Sunday, March 20, 2011

Health - Laugh For Better Blood Vessels

Laughing could help to improve blood vessel function!
Laughter relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow -- the exact opposite of what your blood vessels do when you are stressed. Relaxed blood vessels decreases strain on the heart. 
The best way to relax blood vessels is by watching a funny movie. If funny movies aren't your style, spend time with the people who tickle your funny bone.
Blood vessels are lined with a layer of cells called endothelium; they regulate blood flow by helping blood vessels expand and contract. In a small study, healthy men and women watched either a funny movie or an intense, violent one while researchers measured blood flow through an artery in their upper arm.
Watching the funny movie caused blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow by about 22 percent. The action movie caused mental stress and blood vessel constriction, decreasing blood flow by about 35 percent. 
Researchers aren't exactly sure how mood states affect blood vessels. Although health specialists would recommend proper diet and regular exercise as the mainstays of improving blood vessel health, but laughing often is a great adjunct.

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