Old as Methuselah?

Old as Methuselah?  Well not quite, but according to Fox news, there may be an anti-aging drug that can possibly expand human life to an average of 120 years.  In a little while, 60 will be the new 40 and I will truly be 99 and still fine!

Belgian researchers have been testing a drug called Metformin, which is commonly used for diabetes, on roundworms.  The drug helps bring more oxygen to the cells, therefore slowing down the aging process. Metformin will be tried next on humans.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed.  If this is successful, people will be able to live longer and healthier lives.

I always said that I would live to be 128.  Looks like I may get my wish! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Source:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/12/02/new-anti-aging-drug-could-extend-human-life-span-to-120-years.html

Vampire Bambi?

With its fangs hanging ready for action, the Kashmir musk deer reappeared last year in Afghanistan 60 years after its last sighting in1948.  Luckily these herbivores aren’t in search for blood.  A bite from one of their fangs would make a nip from Dracula seem painless!

These fanged bucks bare their teeth to impress hot does, and to fight off other deer.  Unfortunately, while the deer are looking for does, hunters are looking for them.  Their meat is a local delicacy.  Apparently they are worth over $20,455 per pound ($45,000 per kilogram), according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, on the black market.  Their scent glands are used for medicines and perfumes.  Because of destruction of habitat and poaching, the musk deer has become an endangered species, and like vampires, they are pretty darn hard to photograph.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Works cited:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2014/10/31/fanged-deer-pops-up-in-afghanistan-60-years-after-its-last-appearance/

http://www.livescience.com/48585-fanged-deer-sighting-afghanistan.html

It's Real If You Think It's Real...

Your thoughts are very powerful, so powerful that they can determine your physical and mental health.  This is proven by studying how placebos work.  A placebo is a prescribed pseudo-medication such as a sugar pill or salt water injection that is given to a patient under the pretense that it is real medication.  Studies have shown that patients feel better because they think they are being treated when in all actuality, they are not.  The belief that the placebo is real medication causes the brain to release morphine-like chemicals called endorphins to relieve their pain. 

On the opposite spectrum of things, people can experience an equally strong nocebo effect.  If patients are told that the placebo will cause negative side effects, people will start to experience negative side effects even if there is no scientific reason why those side effects should occur.  In one study, placebos were given to patients and told that the side effect was vomiting, by the end of the day, 80% of the patients were vomiting.

The mind is a powerful thing.  It is very true you are what you think you are, and you feel how you think you feel.   Keep mind over matter.  I hope this encourages you to stay positive!  

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com.