corrente

Bush moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform:

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have documented, for the first time, that laughter is in fact good for the heart because it makes blood vessels work more efficiently. The study results, and those of an accompanying research paper reporting that depression can increase the risk of heart failure, were presented last week at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology.

Lead researcher, Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the university in Baltimore, said laughter should not supplant exercise, which also increases blood flow, but should be added to one's daily routine. He suggested 15 minutes of laughter daily and 30 minutes of exercise three times a week to improve heart health.

The researchers specifically analyzed the lining of the blood vessels, called the endothelium, which is the first place where hardening of the arteries, a common form of heart disease is evident. They believe the relaxing of the endothelium was prompted by the release of nitric oxide. The compound relaxes blood vessels much like endorphins do during exercise.

"When you laugh, you have less wear on your joints and you don't have to worry about calories from chocolate," Dr. Millers said at the Orlando meeting.
(via Bangor Daily News)

See, it's all part of His Plan.

If the Bush and the Republicans give us as many opportunities for laughter in the next four years as they have in the last, we're all going to laugh our way to good health! It's kinda like an invisible hand type of thing—one policy pratfall after another, and Presto! No need for universal health insurance!

Send in the clowns! They're good, and good for you!