean muscle. Decreased activity can cause further decreases in calories. The challenge is to meet the same nutrient needs as when younger but consuming fewer calories. The answer to this is to choose nutrient dense foods. Protein needs are not thought to change for the elderly, although protein requirements may vary due to restrictions or disease.

Reducing the overall fat content in the diet of an elderly person is reasonable , it is eating no more than 30% of daily calories from fat is desirable. Carbohydrate intake should comprise 60% of the calories. Emphasis should be placed on complex carbohydrate. Glucose tolerance decreases with age and lower refined carb intake puts less stress on your body. Dietary fiber intake is also recommended , and with adequate fluid intake you can achieve normal bowel function. Fiber is also thought to reduce inflammation of the intestines. Veggies, fruits , grain products, cereals, seeds, legumes, and nuts are all good sources of dietary fiber.

Water is the most important and serves many essential functions. Adequate water intake reduced stress on the function of kidneys, which kidney function tends to decline with aging. Consumption of 5-8 glasses of water every day can be beneficial. Aging people do not realize that they are thirsty and can easily become dehydrate and water intake should automatically occur and should not wait till you feel thirsty. It is important that diets planned for the elderly have proper fluid intake.

As the body ages food may not seem as appetizing or smell as appealing due to loss of smell and taste. If an elderly person is told to cut down on salt or sugar food may not be as good to them any more because they need extras for taste. Loss of vision may impair cooking with aging . An elderly person may not know how to read food prices, nutrition labels or may forget how to cook or have fear to cook. These losses are not usually complete but may affect one’s ability to eat healthy.

The need for electrolytes, sodium, and potassium can be altered in the elderly when drugs are used to control certain diseases such as hypertension or heart disease and diet should be modified to fit those needs. The fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body and usually it is thought that the elderly are at lower risk of fat soluble vitamin deficiencies. There is a risk of vitamin A toxicity and vitamin D defiecenicy due to low intake of dairy products. Of all the minerals iron and calcium intakes have been reported to be low in many elderly. Eating a wide selection of foods, including calcium rich foods and low fat diary products is the best advice.

Nurtitional assessments are often done by health care providers because it can help determine is symptoms a patient has is a nutritional deficiency. Overall for any age group, selecting foods from a wide variety which can be eaten and enjoyed is what is important.

Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db

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Give your children the gift of Emotional Intelligence....

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5 Myths About Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer
By: Slavco Stefanoski

MYTH ONE: Tanning Beds are Safer than the Sun

20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun. Although sun beds use UVA rather than UVB rays, 'The Skin Cancer Answer' states that "UV-A penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B, can cause skin cancer, and may suppress the immune system."

MYTH TWO: Wearing Sunscreen at the Beach is Protection

85 percent of UV rays can even make it through on cloudy days. That means you are equally at risk in the car, walking the dog or letting your children out to play at any time of year - even when you're not at the beach. Of course, you are usually less attired at the beach and so covering up is recommended even when wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen also wears off with sweat and water and should always be applied every two hours or after getting wet.

MYTH THREE: Taking Care Of Your Skin Now Will Protect You

Sadly, skin cancer can take 20 or more years to develop. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that most people receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double the risk of melanoma later in life. Taking better care now will reduce the risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.

MYTH FOUR: Having a Tan Means You're More Protected

Dark skinned individuals are less likely to develop cancer, but tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Repeated tanning injures the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

MYTH FIVE: You Can't get Burned on Overcast Days

Just because the sun is hidden by some cloud does not mean that you don't need protection from the harmful effects of the suns rays.

So how do you plan to protect your family this year? Some suggestions are to limit exposure to the sun - especially for infants. Examine your skin for early signs of damage. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure and every two hours after that. Teach your children good safety habits and be sure you and they are covered up when outdoors. Have fun and be safe.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db

About the author:
Slavco Stefanoski is editor at Unique Articles Directory where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info/

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For your health and happiness,

Ainsley & Dave